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Eddie Doesn't share food, everyone knows it. Everyone who has tried has nearly gotten their fingers broken and a deadly stare by Eddie. However, one person and one person only can come and steal his food. Buck, Buck is best friends with Eddie.
Everyone can tell that they have something more going on, which is true. They've been married for years. They're soulmates and partners, both in work and intimacy. Buck has been living with Eddie for the past few years and Christopher already calls Buck, Dad. They completely forgot to tell the 118 and just assumed they already knew.
The 118 first noticed when Eddie was eating out of his favorite bag of chips. He sat on the couch, gleefully avoiding sharing. Snapping at anyone who tried to reach into the bag, Buck waltzed in and sat down next to Eddie.
"Eddie, did you know that Rubber Bands last longer when they're refrigerated?"
"Really? I did not know that."
"Sure it is," Chim said, "How does that work?"
"So apparently when a rubber band is placed in the fridge, it causes the polymers to relax. which keeps the band from breaking down as fast as it normally does."
"Where did you learn that?" Hen laughed.
"I don't know, somewhere on Google." Buck laughed, "Oh, whatcha eating?"
"Some chips, you want?" Eddie looked at the bag, offering some to Buck.
"Oooh, yes please." Buck rubbed his hands together before reaching into the bag. He pulled out a couple of chips, immediately putting them in his mouth. "Oh, these are good. Thank you."
"You're welcome," Eddie smiled at Buck who began happily eating the offered chips.
"Hey, Eddie can I have another?" Buck smiled, batting his eyes, "Please?"
Eddie sighed, he couldn't say no to those eyes. "Sure, don't eat my whole bag." He laughed.
"Yay," Buck smiled again, returning to eating more chips.
Chim reached over, trying to grab a chip. Eddie pulled the bag away and swatted his hand. Chim let out a sigh of disbelief. He looked over at Hen who just shrugged and continued to drink her coffee.
--
the next time they noticed Eddie sharing was during a break the team had during their shift in which Bobby made a Proscittto with a side of Brussle Sprouts and grilled Shallots.
Buck looked down at the Brussle Sprouts and looked to the left of him to see Eddie looking at him. Eddie grabbed Buck's plate and scrapped off the Brussels onto his plate. Buck immediately looked relieved.
"You can put the Shallots on my plate."
"Oh thank god." Eddie laughed, "Thank you."
Buck hummed a welcome, before saying, "Thank you," When Eddie handed his plate back.
Buck and Eddie ate their Lunch, now very happy with their plates.
Buck poured himself some water and then to Eddie, he looked up to see if anyone else wanted more and they just stared at him. "What?" Buck said with his mouthful.
"so you just eat the food the other doesn't like?" Chimmny flat-out said.
"Yeah. I mean, I had to stop cooking with Shallots because he and Christopher refused to eat them. Sometimes we go out and I accidentally get something with Brussle Sprouts and Eddie loves Brussels sprouts so he eats them."
"I see," Chim said narrowing his eyes and chewing slower. "So you also know what each other likes and doesn't like."
"I mean yeah, we've been inseparable for like 5 years, of course, I'm going to know what he likes and doesn't like," Buck said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Speaking of food," Buck turned to Eddie, "What do you want for dinner?"
Eddie shrugged, "Whatever you want to make."
"I don't know what though... maybe let's ask Chris when he gets home."
"I don't know," Eddie smiled, "he might ask for pizza."
"True... it's okay, we have time to figure it out."
"Good." Eddie smiled.
Once again, Chim and Bobby, and Hen all glanced at each other, aware of what it looked like. They never said anything about dating each other or being more than just friends. Is this really bromance?
---
The most recent time they saw Eddie share his food was when they went out for breakfast after a long shift. Going to a nearby restaurant the 118 sat at a table and ordered their meals.
"Wasn't that last call insane?" Buck said bewildered.
"Right," Chim replied. "You would think that people wouldn't be so stupid... yet here we are."
"Sometimes people do things at the moment and don't think it through." Bobby chimed in. "Besides we've seen a lot worse."
