Bi Buck Bingo Anniversary Week

Hello! Welcome to the Bi Buck Bingo Anniversary Week March 30-April 5 2025. We're here to celebrate the one year anniversary of Bi Buck gracing our screens! Icon credit: reginamillls Header: usernelly

[bibuckanniversarybingo]

About Bi Buck Anniversary Bingo Week

Welcome to the Bi Buck Anniversary Bingo Event 2025. The event will run during the week of March 30-April 5 2025.

We’re fans of Evan Buckley who have loved watching his bisexual journey in the last year. In honor of the anniversary of his bisexual awakening, we wanted to have a dedicated week celebrating everything there is to love about Buck.

This event is for everyone who loves Buck and wants to create something special throughout the week. Everyone is welcome! Whether you ship him with a particular character or you enjoy creating works that focus on Buck himself, we’re excited to see what you come up with during the week.

We will be accepting submissions as soon as the event begins on March 30 and goes through April 5. You will have until April 12 to submit any late entries.

Please make sure to read the FAQ’s and Rules for this event. We want everyone to have fun and foster a creative and positive environment in honor of an important moment for Buck.

Romance Bingo Card | Sexuality Bingo Card | On Call Bingo Card | Sexual Intimacy Bingo Card

[bibuckanniversarybingo]

MASTERLIST

Once last time, thank you all for your participation in this event! We had 36 unique creations, several bingos and one blackout!

Please click through the read-more for the full list of fills.

We hope to see you all back next year!

Alternate Universe

ground control to major tom: By @thatmexisaurusrex Rated M, Buck/Tommy

Curious: By @unlifeira Rated T, Buck/Eddie

Mutual Pining

what makes you smile : Rated T, Buck/Eddie Prompts: Mutual Pining

Toys

Art by @pluralityofaxes Explicit, Buck/Taylor

Uniform

it's about time that we raise up: by @donovankinard Rated T, Buck/Tommy TW: Homophobia

Coming out

you might be the answer : by @donovankinard Rated T, Buck/Tommy TW: Homophobia

Cooking

A Great Team : by @unlifeira Rated T, Buck/Eddie

the world falls away, and it's only us by @donovankinard Rated T, Buck/Tommy

Only One Bed

Art by @pluralityofaxes Explicit, Buck/Eddie

Non Sexual Intimacy

Learned Skill by @unlifeira Rated T, Buck/Eddie

Unexpected Expectations by @jmagnabo92 Rated T, Buck/Alex Claremont Diaz

you can change right next to me by @donovankinard Rated T, Buck/Eddie

Literally Sleeping Together

Reliever by @unlifeira Rated T, Buck/Eddie

A Good Night by @jmagnabo92 Rated T, Buck/Alex Claremont Diaz

First Kiss

if I'm there (to catch you when you fall) by @unlifeira Rated T, Buck/Eddie

For the Rest of My Days by @dark-alice-lilith Rated G, Buck/Tommy

Date Night

only if it's with you by @donovankinard Rated T, Buck/Eddie

Free Square

Maverick by @theclaravoyant Rated T, Buck/Eddie/Tommy

Fathers & Sons by @unlifeira Rated G, Buck/Eddie

First Time

Art by @pluralityofaxes Mature, Buck/Tommy

Getting Together

How to Ruin Your Best Friendship: Starring Evan Buckley as Freddie Fakeman by @unlifeira Rated T, Buck/Eddie

Cockwarming

You Whisper Softly to Me by @dark-alice-lilith Rated E, Buck/Tommy

Multiple Prompts

love is patient love is kind by @donovankinard Rated T, Buck/Eddie Prompts: Flags, Community, Pride

Someone Unexpected by @dark-alice-lilith Rated G, Buck/Tommy, past Buck/Taylor Prompts: Uniform, Flags, Fire Engine, Coming Out

toeing that line, all of the time by @donovankinard Rated T, Buck/Tommy Prompts: Practice Kissing, Literally Sleeping Together, Canon Disaster, At the Station, Family Dinner, Hurt/Comfort, Bisexual Realization, Looking Back There Were Signs

come back, be here by @donovankinard Rated T, Buck/Eddie Prompts: Mutual Pining, Getting Together

