when your brother's best friend who you literally never talk to, but you don't think it would be insane if your brother was in love with him, asks you to anonymously spend several thousand dollars on him at a charity auction so he doesn't have to go on a date with a woman
Fandom is full of incredible stories that never quite get the attention they deserve. This week's recs celebrate hidden gems, underrated favorites, and the fics readers cannot believe more people are not talking about.
(click here for previous lists!)
38 recs under the cut:
1. maybe it was in the water by writedontfight (@poledancingghostson) (9.1k, Teen)
Warnings: none
Buck's mom dies, and he and Eddie go to florida for her funeral
Reccer says: The established buddie is so good and Eddie is so supportive and soft
2. the beast that can't be killed by cicelsticks (59.2k, Mature)
Warnings: suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide
Bobby's death brings out the worst in Buck. Or a cool magic realism take on grieving bobby
Reccer says: The magic realism and the beast of grief is just so cool.
3. Collision Course by Chromedove (18.1k, Not Rated)
Warnings: Author Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings; Car Accidents, Canonical Character Death
AU in which the ambulance accident Hen is in runs into Shannon Diaz, and that is how Buck and Eddie meet.
Reccer says: Such an interesting au and it makes everything so complicated
4. Runaways by fastcardotmp3 (@fastcardotmp3) (80.1k, Mature)
Warnings: Author Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Past Abuse, more specific cw's in the a/n
A spaceship, its crew, the Buckley family secret(s), and the father-son duo hitching a ride as far as they can get.
Reccer says: I was going to save this au week but it's also a hidden gem. The whole world this fic creates is incredible.
5. You're gonna find your way (home) by Eveliinam (@eventuallyyouwouldtoo) (9.5k, Teen)
Warnings: Panicking Eddie Diaz
Set between episodes 9x10-11, where Abigail takes Chris to get ice cream and Eddie and Buck panic.
Reccer says: Love this fic! Big fan of the Chris POV, he's just so funny, and loved his casual attempt to impress Abigail and get ice cream juxtaposed with Buck and Eddie's freak out. Great convos all around, they are such a beautiful family :')
6. Punch-Drunk Love by epublover (30.6k, Teen)
Warnings: grief/mourning
"It's summer in Los Angeles, and Shannon Diaz is dead. Tired of being handled with kid gloves in the aftermath, Eddie decides to trade them in for the fighting kind.
Or, the first ever LAFD vs LADP charity boxing match couldn't have come at a better, but worse time."
Reccer says: I'VE BEEN WAITING SO LONG TO REC THIS FIC FOR THIS CATEGORY!!!! It only having 37 kudos is outright criminal. Legitimately the most underrated fics I ever read and EASILY in my top 10 favorite buddie fics of all time. My heart was singing in every chapter. Buck and Eddie are written with such raw precision. The humor, the internal intensity, the love the love the love the love. AUGGHHH,,,, what a FUN story about hurting and healing!!!! 💕
7. more more more by jjcofeesa (@buckme) (17.8k, Mature)
Warnings: none
A Buck character study, structured through the lyrics to Mt. Joy's More More More.
Reccer says: Cool structure, fantastic writing.
8. my strength, my shield (my heart trusts in him) by idiotsinkdaisies (@idiotsinkdaisies) (5.9k, Teen)
Warnings: none
5+1 of Eddie (reluctantly) getting Tarot readings throughout the years.
Reccer says: skeptic eddie my beloved (plus diaz sisters!)
9. to sleep perchance to dream by oceanofchaos (@islandoforder) (41.9k, Teen)
Warnings: Temporary Character (Dream) Deaths, Implied Suicidal Thoughts
Inception AU - the 118 as a different kind of "dream" team.
Reccer says: inception au!!!!!! why have we not all been yelling about this for the past year!!!! god it made my heart hurt in the best way at times.
