"Remind me to never leave you alone in the kitchen again," Buck moaned as he leaned his head back over the edge of the bathtub. Eddie would've warned him about the bad angle and to try not to hurt his neck, but his own head was currently shoved into his toilet bowl. And he didn't really feel like he had the right to give advice on anything, since this was all his fault.
It was supposed to be a romantic day at home for the two of them. They had the day off and Christopher was having a sleepover with Hen and Karen. There were no chores to be done or responsibilities to be taken care of. It was just Eddie and Buck, left to do whatever they wanted. And since they'd begun dating in secret a few weeks back, of course they wanted to spend the time with each other.
Eddie wanted to give Buck a bit of the domestic life he craved, but never got to fully enjoy or indulge in before. A lazy day at home with the person he loved, while being taken care of. And maybe Eddie had bitten off more than he could chew with a few of the details, but he wanted to give Buck the world. That ended up being his downfall.
The quiche seemed like an easy enough recipe when he found it, but it was also different enough to impress Buck. Although he knew deep down that Buck would swoon over a box of stale cereal if Eddie handed it to him, he still wanted to put in the effort. The man who put his all into everything deserved the same done for him. And Eddie knew he made the right call when Buck's face lit up at the sight of it.
For a few hours after breakfast, everything seemed fine. They lazed around on the couch, watching movies and sharing slow kisses, without fear of being interrupted. Their relationship wasn't a secret from Christopher, since they both wanted his blessing before changing the dynamic. He'd been completely supportive, happy for any reason to have Buck around more often. They obviously kept things PG around him though, since any sort of kissing was gross to him.
Most of the afternoon, they just talked. It didn't matter how long they'd been friends or how many hours of conversations they shared at the firehouse, they never ran out of things to talk about. Eddie was unendingly fascinated by all the different directions Buck's mind went and could listen to him speak about anything. And Buck could draw more out of him than anyone Eddie had ever met. What they had was easy.
Eddie set up a full candlelit dinner experience in his kitchen, with a table runner and cloth napkins. He even borrowed a set of good china from his abuela, to her utter confusion. They were going to tell everyone about their relationship eventually, but for now they only wanted it for themselves. As soon as everyone knew, they would invite in judgment and opinions. Being in their own bubble was nice.
Dinner was when they started to realize something wasn't quite right. Eddie had made a lasagna, which was a recipe he'd pinched from Bobby. In his opinion, it was quite good. But a few bites in, he could feel himself starting to sweat. And then there was a bubbly feeling in the pit of his stomach. Definitely not like the usual butterflies when he was around Buck. Eddie was about to brush it off as a bout of nerves when he looked up and saw Buck looking unusually green. Before he could even question him, Buck was out of his seat and barreling down the hallway toward the bathroom. Eddie quickly stood to follow him, but was hit with a wave of vertigo as soon as he was upright. He had to hold onto his chair for a few seconds to get his bearings, but as soon as he heard the sound of Buck getting sick, Eddie pushed his own feelings to the background and rushed to his side.
Buck was hunched over the toilet when he got there, heaving into the bowl. Eddie plopped down next to him, rubbing his back as it clenched with the strain of getting sick. The smell of it was almost enough to send Eddie over the edge as well, but he swallowed everything down so he could support Buck.
As soon as Buck got a bit of respite, Eddie flushed the toilet and grabbed a towel. He dabbed at Buck's sweaty face, looking him over with his medic's eye. Buck was less green, but paler than the sun-kissed bronze he'd come to know. And his eyes were a little red after the stress his body had just been put through.
"You okay?" Eddie asked, running the back of his hand across Buck's face. Warm, but not hot.
"Ugh," Buck groaned in response, resting his chin on his chest. Eddie wanted to keep taking care of Buck, but there was a pressing matter he couldn't ignore any longer.
"Hold that thought," Eddie mumbled, before leaning into the toilet and letting loose his own stream of sickness. Buck rubbed his back just as he had, helping him work through his body's struggle. And that's how they stayed for the next few hours, trading the toilet back and forth between them.
"Maybe we can take a cooking class together?" Buck suggested, tossing Eddie the towel they were sharing as soon as he pulled his head from the toilet bowl again. It was kind of gross, but once you'd gotten puke on the person you were dating, boundaries pretty much flew out the window.
"Please don't talk about anything food related," Eddie moaned, resting his cheek on the seat of the toilet. Disgusting, but cool on his overheated skin. "And I'll be sticking to cereal only after this."
"I mean, I thought the frittata tasted fine."