Everyone hummed in agreement with Bobby. Buck and Eddie were in their own world, asking if Carla was working and who was going to pick up Chris. When the waitress returned with their food, Bobby watched Eddie glare at the poor woman flirting with Buck. Buck let her down gently and looked back at Eddie with a smile. Eddie smiled back as if nothing had happened.
"What did you get?" Buck asked Eddie, already reaching over to his plate.
"Just the French toast with the strawberries on it and the little ice cream."
"Sounds good," Buck said, bringing the fork to his mouth. Eddie cut up more pieces and ate them as if Buck hadn't just taken food off his plate without asking. Buck handed Eddie a couple of pieces of his dish in return. Eddie handed Buck a couple more of his own.
Bobby watched the two interact, looking at Chim and Hen in a get-a-load of this type of way. They both just shook their heads in and I know, we see it too.
When the 118 said their goodbyes and separated ways, Buck and Eddie went home after a long shift. Both of them immediately fall asleep in their beds, forgetting to shower.
---
The 118 noticed the food sharing and the Brussels sprout theory goes on.
"Were they always like this?" Bobby asked, approaching Hen and Chim who was just staring at Buck and Eddie. Both of them were passed out on the couch, Buck was laying on Eddie's chest and Eddie wrapped an arm protectively around Buck.
"I'm not sure..." Chim said.
"What if they're dating and just didn't tell us?" Hen suggested.
"No way, Eddie has a kid," Chim laughed, "He can't be gay."
"There is such a thing called Bisexual, Chim." Hen rolled her eyes.
Chim scrunched up his brows, "Oh yeah... I forgot. But wasn't he dating the school teacher?"
"No," Hen said, "Apparently, she tried to get with him but Eddie was like no, I don't like you like that. And then I heard him say something about needing to go get Chris cause he was with-"
"-Buck?" Eddie groaned out, waking up from his nap. He glanced down to see Buck still passed out on his chest. He tapped Bucks back lightly. "Buck, wake up."
"Hmmn?" Buck groaned, "I don't want to. Comfy."
"Yeah?" Eddie laughed, "I'm glad you squashing me is comfortable, but I really need to pee."
"Damn," Buck said, slowly getting up but his eyes were still closed. Eddie smiled and ruffled Buck's hair.
"I'll be back, Carino."
"Mmn," Buck mumbled, grabbing onto Eddie's hand before he left. Buck laid back down on the couch, taking the warm couch cushions that Eddie had left behind as his own.
The other 3 firefighters looked at each other, giving themselves a silent conclusion. They're definitely dating.
--
Finally, the cat was out of the bag, and the 118 had responded to a call to Christopher's school. Someone had pulled the fire alarm.
Eddie and Buck were basically running into the building, especially after hearing, "Dad!" being yelled from the doors. The students were running out of the building, making it hard for Chris to escape.
Eddie pulled Chris into a tight hug, while Buck made sure all the kids were out of the building.
Once the 118 confirmed the building was safe, Eddie put Chris down.
"Papa!" Chris yelled out to Buck, squirming in Eddie's arms.
"Hey there Superman," Buck smiled, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, Dad saved me," Chris smiled, "I'm okay."
"Wait," Chim said, getting between them, "Buck is Papa, and Eddie is Dad?"
"Yeah!" Chris smiled, "They're my dads!"
"So you guys are dating?" Hen asked suspiciously.
"My dads are married!" Chris smiled, and Eddie and Buck smiled at each other.
Both of them surprised, "Guys..." Buck began, "Now, don't be mad."
"Mad? You guys got married and didn't tell us!?"
"What?" Eddie laughed, "We told you guys forever ago."
"You don't even wear rings," Chim pointed out.
"Because they get in the way when you need to grip something, we wear one of those sealed bracelets. You know, the ones welded on."
Eddie and Buck held out their wrists, showing the charm of their marriage date.
"How did you not know?" Chris made fun of the 118.
"But- what-?" Chim's words failed him.
Hen just sighed and shook her head. Bobby looked at the others with a smile, "I remember but I wanted to see how long it would take for you guys to realize so I played along."
"But- what- why-... you." Chim accused Bobby, who only laughed.
It took the 118, aka Chim and Hen about six months to realize that their resident dummies are married and have been for a while.