Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Buck was sweating. He’s been in 5Ks after a shift before, but this? There is no way he’d last another round right now.

“Come on Buckley, it’s not that bad.” Eddie smirks, his gloved hands on his hips.

Buck puts his own gloved hands on his knees, breathing in as much air as he can take. He lifts one hand and hears Eddie laugh.

“Eds, you’ve been fighting for years. I boxed with a bag, it’s not the same.”

Eddie walks up beside him, pulling Buck up gently.

“You want a break?”

“I wanna lay on this mat and hope I never have to move again.”

Eddie rolls his eyes and taps him with his glove.

“Get water, then tell me you want to lay on the sweat stained mat.”

Buck moves with Eddie, sitting on a nearby bench. He groans when he feels the bruising on his side, Eddie had warned him it’d be risky to spar so soon after getting hurt on shift.

“You were right.”

Eddie passes him a water and a small towel before drinking his own.

“Sorry, what? Wanna run that by me again?”

Buck leans as far back as he can against the back wall, the towel over his eyes.

“My ribs are on fire and I should’ve been able to pin you but it hurt to move that way.”

“You’re letting me check when we get home.  Why didn’t you tell me —“

Buck sits up abruptly, hissing.

“Eds, babe, I’m okay. It’s just tender and I pushed too hard. It wasn’t us sparring, just moving that way that hurt.”

“Fine, but we’re done for the day. I don’t need Cap yelling at me before I’m even hired.”

It’d been a few months since Eddie decided to apply to the LAFD academy. The process was about as long or longer really than his getting shipped out by the Army, but he finally got through the physical and psychological evaluations and is waiting for the conditional offer of employment.

“No email yet right?”

“No cariño, not since we checked this morning. I swear, you’re more nervous about it than I am.”

Eddie’s phone chimes from the gym bag next to him.

“Not nervous, excited.”

Another chime.

“More excited then.”

He reaches over and drops a kiss on Buck’s cheek. He starts to remove his gloves and wraps, watching as Buck does the same. He tosses both sets into the gym bag and grabs his phone, scrolling through his notifications.

New Messages from Papi on December 15th, 2018:

(8:31 am)

Are you sure mijo?

I can convince her to visit some other time.

To Papi:

It’s Christmas, if she wants to try I won’t stop her.

But if she disrespects me or Buck in any way…

From Papi:

We talked to Pepa already, she’s willing to have us stay with her.

I’m looking forward to meeting Buck, Chris has told us a lot about him.

New message from Shannon on December 15th, 2018:

(7:49 am)

Call me when you see this?

“Shit.”

Eddie tosses his phone into the bag and stands. He holds out a hand to Buck, pulling the man up and walking towards the exit.

“What happened?”

“Shannon messaged me. I’m sure it’s about Christmas, but I just told my parents that they were welcome for the holiday.”

“And your parents don’t get along with Shannon.”

Buck grabs the bag from Eddie, reaching in to grab their phones and the keys. He opens Eddie’s door, making him smile and places the gym bag in the back seat.

“Gracias cariño. Honestly, Shannon would do pretty much anything to avoid my mother.” Buck moves toward the driver’s side, and looks at Eddie to continue as he turns the car on. “But it’s Christmas and I don’t think I want Chris to have to choose between spending it with us or with his mom.”

“Call her first. You and her have been on good terms lately, maybe it’s not even about the holidays.”

Eddie hums, pulling up Shannon’s contact and pressing call. He waits.

“Hey Shan, You wanted me to call?”

“Yeah, you with Buck?”

“Yeah. Why?” Eddie looks over at Buck, the man tapping along to the soft music coming from the stereo.

“Great, put me on speaker.”

Eddie turns the stereo down, earning a look from Buck. He points to the phone as he puts it on speaker.

“You’re on speaker.”

“Hi Buck!”

“Hey, Shannon. What’s going on?”

“Chris, wants to go see Santa but I’ve been getting more shifts lately and then school.”

Buck pulls on S Bedford and looks at Eddie, he mouths: can we take him?

“Shan, would you be fine with me and Buck taking him? We’ll send you pictures, maybe meet up with you after so you can see him.”

“That would be perfect. I know I normally take him but finals are coming up and —”

“And you don’t have to do it alone, neither of you do. You both know you can ask me for whatever you need right? Chris is the best kid in the world and he’ll understand that mom and dad have to study, all that kid talks about is how happy he is to be able to see you again Shannon.”

Shannon sniffles through the phone and Eddie reaches over to take Buck’s hand, pulling it up to press a kiss to it. After Greenway and the UFC outed him, Shannon had reached out and they started talking through what they could. They fought a lot, the emotions flooding back as they talked about how they left things, how alone they each felt. But after Pepa suggested they see someone for the sake of Chris, therapy seemed like the way to go. A month in, Chris saw his mom for the first time in years.

“Fuck. How are you even real?”

Buck takes Eddie’s phone as they slide out of the car and make their way inside. 

“I meant it okay? I’m here for whatever you need.”

“Thank you, really.”

Eddie takes the phone back as Buck reaches down to remove his shoes. A slight hiss escapes him.

“Shan, what about Christmas Eve and Christmas, you wanna do them together, split his time?”