Fruity Visits by @jmagnabo92 Rated T, Buck/Alex Claremont Diaz Prompts: Uniform, At the Station

Out, Proud and Happy by @dark-alice-lilith Rated T, Buck/Tommy Prompts: Gay Bar, Pride

Taste Testing in Love by @jmagnabo92 Rated T, Buck/Alex Claremont Diaz Prompts: Cooking, First Kiss

should old acquaintance be forgot by @theclaravoyant Rated T, Buck/Taylor Prompts: Non Sexual Intimacy, Literally Sleeping Together

An Easy Out by @jmagnabo92 Rated T, Buck/ Alex Claremont Diaz Prompts: Coming, Out, Family Dinner

Someone Unexpected by @dark-alice-lilith Rated G, Buck/Tommy, past Buck/Taylor Prompts: Coming Out, Uniform, Fire Engine, Flags, Pride

i know i saw a light in you by @donovankinard Rated T, Buck/Tommy Prompts: Alternate Universe, Fire Engine

not sure why it took all this time: by @donovankinard Rated T, Gen, Buck & the 118 TW: Mentions of Homphobia Prompts: Firefighter Calendar, The Q Word

Calendar of My Heart by @jmagnabo92 Rated T, Buck/Alex Claremont Diaz Prompts: Firefighter Calendar, Fire Engine

[unlifeira]

Learned Skill

Chapters: 2/2 Fandom: 9-1-1 (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Evan "Buck" Buckley & Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV) Characters: Evan "Buck" Buckley, Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV) Additional Tags: Ambiguous Relationships, Pre-Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz, Cooking, Non-Sexual Intimacy, Eddie Diaz Can't Cook (9-1-1 TV), But also, Eddie Diaz Cooks (9-1-1 TV), Evan "Buck" Buckley Cooks, Emotionally Hurt Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Insecure Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Supportive Evan "Buck" Buckley, Evan "Buck" Buckley Loves Eddie Diaz, Mutual Pining, If you know what to look for Summary: “Buck,” Eddie says, walking into the kitchen and taking in the scene in front of him with a blink before resting his hands on his waist, “what’s going on?” “We’re cooking,” is what Buck says. Because, yeah, that’s pretty much what they’re doing. They’re cooking—together. Speaking of, there’s one more thing they’ll need. “Hey, where’s your iPad?” “In the living room,” Eddie answers automatically. He blinks again. “Buck, what are you doing?” “What are we doing,” Buck corrects. Then, he repeats, “We’re cooking. Can you bring the iPad? It’ll probably be easier than having to check the recipe on my phone; my screen’s pretty small.” (Or, Eddie comes back from Texas upset that his family's recipes were shared with his sisters but not him on account of his lack of cooking skills. Buck tries to cheer him up, and maybe teach him to cook at the same time.)

This was written for the @bibuckanniversarybingo square Non-Sexual Intimacy

[bibuckanniversarybingo]

That's a Wrap!

Thank you each and every one of you, for your wonderful creations and for joining us to celebrate one year of Canonically Bisexual Evan Buckley.

With Season 9 confirmed, we hope to see you all back next year for the second anniversary!

There will be a masterlist coming along shortly, so stayed tuned for that and keep creating!

If you posted to AO3, keep an eye out for an invitation to the collection there as well. This is optional, but makes it easier for people to find related works.

[occasionally-disco]

not sure why it took all this time

“We are writing to inform you that your subordinate, Firefighter Evan Buckley, has been selected to represent the department regarding the Men of the L.A.F.D. Wall Calendar.” Buck practically beams, raising a hand that Eddie happily high-fives. “This year’s theme is yet to be announced, but we would like to discuss the potential of a new alteration to the calendar’s monthly themes, including Firefighter Buckley as a selection for a LGBTQIA+ Pride theme in the July monthly page.”

Or the one where Buck’s finally picked for the calendar, but it’s harmful in a way he hadn’t considered.