10. only bought this so you could take it off by PenOfPisces (@penofpisces) (5.2k, Explicit)
Warnings: none
Eddie wears something special for Buck at Albert's birthday party.
Reccer says: Eddie in a Corset Agenda :)
11. your heart is your masterpiece (and i'll keep it safe) by mmmikaela (@tsunamikaela) (2k, General)
Warnings: none
9x17 Coda: When Buck gets back to the station after seeing Theo off with Deidra, Eddie reminds him that he's allowed to have complicated feelings about his place in Theo's life.
Reccer says: Soft Buddie :') just a lovely mix of teasing and metaphorical heart eyes!!
12. I have a feeling we're not in the 118 anymore… by WriteCoolUserNameHere (21.9k, Teen)
Warnings: none
Eddie hits his head on a call and wakes up in a very eye-opening series of alternate realities.
Reccer says: a fun journey all the way through!! rip eddie's mustache
13. Three Weddings, Imaginary Filing Cabinets, and Definitely No Funeral by bowloftomatoes (37.4k, Teen)
Warnings: none
Buck and Eddie crash some weddings, Buck loses his grip on a metaphor, and Bobby Nash lives.
Reccer says: first off > bobby nash lives! second! this takes place in the nebulous time period post season 8 where buck and eddie have this weird distance they're trying to bridge. there's some really lovely moments where these dummies are really kind, gentle, and unafraid to have tough conversations in the most loving way. author wasn't kidding about the fluff and angst tag. there some juicy buck centered anguish here, but the love from the 118 soothes it so well. if you like reading about buck and eddie hashing out the fractures leaving for el paso leaves in them, then you will enjoy this.
14. A Prince for Christmas by smilingbuckley (31.4k, Teen)
Warnings: none
Loosely based on “A Royal Queens Christmas” this 31k fic, Crown Prince Evan Buckley is sent to New York by his parents to introduce himself to the world as future king. Eddie has just come back from the Army and is working for Hen when they lose out big on a potential job, thanks to…well a not so meet cute. Buck tries to make up for it and Eddie, not knowing who this man is takes advantage of having the help he very much needed.
Reccer says: This is feel good type of fic. I was giddy and excited for the fluff and adorable moments and on the edge of my seat for those more angsty bits.
15. legibility by burntoobright (@burntoobright) (2.8k, Teen)
Warnings: none
"It looks like it says 'ethereal' and I don't think they sell that here."
"Cereal. Eddie. You're out of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. And my handwriting can't be that bad, maybe you just don't know how to read."
-or-
buck and eddie and their handwriting
Reccer says: I LOVE this one, I must have read it at least thrice! The second chapter especially has my heart, it hits every time! It's soft and sweet and the hurt/comfort is utterly lovely. It genuinely blows my mind that this fic hasn't gotten more love.
16. Last Night In by Bilvybeckett (@noscarolina @doubleoneeight) (13.3k, Mature)
Warnings: Author Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings; alcohol abuse, light self-harm, heavy self-hatred, descriptions of panic, and repetitive language that kind of mimics obsessive thought patterns.
Eddie has to move his life back to California from El Paso. Buck, somewhat reluctantly, takes Chris for the three days he needs. This is not the first time Eddie has left El Paso.
Reccer says: canon-compliant misery (positive)
17. of great and ordinary loves by liveonthesun (@lliveonthesunn) (27.6k, Explicit)
Warnings: none
National Parks Road Trip fic!
Reccer says: A gorgeous smutty and heartfelt fic about who Buck and Eddie might be after 10 years together. A love letter to sex and queerness and queer sex and the whole wide world around us.
18. so full of love (i can barely eat) by oceanofchaos (@islandoforder) (13.7k, General)
Warnings: none
Eddie moves to El Paso, which is what it is. Chris might not be sure how he feels about it at first, but he finds a couple of different recipe blogs that make him rethink.
(or, Eddie and Chris in Texas, told through the medium of recipes.)