"It was a quiche."
"Oh."
"Doesn't matter what it was, since it was poison," Eddie spat, feeling completely disappointed in himself. He couldn't even get through one day without messing something up. And of course someone else had to suffer due to his mistakes.
"Hey, it wasn't poison. Eggs can be tricky. And look on the bright side."
"There's a bright side?"
"At least it's only coming out one end," Buck grinned.
"Buck," Eddie groaned, rubbing his stomach as it flipped at the thought. That definitely would be worse. In a pinch, they could both throw up in the toilet at the same time or have one of them use the trash can. The other side was a bit more tricky.
"We need to get out of this bathroom. We're gonna get dehydrated soon after throwing up so much," Buck said, running a hand down his face.
"I know. Give me a minute and I'll figure something out," Eddie sighed, gearing himself up to force himself to do something productive. His legs felt like jelly without him even trying to stand and his arms were doing all they could to hold himself over the bowl as he got sick, but this was his fault so he was going to do what he had to do for Buck.
"I already figured out what to do. I'm calling Maddie," Buck scoffed, digging in his pockets for his phone.
"What? Why?" Eddie asked, grimacing at the idea of anyone seeing them like this.
"Because she used to be a nurse and knows what to do in situations like these. I'll just ask her to drop off a bag of supplies for us."
"I know what to do too. I'm a field medic, Buck."
"And if the quiche decides to stab us or something, I'll defer to your expertise," Buck chuckled, bringing the phone up to his ear.
"But-"
"Hey Mads, I'm puking!" Buck said brightly, in lieu of a normal greeting. Eddie closed his eyes and groaned. He wondered if he could die of embarrassment. "No big deal, just a little case of food poisoning at Eddie's. I was wondering if you could bring us a few things to help us out."
"Something to put me out of my misery," Eddie muttered into his arm.
"Ignore him. That's just Eddie being dramatic," Buck laughed. "We're not that bad off, it would just be a little easier if we had some things to tide us over until we're feeling better. Christopher had the flu a few weeks back and we blew through all our supplies." Eddie frowned as he remembered that ordeal. Christopher had come home with a mystery illness that kids always seemed to be able to concoct at school, passing germs to each other until it became a super bug. Eddie had been run ragged after a day of dealing with it all and texted Buck during a moment of complete exhaustion. Less than an hour later and Buck was on their doorstep, arms full of supplies to help out. That was the moment that Eddie knew he was in love with the man, even though he'd never been able to admit it to himself before. They shared their first kiss the next morning after Christopher was finally sleeping soundly and the rest was history.
Eddie usually looked back on that memory fondly, but now he couldn't. Christopher being sick was always terrible, but he'd brightened up so much when Buck showed up. And they worked together at home just as well as they did in the field. But now that Buck needed that same help from Eddie, he was failing. He couldn't even do something as basic as making sure he replaced the Pedialyte and crackers.
"Eds, what's wrong?" Buck asked in concern. Eddie glanced up at him, not having realized that he'd gotten off the phone. Or that he'd begun tearing up as he thought about his failures.
"I'm sorry," Eddie sniffled, feeling his cheeks heat up in embarrassment. It was bad enough throwing up in front of someone, but crying was just as mortifying. He knew Buck would never judge him for it, but it burned him up inside just the same.
"Eddie."
"I just wanted to take care of you and I can't even do that. God, why are you with me?"
"Stop that," Buck lightly chastised, shifting over so he could rest his head on top of Eddie's. It wasn't the most comfortable position, since they were pretzeled up inside the tiny bathroom, but Eddie would never say no to the contact. "You take care of me every day by making me happy. There's nothing wrong with needing a little extra help sometimes."
"But you deserve everything," Eddie sighed, clasping Buck's hand and setting it in his lap.
"And you and Chris give me more than I could've ever dreamed of everyday," Buck replied, pressing a kiss to Eddie's sweaty temple. They stayed curled up around each other, appreciating the reprieve from throwing up. Eddie was going to have to figure out a way to make this day up to Buck, even if he insisted there was no need. The love of his life wasn't going to have to settle for anything anymore.
"Hello?" Maddie called out suddenly. They both jolted up, staring at each other in panic for a few seconds before scrambling to their previous spots. This would not be the ideal way for people to find out about their relationship.
"In here!" Buck called out as soon as they were situated. Eddie hid his face in his elbow as he waited for the humiliation to commence. At least it was only Maddie.
"Oh, you poor things," Maddie cooed as she walked into the bathroom. She tiptoed her way inside, kneeling down in the small space.