T | buck & the 118 | 1.2k @bibuckanniversarybingo: firefighter calendar + the q word

read on ao3.

[thatmexisaurusrex]

ground control to major tom

Hey, people! This is a late entry for the @bibuckanniversarybingo. It's for the prompt "alternate universe". It's also inspired a bit by those astronauts that were supposed to go up into space for like nine days and it ended up being nine months. Enjoy this fun bucktommy fic! 🥰

ground control to major tom

| Pairing: BuckTommy | Rated: M | WC: 4.1K | Chapters: 1/5 |

Summary: Astronaut Tommy Kinard has a chance encounter with space nerd and firefighter Evan "Buck" Buckley at a party before he goes up in space with Dr. Karen Wilson for what should have been a nine-day mission but becomes a nine-month one. Tommy finds himself growing closer to Evan as they talk to each other through the radio during that long visit to space.

Excerpt:

So. Here Tommy was. At a party filled with mostly people Tommy knew vaguely from Karen and once when one of them, Howie, saved him from a gas leak at a mall. But Tommy didn’t really know most of the people at this party well. The plan: make it an hour before getting out of Dodge. Well. That was the plan. Before the hottest guy at the party started making a beeline toward him.

READ THE REST ON AO3!

[unlifeira]

what makes you smile

Chapters: 1/4 Fandom: 9-1-1 (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Evan "Buck" Buckley & Christopher Diaz & Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV) Characters: Evan "Buck" Buckley, Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Christopher Diaz (9-1-1 TV) Additional Tags: 3+1 Things, Mutual Pining, Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz First Kiss, Drawing, Art, Mixed Media, Artist Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Sort Of, they're still firefighters don't get me wrong, Evan "Buck" Buckley Has ADHD, Eddie Diaz's Mustache (9-1-1 TV), in like one chapter, Minor mention of canon relationships Summary: Three times Buck draws something that makes Eddie smile, and one time Eddie draws something that makes Buck smile.

This is a late submission for @bibuckanniversarybingo for the square Mutual Pining. The fic's written and drafted, the other three chapters will go up in the next few days.

[unlifeira]

Curious

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: 9-1-1 (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Evan "Buck" Buckley & Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Eddie Diaz & Karen Wilson (9-1-1 TV), Evan "Buck" Buckley & Karen Wilson Characters: Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Evan "Buck" Buckley, Karen Wilson, Bobby Nash Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting, Pre-Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz, First Meetings, Astronaut Evan "Buck" Buckley, Astronaut Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Astronaut Karen Wilson, Minor Henrietta "Hen" Wilson/Karen Wilson, Evan "Buck" Buckley Is Not A Firefighter, Eddie Diaz Is Not A Firefighter (9-1-1 TV), NASA, Bisexual Evan "Buck" Buckley, Unlabeled Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Smitten Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Smitten Evan "Buck" Buckley, also probably a bunch of nasa inaccuracies, Oops Series: Part 2 of it's lonely out in space Summary: Despite so much brainstorming on who the new hire is, neither of them expected the newcomer to be a six-foot tall guy—blond, blue eyes, what looks like a birthmark around his left eye—that bounces around the place like a puppy but also has a huge black eye like he got into a fight recently—a black eye that Eddie is pretty damn sure has to hurt. Eddie almost winces in sympathy the moment he sees it, but he manages to stop himself; he doesn’t want to be rude to the new guy right off the bat. He has manners, alright? Abuela raised him right. The thing is, these are… not great signs. The guy seems too restless for enclosed spaces and too volatile for teamwork, but… Well, Eddie trusts Bobby, their project coordinator. If he thinks this guy is perfect for their team, then… Then, Eddie will give him a chance. (Or, it's Buck's first day at work, and he's trying really, really hard to make a good impression on his new team.)

This is a late submission for the @bibuckanniversarybingo for the square Alternate Universe.

[bibuckanniversarybingo]

1 More Day!!

Tomorrow is the final day of the event, so get those fills in!

[pluralityofaxes]

For the @bibuckanniversarybingo prompt: toys, officially completing the bingo!