Reccer says: oh my god it's SO cool and so so good. im an absolute sucker for unconventional formats and storytelling and the recipe blogs are such a creative yet effective way to convey so much emotion. it says one thing at face value but another when you read between the lines and AUGH its amazing i love this fic
19. All My Friends Say feat. Eddie Diaz by lalala53 (9.3k, Mature)
Warnings: none
The 118 go out to a bar and Eddie tries to distract Buck from seeing Tommy (who had just walked in) and ends up getting black out drunk. Eddie wakes up the next day with hickies and has no memory of how he got them and Buck is being cagey about it.
Reccer says: country legend eddie diaz is so famous to me and I love you so much. also I'm always a sucker for 118 shenanigans
20. i'll go your way too by putanauhere (@putanauhere) (14.8k, Teen)
Warnings: none
Buck works a dead end job at a highway motel, one day much like the other, when a mysterious stranger shows up. Suddenly Buck is forced to question why Bobby only shows up when he's alone, why the timeline of how long he's been there doesn't seem to add up, and why he's so reluctant to leave the place.
Reccer says: The spooky, unsettling vibes are immaculate, and you're forced to constantly question what's real and what isn't!
21. The Thrill of the Chase by confetti_cupcake (@confetti-cupcake) (23.7k, Teen)
Warnings: none
A storm chaser AU in which Buck analyzes his (and Eddie's) love life in natural disaster metaphors.
Reccer says: A very fun introspective type of fic, while also combining it with the high adrenaline moments of storm chasing!
22. 25 minute ride by longcontrast (10.4k, Teen)
Warnings: none
Post 9x13 fic about what happens between Buck being found and them driving back
Reccer says: I liked it!
23. The Lazy Astronomer by vinimental (@vinimental) (25.1k, Mature)
Warnings: none
Eddie starts looking for what he's been missing in life and rebuilding what's been neglected (choosing joy!!) meanwhile Buck finds a safe place in an old astronomy tower, where the nights feel discreet enough to listen to the deepest most vulnerable parts of him.
Reccer says: This is truly wonderful prose, the writing is so tender, beautiful and touching with lovely metaphors along the way!!🥺😍 Explores loneliness and fear of wanting in a gorgeous way. A wip that deserves waaaay more love, such a hidden gem!!
24. let's talk about all the things that keep us up all night by martianbarnes (@diazboys) (3.5k, Teen)
Warnings: none
Buck accidentally says "love you, bye" when hanging up with Eddie while Eddie is in Texas, and Eddie runs with it
Reccer says: Very fun, very sweet!
25. go get her, cowgirl by afterthehoneymoonfades (@kevjeanyves) (9.9k, Explicit)
Warnings: none
a girlbuddie fic where Buck accidentally takes Eddie to a cowgirl-themed gay bar. Maybe Buck's straight best friend isn't so straight after all.
Reccer says: lesbuddie is always so good, and there's something in this fic about how much fun they have together, how much they obviously just LIKE each other, which is so lovely and such a core aspect of their relationship
26. the way home by sunflowerbuckleys (@sunflowerbuckleys) (1.7k, Teen)
Warnings: none
Buck goes missing. Helena and Ramon help search for him.
Reccer says: a really thoughtful and kind of devastating outsider pov on buddie from the Diaz parents perspective
27. Dear Life by Illgetmerope (@illgetmerope) (7k, General)
Warnings: Author Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings
Buck's new place is too quiet so he starts listening to podcasts. One contains a poem that comes for him like a heat seeking missile.
Reccer says: truly the depth of emotion and connection that can come with finding the right poem, and the way the author perfectly weaves that into such a lovely little fic
28. i'm a hostage to everything i've ever felt by lady_ragnell (@theladyragnell) (4.3k, Teen)
Warnings: Author Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings
Buck finds out he wasn't the first man Bonnie kidnapped to play Derek and spirals about it.