"Hey Mads, how did you get in?"
"Oh Evan, do you really think I don't know how to pick a lock?" Maddie laughed, rifling around in her bag. Eddie peeked his head up just as she shoved a thermometer into Buck's mouth.
"I'm sorry you had to come down here," Eddie said quietly. He hadn't been around Maddie that often before, but Eddie knew she was a good person. Why else would he and Chimney both be goners for the Buckley siblings?
"None of that. I've kind of missed being able to take care of my little brother," Maddie grinned, pulling the thermometer out of Buck's mouth as soon as it beeped. "Not bad." Maddie swiped an alcohol wipe across the tip.
"You don't-" That was all Eddie was able to get out before the thermometer was slipped under his own tongue. He had enough home training to keep his mouth shut and not argue, even though this was completely unnecessary. Maddie could focus on Buck and leave Eddie to languish.
"Well, I don't think either of you are in danger of your brains melting out of your skulls," Maddie said with a nod as she checked the thermometer again. She put it back in her bag, digging around for something else.
"You really don't have to stay. You shouldn't have to take on all this work alone."
"I'm not," Maddie grinned.
"Whoa! It smells like death in here!"
"Oh God," Eddie groaned, tucking his face back in his elbow. Just when he thought things couldn't get any worse.
"Chim, leave the boys alone. They are obviously not in a good state," Hen chastised.
"And I think you just volunteered yourself for bathroom cleanup," Bobby added.
"Maddie, why?" Buck asked. "All we needed was Gatorade and some crackers."
"I called in reinforcements, so sue me. Knowing you two, I figured you were downplaying the severity of your illness," Maddie defended.
"I've got a fully stocked first aid kit and IVs ready to go."
"Hen."
"You turned a crushed leg into a pulmonary embolism, Buck. I'm not taking any chances."
"That wasn't my fault," Buck pouted.
"And was this? Who even gets food poisoning these days?"
"It was my fault," Eddie sighed, pulling his head out of his hiding spot. He couldn't let them blame Buck for any of this. "Stupid quiche."
"Why on earth did you try to make a quiche?" Chimney asked incredulously. "No offense, but you aren't exactly known for your skills in the kitchen."
"It tasted really good," Buck argued, defending Eddie even though he'd suffered because of him.
"What were you guys up to?" Hen asked, sounding incredibly suspicious. Eddie wasn't sure why they were being interrogated while they were sick on the floor. Wasn't everyone there to help take care of them? Or so they claimed.
"I was trying out new recipes. Buck agreed to be my guinea pig," Eddie lied. It was a perfectly reasonable excuse, especially with how things turned out. The two of them getting sick was much better than the same happening to Christopher.
"Riiight," Hen replied, dragging out the word.
"Hen," Bobby warned.
"I didn't say anything," Hen said, holding her hands up in surrender.
"Seeing as how neither of you have gotten sick since we've been here, that might mean you're past the worst of this. But the real test will be after we've gotten some liquids in you," Maddie declared.
"I figure you'd like to try to drink something before we resort to an IV," Bobby said, reaching over everyone to hand him and Buck each a bottle.
"Thanks," Eddie said warily, glancing between the drinks, the toilet, and their friends. If this didn't settle in their stomachs well, it wasn't going to be a pretty sight. Throwing up in front of Buck was one thing, but this big of an audience was different.
"How about we give them a little privacy?" Bobby suggested. Eddie loved the man. "We can get things set up for the rest of the night."
"If you get sick, you better not try to hide it. I'll know," Maddie warned, pointing a stern finger at both of them before standing up and walking out of the bathroom. As soon as they were officially alone again, Eddie flopped his head back down on the toilet seat with a groan.
"Guinea pig, huh?" Buck snorted, taking a cautious sip of his drink.
"I didn't know what else to say. I didn't think now was the right time to… you know," Eddie said quietly, gesturing between the two of them. "Especially with everyone on top of us like that."
"It's fine, I get it. I've been called worse things," Buck waved off with a smirk. "I can wait a little bit longer to be called your boyfriend."
"If you'll still even want to be after this," Eddie sighed, grimacing at the taste of his own drink. If he could live the rest of his life without eating or drinking again, he wouldn't mind it at the moment.
"You're not getting rid of me that easily."
Eddie and Buck sat in the bathroom for another half hour, sipping their drinks and praying for the ability to keep it down. They felt a little silly about calling for help since the worst seemed to be truly over, but it was kind of comforting to have the others there as backup, even if they did like to tease a bit too much. It was better to have help when you didn't need it, than to have no one when you did.