As high-fashion as the censor-bra is, full version is on AO3 here

[occasionally-disco]

it’s about time that we raise up

And now, with a sheet of paper in his hand that has far too much printed onto it to be nice, and an expression that makes Buck feel like a child caught with an assault rifle or some similar such threat, the Battalion Chief is leaning against Bobby’s desk, clearing his throat. “Firefighter Buckley, you understand department policy on additions to uniforms in public spaces?”

Or the one where a tricolor pin causes more drama than ever intended.

T | buck/tommy | 1.1k @bibuckanniversarybingo: uniform

read on ao3.

[occasionally-disco]

you might be the answer

Margaret doesn’t even seem to notice her son’s discomfort; she just keeps talking, tone thin with barely-hidden disapproval and eyes a little glassy, like she’s had one glass of red too much. “You know, Lorelai is really a lovely girl. Her and her boyfriend broke up a few months ago, it was a very sad affair. I always said she deserved better, you know?”

Or the one where Buck has tried to come out, his parents shun it every time, and Tommy can’t stand to see him so desolate.

T | buck/tommy | 2.9k @bibuckanniversarybingo: coming out.

read on ao3.

[unlifeira]

A Great Team

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: 9-1-1 (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Evan "Buck" Buckley & Margaret Buckley & Phillip Buckley Characters: Evan "Buck" Buckley, Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Margaret Buckley, Phillip Buckley Additional Tags: Established Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz, POV Alternating, Meeting the Parents, Soft Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz, Evan "Buck" Buckley Cooks, Eddie Diaz Can't Cook (9-1-1 TV), Eddie Diaz Cooks (9-1-1 TV), both can be real at the same time okay, Nervous Evan "Buck" Buckley, Insecure Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Buckley Parents Redemption, Kind Of, they're trying, Soft Evan "Buck" Buckley Series: Part 5 of Your Place in the World Summary: Buck is hosting dinner at his loft. He's about to introduce Eddie to his parents as his boyfriend. He's not nervous. He's not nervous at all. (Someone help him.)

This was written for the @bibuckanniversarybingo for the square Cooking.

[pluralityofaxes]

For @bibuckanniversarybingo prompt: only one bed. Uncropped on AO3 here.

Bonus:

[occasionally-disco]

love is patient, love is kind

It’s perfect, is what it is, and Buck loves every moment of it; despite the sunburn he can feel starting on the back of his neck, and the sweat clinging to his back, and the noise that is almost a little too much, he loves it. It’s perfect, it’s everything he ever wanted as a kid; a community, a home. People who will stand by his side, even though they barely know him. He didn’t even realise what he was missing until he had it.

Or; Buck and Eddie’s first pride as a couple, and a couple of strangers who help them realize the gravity of that.

T | buck/eddie | 1.3k @bibuckanniversarybingo: flags, community, pride

read on ao3.

[jenjentheboscostick]

An Easy Out

@bibuckanniversarybingo

Prompts - Family Dinner and Coming Out

Buck's been dating Alex for a few months and finally decides to come out to his family.

AO3

***

“So, Bobby, I was wondering if you and Athena might want to come by my place on Friday for dinner,” Buck asks, pretending that it’s just a normal ask, even though it isn’t.

He hasn’t told Bobby and Maddie(/Chim) about Alex – well, not true, he’s talked about his boyfriend plenty, but he never specified the boyfriend part, just Alex and everyone so far has assumed that Alex is a woman (Buck hasn’t corrected them because he’s been trying to figure out the right time to tell everyone).  Buck and Alex met after the chaos of Eddie leaving and Buck moving into Eddie’s old house. 

The whole thing with Eddie leaving had sparked a conversation with Maddie where she might’ve suggested an interest in Eddie (which he doesn’t have) but did make him question why his sister would think that he’d be interested in men, and he did a lot of self-reflection.

His self-reflection led to a research binge (and conversations with Hen and Karen) and that led to realizing that he could be bi and then, he met Alex when he went to a community gathering for queer literature and he had enjoyed talking to him.  They’d become friends first, and Alex had joked that it had taken a kiss from a friend (or was more than a friend for a few months) before he realized himself so at least Buck’s a few steps ahead.