Reccer says: a GORGEOUS answer to the mother's boy episode - the myriad ways it would play into all of buck's worst insecurities, the way eddie offers a comfort buck wouldn't try to seek from him? this is such a lovely and heartbreaking fic
29. tell me, did you sail across the sun? by WaywardGhost (@vibecheckd) (2.4k, Teen)
Warnings: none
Buck and Eddie are paired together on the International Space Station for 90 days — with everything still unsaid between them after Eddie's return from El Paso. As told through log reports.
Reccer says: It's a beautiful outsider pov, and the format of it is incredibly effective and so impressive, and original. There's so much emotion packed into scientific reports. It's not traditional prose, and yet it'll move you as if it were.
30. the long way home by twobirdsonesong (@queerstark) (29.8k, Mature)
Warnings: Author Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings; Hallucinations, Psychological Horror
On a road trip gone very wrong, Buck and Eddie must stop for the night at The Four Aces, a beautiful, impossible motel in the middle of the desert that seems to know exactly how to hurt them. As hallways stretch, rooms shift, and phones ring with familiar voices, the motel begins weaponizing everything they refuse to say: Buck's fear of being useful but not chosen, Eddie's guilt and repression, and the life they've built together without ever naming it.
Reccer says: It's such a creative and cool idea for a fic (canon divergence mothers boy where they end up at a creepy liminal space motel instead), and is incredibly well written. It's SUCH a cool concept and really utilizes the horror aspect expertly to so accurately characterize both Buck and Eddie and their insecurities, and the twist and turns in the plot are so so good. More people need to read this fic, it's truly a masterpiece imo!
31. another hole to dig my soul in by veil_nebula (@eddiesgayladder) (6k, Explicit)
Warnings: Author Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings; wound penetration (with fingers and tongue), blood drinking. just a lot of blood and descriptions of viscera.
Eddie hallucinates Buck tending to his wounds—in more than one way—as he's bleeding out in the elevator.
Reccer says: This fic is both gorgeous and grisly. I think it was overshadowed by the beginning of the hiatus, but it's so lovely and visceral, and it deserves its flowers now. Definitely read the warnings before going in.
32. Give Me a Spot? by ZinnyDark (@zinnydark) (2.5k, Explicit)
Warnings: none
After Eddie and Hen's dancing lesson, Buck dances too.
Reccer says: This is sweet and adorable. Buck should dance with Eddie forever <3
34. heat of the moment by damnit-aoidee (@damnit-buck) (4.6k, Teen)
Warnings: none
Buck steps in to help when Chris gets an infection and Eddie catches feelings about it.
Reccer says: This is such a warm and lovely fic. There's so much care and deep love in it.
35. strange attractors by drh0rrible (@betanoiz) (5.1k, Explicit)
Warnings: Murder, Minor Character Death, Blood
Eddie pushes and plays with the limits of what Buck will do for him, and Buck is all too happy to be manipulated by him, as long as Eddie is happy.
Reccer says: This made blood and spit hot in the best way. Super unhinged and sexy.
36. in the way only you could by nightwideopen (2.8k, Teen)
Warnings: none
Eddie finds an injured bird. He goes to Buck for help.
Reccer says: This is tender in the best way. Great Eddie characterization.
37. in the orange light by minalover (@minalover) (31.7k, Explicit)
Warnings: none
buddie college au with pining frat boy buck and stressed out single dad eddie
Reccer says: this fic is so fun and sexy and heartfelt. i always come back to it and i'm honestly shocked it's got less than 300 kudos! the romcom vibes are perfect, the pining is both funny and angsty (on both sides), and the way their relationship develops is soooo so beautiful. they're best friends! they help each other!!
38. we could call it even by buddie_in_love (@buddie-in-love) (60.7k, Explicit)
Warnings: none
Eddie and Buck stay at Texas Tech University over the holidays. They strike up a friendship (and more) over the course of a year. Fate separates them for a while but they always find their way back to each other.
