The siblings stop with only a few feet between them looking at each other in amazement, awe and fear. Fear that if they look away long enough, the other will be gone.

Buck leaps at Maddie before she can even open her mouth. It's filled with apologies and 'I love yous' - everything that's been lacking in the days leading up to her kidnapping. Buck pours it all into her brushing away the tiny tendrils of panic about Doug, and Doug and Maddie, and what Maddie may have gone through.

They pull away and he runs wild eyes over her noting her torn clothes, her shaking form and bloodied features all of which add to his growing guilt.

"Maddie," he breathes out again, unable to stop repeating her name - the feel of it on his lips just like a warm embrace.

"I didn't give up," she sobs.

"How…?" He croaks, moving his head back to stare into her eyes - disbelief clear in them. "How did you get away?"

Maddie freezes. "We were in a cabin at Big Bear and there was a fire poker, Doug was there and he let his guard down," her voice breaks. "I just ran as fast I could before a car finally stopped for me. They tried to get me to call the police."

Buck's hands tighten around hers holding onto her like she could disappear from his very grasp in the blink of an eye.

"I thought he was going to get me," she whispers.

Buck runs frantic hands over her to check for any hidden injury. His eyes are drawn to her split lip and cut cheek, he feels a rush of anger course through him. "Maddie, what did he do to you?"

She bites her lip, but Buck pulls her teeth away with his thumb before she can make it bleed anymore. "I tried to fight back when he first got me, he didn't like it," a dark look flashes across her face. "He never liked it when I fought back."

A look of devastation crosses Buck's face at the realisation that he wasn't there for his sister back then and he still couldn't be there now. "Mads, you're so strong."

Eddie frowns from beside the siblings' reunion. "Maddie, how did you find us?"

Maddie looks a little sheepish. "When I moved away with Doug, I wanted to be able to always know where Evan was. So I asked a witch if she would enchant this necklace," she lifts a chain from around her neck. "So that I would always be able to find you."

A weird look crosses Buck's face before he masks it with a smile. "I don't know whether to be relieved, touched, or a little creeped out."

Maddie smiles tightly. "Can we just settle on relieved?"

Buck's face clears and he brings her back into him arms once again. "Oh Mads- yes definitely relieved, I'm so relieved Maddie. I have so much to say."

She sniffs and rubs her eyes. "Me too, Evan."

"Let's go inside," Buck says, pulling her towards the sanctuary. "There's someone who's going to be very happy to see you."

Maddie blushes. "Is he here?"

"Maddie, of course he is."

Maddie smiles, brightly, "I'm so happy I found you, Evan."

Eddie still has an unsure look on his face as he follows them inside.

Eddie needs to say something to Buck, they need to have a conversation. He's the King of Hell for goodness sake and he can't get his words out. For once he can admit he's afraid; afraid that he could lose Buck forever.

However, he knows that if he doesn't say anything and he loses Buck anyway - that's one regret he can't continue on with.

The pits of Hell have been calling to him for a while now demanding he return to his throne, but for once Eddie wants to go against his duty. He needs Buck like he needs life from the continuous pools dripping in Hell and he would go to the ends of the Earth, to the fires below and the clouds above - all for Buck, if it were to mean he was safe, well, and happy.

Above all things he wants Buck to be happy.

He'll deal with the Hell-side of things later. Maybe.

Now that Maddie's back Eddie wants to try to explain himself to Buck again, the disruption of Maddie's kidnapping interrupted Eddie's spiel and the heightened emotions didn't help one bit.

"Buck, can we talk?" Eddie asks, slowly approaching him like he's a wild animal that's either going to spook or lash out.

"Little late for that," Buck says, bitterly.

Eddie sighs, scrubbing a hand across his face, days-old stubble scraping against his fingertips. "Buck, please?"

Buck's face tightens and he has to reign himself in from spitting out words that would potentially ruin them forever. For an angel, he's never been good at dealing with anger.

His emotions were already out of control because of Maddie's kidnapping, and then the whiplash of suddenly having her back again, Buck hasn't been able to truly focus on his situation with Eddie.

"Make it quick," he grits out.

He's acting irrational - he knows - Eddie's the only one who's been there for him the whole time.

"I… I just need this chance to explain the full story, there's more to it - it's not what it looks like on the surface."

"You've told me the full story. When we first met you wanted to hurt me, you didn't like me, you played me."