And then, feeling flirty and knowing that Alex is bi, he teased, “If only I had a bi friend willing to test my theories.”

Alex had laughed and swung his arms around Buck’s neck, pulling him down slightly (since he’s six inches taller) and kissing him soundly.  Given that he definitely didn’t want the kiss to end, he’d quickly figured out that he was – is bi and when they broke apart asked Alex out.

Now, three months after that kiss, and feeling more confident (as no one’s looking at him like a wounded puppy anymore), he’s feeling like maybe it’s time to come out to those not in the know – only Hen and Karen already know thanks to being Buck’s sounding board.

Hence, family dinner with Bobby and Athena, Maddie and Chim, at his new place. 

“Finally having a housewarming?” Bobby questions, sounding excited.  “I know you had a rough time after taking over Eddie’s lease, but it’s your house now and –”

“Not exactly,” Buck says, cutting him off.  “Although, I do appreciate that I should probably have one of those.”  He shakes his head.  “But there’s something I wanted to talk to you about and it would be better outside of work.”

“You’re not sick, are you?” Bobby asks, immediately concerned.

“No, of course not.”

“And you’re not leaving, are you?”

Buck scoffs.  “Definitely not.  It’s nothing like that.  I was just – I wanted to introduce you to Alex, Maddie and Chim are coming, too, it’s kind of a family dinner.”

“Oh,” Bobby says, sounding surprised. 

Buck’s never outright called Bobby family to his face, but with everything that happened with nearly dying by lightning he figures there’s no real hiding it – he’d heard Athena plain as day telling him that he (Bobby) had already lost two kids and couldn’t handle losing him, too.  He’s been far more like a dad than Philip Buckley ever was (or is), but he’s not sure if suggesting family dinner would be too much since they’ve never discussed it out loud.

So, he’s nervous for a few seconds when Bobby’s face splits into smile.  “This must serious if you want to have a whole dinner for introductions, but I’d be glad to attend.”

Buck smiles.  “Great and yeah, Alex is pretty special.”

Bobby smiles.  “Then I can’t wait to meet Alex.”

“Good.”

***

“How are you more nervous than I am?” Alex teases as he watches Buck flitter back and forth between the recipe book and the dinner he’s making. 

He’s teasing even though he knows why. 

Coming out is a big deal.  Alex didn’t really get the chance to come out to his family by his own choice – his sister told him when she was mad about his secret relationship (that wasn’t a very good secret), he was forced to tell his mom after her chief of staff caught him with said secret relationship and made a big deal about it), and his dad told him he knew the weekend he met the secret relationship (and even though it ended that weekend, he should have realized bringing him to the lake house would immediate be like telling his dad). 

Having not gotten to come out by his own choice, Alex knew that it was an important and decision for Buck to do this now that he’s ready.   He also knows that it doesn’t always go well (Raf getting kicked out when he was in his teens, Henry getting told that he can’t let his ‘deviances’ affect the crown and must stay in the closet forever), but from everything he’s heard about Buck’s chosen family, they should be accepting.

Maddie had been the one to put him on this journey accidentally and they are all close with Hen, another firefighter and a part of the ‘fire fam’ family, who is gay – the one that has helped Buck along his journey of self-discovery.  It shouldn’t be a big deal or a surprise about Buck, but logic doesn’t always calm nerves.

“Because you’re amazing, so of course they’re going to love you.”

“Is that to say that my boyfriend’s not amazing,” Alex says, coming up behind him, wrapping his arms around his waist, and burying his face in between his shoulders.  “Because I will not have you talking bad about my boyfriend.”

Buck chuckles.  “No, I just – have trouble sometimes.  Thinking about being enough.”

Alex loosens his grip and leans back.  “Turn around and look at me.”

Buck hesitates for a few seconds and looks like maybe he wants to go get Blaze (their beagle Buck rescued) who’s barking, but eventually turns around to look at Alex. 