"You think you boys are ready to turn in for the night?" Bobby asked from the doorway, thankfully alone.
"Sure," Eddie agreed, almost swooning at the thought of laying down on his soft bed after hours on the hard bathroom floor. His excitement was probably what made him forget his current state, because he pushed himself to his feet with the help of the toilet, then almost fell right back down due to lightheadedness.
"Whoa," Bobby said, catching him before he could do any damage to himself. "I meant with help."
"Right," Eddie mumbled, closing his eyes until the room stopped feeling like it was moving. "Sorry."
"Just let me help you. And tell your partner in crime to wait until I come back before he tries to move," Bobby replied, giving Buck a stern look until the man reluctantly sat back down the few inches he'd raised up. Bobby threw Eddie's arm over his shoulder and helped support his weight as they shuffled down the hallway to his bedroom.
"I really do appreciate you all coming to help, even if it doesn't seem like it. I just hate having to be taken care of," Eddie said, feeling embarrassed at his show of weakness. Even though he made a career of helping people, it still felt wrong to accept it himself.
"We get it. We're all terrible patients and hardheaded to a fault," Bobby replied, not making a big deal of it. Bless the man. Eddie finally made it to his bedroom, finding the blankets already turned down and buckets on either side of the bed. There were also more drinks and crackers on the nightstands. "I figured you and Buck could share, if you don't mind. I was gonna take the couch, just in case."
"Sharing is fine, but you really don't have to stay," Eddie protested weakly, because he had to.
"I don't have to, but I want to," Bobby said firmly, nudging Eddie to climb into his bed. He sank down into the mattress, sighing in relief. Being sick for hours took a lot out of a person, no matter the shape they were in. It felt like he'd done a week of back to back 24 hour shifts.
"Thanks," Eddie murmured, resting his aching head on his pillow. He must've drifted off because the next thing he knew, Bobby was helping Buck onto the other side of the bed. Eddie scooted over, making sure he was taking up the least amount of space possible. This was where the night was meant to end from the start, but no one needed to know that.
"Well, don't you both look so cozy?" Chimney teased. Of course everyone had to cram themselves into the bedroom.
"Stop that," Maddie scolded, poking Chimney on the shoulder before walking to Buck's side of the bed. She tucked the blankets around him, fussing over him like the big sister she was. "If you need anything else, I'm a phone call away."
"Okay," Buck agreed, accepting her kiss on his forehead happily.
"That goes for you too," Maddie said, walking over to stand next to Eddie. She tucked in his blankets as well and Eddie could feel his cheeks heating up. He couldn't remember the last time someone had done that for him. Maddie kissed the tips of her fingers, then gently pressed them on his forehead.
"Thanks," Eddie said quietly. He appreciated the sentiment and that Maddie knew a regular kiss would be awkward.
"Let's let our boys get their rest. It's obviously been a long day for them," Hen said, leaning against the doorway. She and Chimney were smirking at each other, but they didn't say anything. They might've had suspicions, but they didn't have any proof. Once Eddie was a bit more recovered, he'd come up with a better story to get them off their case. They'd get away with their secret intact.
"And don't worry, we cleaned up your kitchen for you," Chimney said with a wink. Eddie hid his face in his hands and groaned as Bobby ushered everyone out of the bedroom. He was quietly reprimanding Chimney, but the damage was done.
"I forgot about the candlelit dinner we left behind," Buck said sheepishly. Eddie had as well, in the chaos of it all. They'd all known the truth from the moment they stepped into the house.
"Screw it," Eddie declared, rolling over and pulling Buck close to him. If everyone knew, they didn't need to pretend anymore. They curled up around each other, relishing in the comfort of it all.
"This is nice," Buck moaned, running his fingertips up and down Eddie's back.
"I'm sorry I ruined our night," Eddie sighed, bumping his nose against Buck's.
"What was ruined? I got to spend all day with the man I love and I get to lay next to him in bed all night. What could be better?"
"A healthy digestive system," Eddie deadpanned.
"Maybe," Buck acquiesced, kissing him on the forehead. "But I'd go through it all again if it meant I got this." Eddie could feel himself melting into a puddle at Buck's words. He'd gone into this wanting to take care of Buck, but Buck always found a way to take care of him as well. Maybe that's why they worked so well together.
"I would too," Eddie agreed, pulling Buck closer so there was no space left in between them. "But next time, let's order in."