"No, you don't understand, Buck!" Eddie exclaims.

Buck scoffs, he's heard that one before. "Then explain it to me!"

"I'm trying! We see angels differently down there, I had never met one like you before ever."

"You see angels differently?" He repeats.

"There's always been this rivalry, they all have this holier-than-thou attitude and are constantly trying to get under my skin," Eddie looks flushed with emotion. "I thought you were some weapon they made to… I don't know, undermine me."

"Some weapon?" Buck crosses his arms over his chest.

Eddie curses. "That came out wrong."

"You think?"

"Buck when I saw you, I didn't want to kill you," Eddie admits. "I wanted to get to know you."

"That makes it so much better," Buck drawls, not wanting to admit that it sort of did. All he feels is conflicted - not knowing whether to trust his heart and just dive in or listen to his head telling him to protect himself.

"When I came to Earth and entered that club I had every intention of killing you, of finding out why you were here," Eddie explains, eyes bright with emotion. "But as soon as I saw you, when we first interacted and then we kissed. Every day since then, I've been making excuse after excuse to hide the fact that I've been falling in love with you this whole time."

Buck's eyes brim with tears during Eddie's speech and he shakes his head. "You can't just say stuff like that to me, Eddie. I can't handle it."

"It's the truth," Eddie implores.

Buck takes a shaky breath, struggling to hold back his emotions. "I need some air."

Eddie goes to say something but draws himself back, he seems to be doing that a lot lately especially around Buck, instead, he nods. "Okay."

"Okay," Buck murmurs, heading out the door of the sanctuary.

Eddie sits down with his head in his hands. The whole time he'd been lying to Buck it had felt like nothing, but he had been hiding from him the entire time and he's afraid that he's tipped them so far over the edge they won't be able to come back from this.

On the other side of the sanctuary, the others are all gathered together. Chim with his arms wrapped around Maddie's waist, tight enough that his worry is still evident like he's afraid that if he lets go she'll be gone again. The way Maddie's hand is clenching onto the arms around her says the same message.

"Doesn't anyone think it was too easy?" Athena says, looking thoughtful. The whole situation's confused her and she could tell it had made Eddie suspicious too, but he was so worked up about the ongoing fight between him and Buck.

Maddie frowns and purses her split lip. "What do you mean?"

"Well, no offence Maddie but you're human and you escaped an angel."

Everyone is silent letting Athena's words sink in.

Then Maddie's hand comes up to cover her mouth, she looks mortified as she says, "and I ran straight to Buck."

"What if that was his plan the whole time?" Bobby asks, looking afraid.

"Kidnap Maddie, let her escape and be led right to Buck," Chim murmurs, a horrified expression across his face as his arms tighten around Maddie. "To let our guards down."

"To let Buck's guard down," Bobby whispers, jumping up and looking around. "This was always about Buck," distress spilling out as he looks around for his son.

The others do the same, Hen spotting Eddie across the building - he always knows where Buck is. His eyes follow Buck wherever he goes, it's hard to miss, the only one who does is… well, Buck.

"Where's Buck?" Hen asks hurriedly, rushing over to where Eddie's sat with his head in his hands.

Eddie turns to her in confusion. "He went out to get some air."

"How long ago was that?"

Eddie stiffens before rushing outside.

"Dammit!" He shouts, turning towards the others as they run out to join him - there's anguish and a fit of deep fiery anger in his eyes as he says, "They got him."

When Buck comes to he doesn't know where he is. The last thing he remembers is being so overwhelmed by Eddie's confession he needed to go outside for some air, some space, just to gather his thoughts.

Next thing he knows he's waking up with a pounding headache, bound hands, and cold snow melting under his back.

He moves bleary eyes around his surroundings, noting the forest and the cabins, then the weather paired with it. Oh, he knows this place. Big Bear, which means…

"Looks like Sleeping Beauty is finally awake."

Buck's whole body stiffens and he swings his glare around to the man standing in front of him, the man he's always wanted to get back at for making his sister suffer.

"Doug," he growls.

"Well if it isn't the littlest Buckley," Doug says, with a mocking smile. "Do you know how hard it's been trying to get my hands on you? You do like to make things difficult."

"Can't say I'm sorry for making your plans for taking over the world so difficult," Buck sneers.

Doug's eyes narrow. "You always were a little shit."