Satisfied, Alex looks him in those brilliant blue eyes and says, “Look I know that I only have a vague idea about what happened with the Buckleys and your life growing up, but I do know that it scarred you into thinking that you’re not enough – not enough to be worth loving unconditionally, not enough to be worth sticking around for, and not enough to be different, yet, accepted – but it’s all bullshit, okay?  You are enough, you are enough as you are, you don’t have to earn it, and these people – the ones you consider family – they’re going to love you no matter what.  They aren’t going to stop loving you just because you’re bi and if they do – then fuck ‘em.”

“I think he’s my favorite already,” a new voice says before Buck can respond.

They jump apart, barely missing knocking their heads together.

“Sorry,” the man says, sheepishly.  “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

The woman with him, says, “But your front door was unlocked, really, Buck?”

Buck laughs and bends down to put Blaze, who had come in with them.  “Believe me, the house is more protected that it seems, Athena, we have our own guard dog and everything.”

He’s teasing about Cash and Schmitty, Alex’s secret service agents that have been with him for eight years and are destined for at least another four since his dad was recently elected for President (the switchover from his mom to his dad is going to be interesting to say the least), but naturally, Athena and Bobby (he assumes based on the fact that he knows Bobby’s married to Athena), assume they’re talking about Blaze.

“Yes, yes, your new guard dog has done so well,” Athena responds, sarcastically.  “He really stopped us from entering.”

Buck just laughs and shakes his head.  He seems more relaxed since Bobby had started off with favorite already, and just leans into it.   “Anyway, uh, I don’t know how long you were standing there, but this is my boyfriend, Alex, and I guess you could say that I’m bi.”

“You guess?” Bobby questions as he moves forward to shake Alex’s hand.  “It’s nice to meet you, I’m Bobby, and this is my lovely wife, Athena.”

Alex grins as Buck rolls his eyes.  “Okay, I definitely am bi, I am not guessing.  Definitely true.”

Athena smiles as she hugs both him and Buck and says, “Good, I’m glad.”

Buck looks to Bobby, who nods at him, giving him that assurance he needs. 

“So, I’m going to admit that I was under the impression that Alex was a woman – was that intentional?”

Buck shakes his head.  “No, I just didn’t correct anyone.”  He glances at Alex, who smiles at him, reassuringly.  “I wanted to do this with intention.  I didn’t want to come out because of a pronoun so I just… avoided them until I was ready.”

Bobby smiles, “Well, I’m happy that now you are ready.”

“I am.”

***

It takes some time before Maddie shows with Chim and Jee, they were late, but it’s harder to be on time with a toddler, apparently and at least it gave Bobby and Athena sometime to get to know Alex, who they seem to like.

Buck smiles when she doesn’t even blink as he introduces her to Alex and tells her he’s bi.  Given that she started him on this journey, it makes sense that she wouldn’t blink, Chim, on the other hand, looks completely confused.

Not unaccepting (he greets Alex warmly) but confused.

It takes until they’re all sitting at the dinner table and the chatter about how good dinner looks fades, before Chim finds his voice, “I’m confused – how did this happen?”

Buck laughs, even as most people at the table give him an incredulous look. 

“I think what Howie means is how did you two meet?” Maddie corrects.

Buck laughs.  “Well, actually it’s partially because of you.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you put the idea in my head that I could be bi because you thought my reaction to Eddie leaving was due to being in love with him –” at this both Chim and Bobby spit takes and Athena bursts out laughing. 

“I’m sorry, you thought what?” Bobby asks.  “Believe me if Buck was secretly in love with Eddie – we’d all know it.”

“Yeah, Buck can’t keep a secret to save his life,” Chim chimes in.

Buck gives him a look.  “I’m not that one that exposed a family secret to a bomber during a rescue – I am not the one with secret keeping issues.”

“No, but you are the one that fills most of the air chatting about whatever’s on your mind at work,” Bobby states.  “In fact, I’m pretty sure you talked about Alex the next shift after you met him.”

Alex gives him a playfully, teasing look.  “Did you, Buck?”

Buck flushes.  “I was excited.  I made a new friend and I like to talk besides you weren’t a secret.”