Buck gives a saccharine smile back. "Guilty as charged." He takes in his surroundings again, noting with alarm how deep they seemed to be in Big Bear and how empty it all looked. No one would be able to hear him from out here - perhaps that was Doug's plan the whole time. Maddie easily escaping and reuniting with them made it so easy for him and Buck had walked out of that sanctuary all by himself; easy prey for the taking.

Something's off though. Whilst looking at Doug he notices that he sees only Doug before him. "I don't understand, I thought there were more of you?" He looks around in confusion.

Doug scowls. "There was, but the cowards decided they didn't want to oppose daddy's word."

Buck's face twists. "Daddy's word?"

Doug waves him off. "It doesn't matter, now that I have you I'm one step closer."

Buck grimaces in disgust, not liking his leering words. It makes him wonder just what Doug is going to do with him - is he going to use him or kill him?

He doesn't know which one he'd rather have more.

"So you're all by yourself?" Buck asks, trying to glean more information. He'll need it if he's got even a small chance of trying to escape.

Doug's face darkens. "They decided to change their minds."

"Change their minds?" Buck echoes.

Doug finally looks to him again, moving eyes along his body. "They changed their minds about you."

"About me?" Buck feels like a broken record right now.

"They decided that they didn't mind your existence, they began to… admire you?"

"Admire me?" Buck says, incredulously. What do people have to admire him for? There's no reason for anyone to admire him; he's practically a dud angel.

Doug looks at him in disgust. "I know, I don't know what anyone sees in you."

Buck tries not to let him see how that gets to him, it's nothing he hasn't heard before from his parents, from teachers, past lovers.

"Maybe they just got tired of following someone like you?" Buck says bravely, albeit he realises, probably stupidly too. His parents always did say he doesn't know when to shut his mouth.

"What did you just say to me?" Doug moves closer to him, gripping him by the hoodie that he's wearing. Buck realises how screwed he is right now, his legs are unbound - but his hands aren't, it's going to be difficult trying to defend himself.

If Doug tries to harm him, he doesn't know how he'll get out of it.

After seeing the aftermath of Maddie's experience with Doug, he knows it's inevitable.

Buck grimaces as Doug gets closer to him trying to move away from his hot breath.

"You know I initially got with Maddie to get to you," Doug admits and Buck scowls at the mention of his sister's name on that bastard's lips. "But I did like her and with you out of the way, she can be all mine."

Buck struggles and tries to stand, to meet Doug head-on. "She was never yours."

Doug gives him a sickeningly sweet smile like he's talking to a child who just doesn't understand. "We'll see. When you're dead, I'll be one step closer to having everything I've ever wanted."

Buck then remembers, Maddie's necklace, they were coming for him. If there's one he's grateful for now, it's his sister's incessant worrying and her overprotective nature. He just needs to hang on a little longer because deep down in his heart he knows Eddie would burn the entire world just to find him again, Eddie would walk through flames and protect him with every inch of his being. Buck craves Eddie presence beside him right now to chase away all the fears and insecurities Doug is trying to inflict on him.

Eddie will be the first one here, he repeats to himself, he just needs to hold on a little longer.

Buck kicks Doug away with his feet, his foot connecting with his stomach and sending him sprawling onto the snow-covered floor. He moves onto his knees getting to his feet, trying to make a break for it. But before he can a hand grabs his ankle.

Buck yelps as he's flung back to the floor, the snow cushioning his fall - but biting into his skin like tiny, cold blades.

"You're not getting away," Doug hisses, pulling on Buck's ankle more to drag him towards him. Buck tries to kick him again, his foot catching Doug's chin - he flips himself onto his back, only to be met with the looming figure of Doug leaning over him.

"Get off me," Buck cries, punching his hands into Doug's face - he doesn't move, instead it makes him angrier.

A blade glints on the inside of Doug's sleeve.

Buck feels the hope trickle out of him, he's screwed. Doug isn't letting him leave this forest alive. He's so alone out here, in the middle of nowhere it could be a while until he's found.

There's a blur of movement, it's dark and Buck knows he should be scared. He still remembers that time when he was a child and couldn't sleep in the dark without the help of the little white mouse light that Maddie had got him. Now though, it feels like a comfort, surprisingly warm and… familiar.

Eddie.

His binds are removed and he can free his hands, can finally grip onto Eddie - can feel him himself. "Eddie."

Eddie's hands tighten where they're wrapped around Buck's wrists, massaging lightly over the beginnings of forming bruises.

"I've got you," Eddie whispers making Buck whimper at the sound of his voice.

"You came," his head feels light, loopy even - everything surreal around him. The vision of Eddie blurring and clearing before him. Buck hopes to all hell this isn't a figment of his imagination.

"Eddie," Buck repeats.

Eddie's eyes widen at something behind them. "Watch out!" He shouts, pulling Buck to the ground with him. A ball of fire flies over both of their heads and explodes into a tree igniting it immediately. Eddie's arm moves slowly from where they're covering Buck's head, they both look up as the forest starts to light up with them trapped on the inside.

Buck scrambles to his feet trying to look for a way out.

"Buck no!" Eddie yells, he hates himself for not thinking through his actions. Now he knows why he's constantly reamed for his recklessness.

Standing in front of him is Doug lit up in a cerulean glow, an evil, triumphant smirk twisted on his face.

Buck doesn't know how he's going to get out of this.

Bright blue flames, that's all that Buck can see coming towards him - his feet rooted to the spot, unable to move.

Everything happens so fast.

Eddie screams his name and then suddenly Buck can't see the blue flames anymore because Eddie has jumped in front of them, taking the hit meant for Buck to the chest instead.

"Eddie!" Buck falls into him with crazed hands and a wild expression.

Blood that's all Buck can see, blood and Eddie. A combination he never wanted to see. He always thought Eddie was invincible, that they had more time.

Eddie looks at Buck with wide eyes. "Are you hurt?"

Buck looks down at himself, just to check, for Eddie. It makes him wish that he was that it wasn't Eddie lying hurt in front of him.

"No, no I'm alright."

Buck grabs Eddie with shaky hands, tears already falling down his cheeks. "Eddie," he gasps scrambling on all fours to look over the black wound seeping blood on his chest. "Why did you do that?"

"The thought of you being hurt is so much more painful," Buck closes his eyes, the guilt overwhelming him. Eddie is hurt because of him, because of his love for Buck.

He did this.

"But… why is it…" His hands hover over Eddie's chest. Buck doesn't want to touch the wound, it's still leaking not closing over.

"Angel fire," Eddie gasps out.

A look of realisation crosses Buck's face. "I thought you said you weren't an angel."

Eddie laughs brokenly, every movement a struggle for him. "I lied."

Despair fills Buck, and he shakes his head in denial. "No," It couldn't happen, not like this. Buck pulls on Eddie hoping for something, anything. "Eddie please."

"It's okay, Buck," Eddie croaks. "It's okay."

"It's not okay," Buck chokes out, a sob building its way in the back of his throat just waiting to come out and render him completely useless.

Eddie's eyes scrunch up with concern and love, so much love. He opens his mouth to say something.

"There's more where that came from," a voice says from behind him making Buck's head snap up, he had forgotten about Doug. He did this to Eddie, rage like he's never felt before crashes into him as he turns to meet Doug, standing shakily as he does.

This time he doesn't have to control his anger.

He looks down at Eddie who's looking back at Buck with fear in his eyes, Buck has never seen Eddie this fearful before, but he knows that this fear… it's for him.

"I've had enough of you hurting the people I love," Buck growls out.

Doug laughs mockingly. "And what are you going to do about that? You're nothing."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Buck says, and he feels it, he finally feels it - all the power rushing through him, sparking alive inside of him after being dormant for so many years.

His purpose radiates so clearly and he finally understands.

Since he was a child, Buck knew there was something inside of him, something just waiting to let out. All his life he's been underestimated and misjudged, they believed him to be weak and vulnerable; powerless.

But he wasn't, he never was.

If anything it's just been lying in wait for someone or something to finally set it free, to set him free.

He's taken back to a memory he has of him and his parents, just before their trip to Big Bear.

They're walking back from church, his parents beside Maddie and Maddie beside him with her hand clutched into his small one - guiding him along the way. Every now and again, she would swing their arms together in one big motion - with noises paired along with it. It made him giggle and light up every time.

His parents were casting wary glances over to both of them, then Maddie did it again and she told him she loved him in her sweet voice. That never failed to make him positively gleam.

However, his mother didn't seem to like that as her eyes-widened and mouth opened in outrage."Evan," she snaps. "Stop doing that."

Evan stares up at her, wide eyes, blinking innocently in confusion and naivety.

"He's not doing anything," Maddie says, defensively shielding Evan with her body as if she'd be enough to stop them completely.