“That and you have 24-hour shifts, so it’d be difficult to keep secrets,” Athena offers.  “No one in the 118 has secrets for long, so if he were in love with Eddie – even one-sided – everyone would have known.”

“I just suggested it,” Maddie states, shrugging.  “I thought his reaction to Eddie leaving was … about more than friendship.”

“He’s my best friend, Maddie,” Buck reiterates.  “And as I said, then, it was more about the fact that I spent so much time with him on and off shift that I felt I would be lost without him.  Everyone else has a family and a partner, so Eddie and I kind of just hung out together when we weren’t working – especially since Chris left and he needed a distraction.  It doesn’t mean that there were any feelings there – I’m pretty sure, even though I wasn’t exactly aware myself, I would have realized sometime in the last seven years that I liked my best friend.”

“Fair enough, but you did just say that it was because of that conversation.”

“Hmm-mmm, yes, because it was.  You suggesting that I could be bi made me wonder if there was something I was missing out on and so I did some research and I explored different things – talked to Hen – and I ended up at a queer literature community gathering and became friends with Alex…”

“Friends…?” Chim asks, wiggling his eyebrows. 

“Okay, it didn’t exactly last long but Alex told me that he realized he is bi when a friend kissed him and sent him into his own spiral and realization and so I teased that if only I had a bi friend to help me test me the theory.”

He didn’t have to explain the rest of the story, it was obvious that they started dating after that. 

Maddie smiles.  “Seems very you and I’m happy for you.”  She glances at Alex.  “Both of you.”

“Thank you.”

***

The rest of dinner is spent getting to know Alex for everyone else, and Buck can’t help grinning at the way they’re so interested in him.  It’s different to Buck’s other long-term relationships in that everyone seemed to like him, and the partner is interested in his family – chosen or otherwsie. 

By the time everyone left, Buck’s relief and happiness is quite visible, he’s sure.  The only person left to tell is Eddie, and he’s not remotely worried about his reaction.

He closes the door and faces Alex, who’s grinning, knowingly.  “I told you that they would support you.”

“I think I knew – deep down – that I had nothing to worry about.  Hen assured me the same thing, but then again, her and Karen both mentioned how Toni hadn’t come to their first wedding because of it and well, I don’t know, but I really didn’t have to be worried.”

“Definitely not,” Alex says before pressing a kiss to his lips.  “But now, you’re out and there’s nothing to worry about.”

Buck hums before he pulls Alex even closer.  “And now, I think it’s time to celebrate.”

“Love the sound of that.”

“Good.”

[unlifeira]

Learned Skill

Chapters: 2/2 Fandom: 9-1-1 (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Evan "Buck" Buckley & Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV) Characters: Evan "Buck" Buckley, Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV) Additional Tags: Ambiguous Relationships, Pre-Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz, Cooking, Non-Sexual Intimacy, Eddie Diaz Can't Cook (9-1-1 TV), But also, Eddie Diaz Cooks (9-1-1 TV), Evan "Buck" Buckley Cooks, Emotionally Hurt Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Insecure Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Supportive Evan "Buck" Buckley, Evan "Buck" Buckley Loves Eddie Diaz, Mutual Pining, If you know what to look for Summary: “Buck,” Eddie says, walking into the kitchen and taking in the scene in front of him with a blink before resting his hands on his waist, “what’s going on?” “We’re cooking,” is what Buck says. Because, yeah, that’s pretty much what they’re doing. They’re cooking—together. Speaking of, there’s one more thing they’ll need. “Hey, where’s your iPad?” “In the living room,” Eddie answers automatically. He blinks again. “Buck, what are you doing?” “What are we doing,” Buck corrects. Then, he repeats, “We’re cooking. Can you bring the iPad? It’ll probably be easier than having to check the recipe on my phone; my screen’s pretty small.” (Or, Eddie comes back from Texas upset that his family's recipes were shared with his sisters but not him on account of his lack of cooking skills. Buck tries to cheer him up, and maybe teach him to cook at the same time.)

This was written for the @bibuckanniversarybingo square Non-Sexual Intimacy