Evan was vibrating underneath her, this time in fear instead of happiness.

"You know that he is," Margaret replies, talking down to Maddie like she's a child - like Maddie wasn't the one raising and loving him this whole time. It makes Evan's hackles rise in defence for his sister, but he's learnt by now that it's always better when he stays quiet.

"He doesn't understand," Maddie begs, her hand tightening around Evan's.

Ignoring her, Margaret hisses to him."Control yourself, Evan," she turns angry eyes his way, it makes him flinch underneath the glare.

He doesn't understand what she's saying, what he's done, he never did.

It was so long ago that Maddie probably doesn't remember.

From that day on, he learns not to let his emotions control him again. He doesn't let himself feel to the full capacity. He locks a part of himself away, shoves in down and throws away the key.

It's the love between him and Eddie that open that part of him again.

It was always going to be Eddie, he should've known the moment they collided in that nightclub and something lit inside of Buck he hadn't felt in a long time. The way Eddie's presence brought out all the secrets that were being kept from him and opened his eyes to the world before him.

Eddie saved him from living a life in the dark feeling on outskirts, alone. Now it's his turn to save Eddie.

So many memories rush through him: Athena saying he has a heart of gold, Bobby introducing him as his son for the first time, reuniting with Maddie, going out with Hen and Chim where they laugh until their bellies hurt and Chim's drink comes out of his nose, and finally Eddie telling him that he loves him.

That's the most powerful of them all.

He glows, but he doesn't just glow. Now he can see it. That piece of him that's been pushed down for all those years, he's found it again. Buck shines, it explodes from within him coming out of his hands and hitting Doug square in the chest. Just like Doug had done to Eddie.

There's smug satisfaction surrounding Buck as Doug goes down, knocked out cold. Deep down, Buck knows he's not a killer.

Buck turns around and his face completely drops with the realisation that Eddie is still on the floor, a shivering figure with a grimace on his face, but there's a sharp concern in his eye, for Buck, always for Buck.

"I knew you could do it," Eddie says, softly when Buck finally reaches him again.

A lump forms in the back of his throat and he finds it hard to push his words out. "I don't know where it came from."

Eddie gives him a look, a cross between unamused and annoyance. "I always believed in you." He then coughs, it's harsh and filled with pain - his body jerking unnaturally. Buck cries in anguish.

"Eddie," Buck whispers, brokenly. "You need to know…"

Eddie's eyes meet his brown depths, still so warm, so inviting - making Buck want to drown in the comfort of them. Even after everything Buck has said to him, the resistance and hurtful words he spewed. Eddie still looks at him that way.

"I do believe you care for me," Buck cries. "I was just scared, so scared of my feelings, so scared that you'd leave me." He clutches Eddie's hand in his, brings it to his chest. "But I'm not afraid anymore."

Eddie gives him a look filled with despair, love, and regret. Regret of all the time lost between them, Buck can't stand to see that look on his face wants to snatch it away and make sure it never crosses Eddie's expression again.

"I used your lies as a shield to protect myself from getting even more hurt," he explains. "After everything yours was just a kick in teeth. I pushed you away and I'm sorry," Buck gasps. "I didn't mean it, of course I didn't."

Eddie grins, wryly - his eyes all-knowing. "I know."

"And you should know that… that I do," Buck whispers bring Eddie's hand to lips. "I do love you."

Eddie's smile turns brilliant before slipping off his face, his hand going limp in Buck's.

"No," Buck says, moving his hands to cup Eddie's cheeks and tapping it lightly. "Come on, please."

They needed more time.

His forehead meets Eddie's. "Please come back," a tear slide down his cheek and now they won't stop.

Eddie doesn't move again.

They only had two kisses, the second one shouldn't even count. But that one kiss, that one kiss in the club will stay with Buck forever. He can still taste the lingering tingles Eddie's touch behind, can picture the fire Eddie ignited in him and kept lit the whole time he was around.

Buck never wanted to stop kissing Eddie and now he won't ever get to do it again.

But he needs this.

"I love you." He says it one last time, whilst he can still feel the warmth in Eddie's body, and presses one last kiss to Eddie's lips.

A singular tear lands on Eddie's cheek.

Suddenly, everything is bathed in a golden light. It's like something out of a movie, but no, this is real life and Buck can feel his power. His power thrums within him into Eddie; elevated and ignited by emotion. By love, their love.

Is it enough to save him?

The piece of himself that's finally been unlocked, broken free - Buck gets it now.

Eddie's entire chest is covered in his golden glow, Buck can see the wound knitting itself together and dispersing the darkness that was left behind.

Buck holds his breath.

Colour flushes back into Eddie's skin and Buck doesn't let himself hope, not until he knows for sure - not until he can finally look into those warm eyes again, can hear his voice, can be touched by him.

Eddie eyes slowly blink open, it leaves Buck sobbing in relief, finally breathing out as he leans over him.

"Eddie, oh my-"

"Shhhh," Eddie says, placing a finger to his lips. "Don't say that bastard's name while we're having a moment."

Buck chokes out a laugh. "And I'm the dramatic one."

Eddie moves his finger from Buck's lips to trace the rest of his face lingering on his birthmark, "Beautiful."

Buck flushes a bright pink, all the way down to his toes, trust Eddie to say something sappy after coming back from the dead. "Eddie, stop. You sap."

"What? It's the truth."

Buck smiles, a bright one that stretches all along his face and lights up his eyes. Being with Eddie, after the threat of never seeing him ever again, has given him so much happiness that he doesn't know what to do with it. He's basically vibrating on top of Eddie trying so hard not to bounce and disrupt his healing wound.

And Eddie is still the same as he always has been, still looks at Buck the same too. They haven't lost anything.

"You're glowing," Eddie says in awe.

"Only you," Buck whispers, bringing his nose to Eddie's own and staring deeply at him. "Since we met, it's only ever been for you." Buck can feel it now too, the part of him that was disconnected from his other half now fully formed. He's whole, so in tune with his angel side that he feels weightless and so bright.

But also so in love.

The missing piece in his life was also Eddie and now he has it all. Never in his life did he think he would deserve something like this, he never thought he would ever allow himself to be this happy.

The happy he is right now.

"This is all a very nice sentiment."

Buck hasn't realised that Doug stirred, not until he sees him standing over him an angel-knife poised in his hand.

Eddie's eyes flash, but he's still too weak to call on any of his power and Buck can only smack the weapon from his hand - not able to fully knock Doug himself away. Everything happens so fast, Buck leaps over Eddie hoping to shield him this time despite Eddie's protects from underneath him.

"No!" A voice cries out from somewhere coming into a view with the blade that had fallen onto the floor. Maddie. She lunges and stabs Doug in the back, making him howl. "I refuse to let you take anything else away from me," she hisses in his ear before twisting the knife. "You can't control me anymore."

Doug's face shoots out light from his eyes and mouth, it looks as if it should be gold but it's rusted, muddy. His body then slumps to the floor.

Gone.

Buck gapes at his sister standing in front of him and once again feels blessed that she's on his side, that she's his family. From behind her, he sees the faces of his family - Bobby, Athena, Hen, Chim - all there to save him and it brings tears to his eyes and sends love straight to his heart as he stares at all the people who care for him. He gets it now.

Chimney currently resembles one of those cartoon characters with love hearts shooting out of their eyes. He almost laughs at Chim's reaction to his sister (if he wasn't so in shock himself.)

Buck looks back over at Maddie whose eyes are scanning his entire body checking for any sign of injury or harm.

"You're incredible," Buck blurts out to her, still stunned.

Eddie snorts from underneath him, before hissing in pain. The wound is going down and now only a pink mark is left, but it's still tender and Eddie still needs to gain his strength back.

"Buck, are you okay?" Maddie asks, frantically as if she (a human) didn't just single-handedly save his life and end an angel rebellion.

Buck nods, wordlessly. "Yeah," he finally croaks. "Thanks to you and Eddie," he jolts, Eddie who he is currently still on top of and who's healing from a life-threatening injury because he jumped in front of fire meant for Buck.

Buck scrambles off Eddie noting his put-out expression, before helping him up as well. He holds onto Eddie tightly when he stumbles, they both lean into each other - unable to put anymore space between them, not with everything now out in the open.

"Eddie… you sacrificed… why… why did you do that?" Buck stammers out.

"Because I don't ever want your light to go out," Eddie says, gently cupping his face and pulling him into the most earth-shattering kiss he's ever received. Buck's toes curls as he leans into Eddie, letting him take the lead and his bodyweight knowing Eddie will never let him fall.

This is probably what it feels like to fly, Buck thinks, to be an untethered bird soaring in the sky; free.

Finally, free.