“Um, I really don’t know. Spending it together would be better, but last I heard, you weren’t sure if Buck would be working or if you’d be in Texas.”

“Mom and Dad are coming here.”

“Eddie.”

“I know. I know, but dad’s been better, you know that. Mom hasn’t even tried talking to me.”

Buck scoffs from the kitchen, the sound of the refrigerator opening and closing.

“And you still want me there?”

“You’re family, of course I want you there. I just, I had to tell you so we could plan our escape if needed.”

Buck smacks his arm as he walks back in, a bowl of yogurt and berries with a spoon sticking out handed to him.

“We don’t need an escape plan, just a plan of attack. They’ll be guests in your home. Yes, they’re family, but that doesn’t mean anyone will tolerate disrespect.”

For the next twenty minutes Eddie, Buck, and Shannon agree on what they should do in the event Helena makes snide comments about anything really, on how to react if Chris feels babied or uncomfortable, and who would say something if they saw conversation getting too close to fighting in front of Chris.

“I think that’s it right?”

“Eddie, she’s meeting Buck for the first time isn’t she?”

“Fuck.”

Buck looks at him confused.

“I thought we covered that? The casual homophobia and trying to either ignore me or talk over me right?”

Eddie exhales.

“It’s not just that. She’ll get one you about different things too. If you can handle all of the drama that  comes with a divorced parent, she’ll bring up Chris’s CP, how she wants him limit himself and be careful. She hated Shannon for not speaking Spanish even though she struggles with it…it’s everything cariño.”

“I already told you, I’m all in. Chris’s CP just means research on how to make things accessible and safe, that’s it. And if it bugs her that much? Eddie, sabes muy bien que puedo hablar el Español. Anything else, we’ll deal with together.”

“Jesus… if Eddie hasn’t already said it, I love you.”

Eddie blushes and looks down at their joined hands. Neither of them had said it yet. Not that he didn’t feel it, everyday he fell a little bit further in love with Buck and he was sure that Buck felt the same.

“Wow, is this you trying to steal me away?”

Shannon laughs.

“Eddie would definitely kill me.”

“You think so?”

“Are you kidding? Eddie, you have told him what I said when you should first showed me his picture right?”

Eddie raises an eyebrow.

“Nope.”

“What did you say?”

“I said you were hot. Okay no, I think I said that I wouldn’t mind having to call 9-1-1 if it meant seeing you in gear, but come on the blush on your face was so worth it Eddie.”

“That’s not that bad.” Buck laughs. “I’ve had worse from drunk people on calls.”

“I never said it was bad, just that you were mine.”

“Oh.” Buck’s cheeks start to tinge pink and Eddie has to fight pulling him closer.

“So I wouldn’t kill Shan, but I might fight her.”

Buck chuckles beside him.

“Down boy, I’m happy to have him as is. But, I’ll let you guys get back to your morning, I have a few things to do before my class today.”

“Talk to you for Chris’s bedtime?”

“Count on it Buckley. Bye!”

The line cuts out and Eddie finds himself being pushed back on the couch, Buck hovering over him. He pulls Buck down by the front of his shirt and smiles into the kiss.

“You,” kiss “are,” kiss “so,” kiss “possessive.” Buck mumbles as he moves down his face, peppering more kisses until Eddie pulls him back up. He swipes his thumb over Buck’s cheek, placing a kiss on his cheek, his temple, lingering on his birthmark, and finally losing himself on his lips. Buck’s hands are steady around Eddie’s neck as Eddie pushes himself up moving them to sit up, Buck on his lap. He pulls away, a groan coming from Buck.

“We don’t have time cariño, I gotta shower before meeting with the lawyer.”

“Fuck. You’re right.”

“Yeah, last one I hope.”

“Want me to go with you? I don’t have to meet up with Athena until later. And I know you don’t want to get hounded with questions by Taylor again.”

“I’ll be fine. You are not letting that woman get anywhere near you.”

“She’s not that bad.”

“She wanted to film the 118 while the were dosed with LSD and run it on the 8 o’ clock news, forgive me for not liking the woman. You should be resting anyway, don’t think I forgot about the bruised ribs.”

Eddie slowly pushes Buck’s shirt up to take a look at the bruising. He trails the path of yellow and purple lightly, listening to when but hisses at the contact. Buck shifts in his lap as he slumps his head onto Eddie’s shoulder. The friction enough to make Eddie dig the pads of his fingers into Buck’s hips.

“Evan.” He warns.

“Hurts a bit,” Buck sighs as he moves off his lap and sits next to him instead, “Fuck. You gotta shower. I should probably get back to the loft and get ready too.”

Eddie nods.

“You could leave clothes here too you know? Or wear mine.”

Buck smiles at him.

“I’ll bring some over. I don’t wanna stretch out your shirts.”

“You’re not that much bigger than me.”

“Yet. I’m a growing boy.” Eddie rolls his eyes, he knows Buck’s right. He is working out more frequently, eating better, the muscle is starting to show. “I can be here to relieve Carla after I meet up with Athena if the meeting goes long. We’re only going over what to bring for Christmas dinner at the station and checking in with Karen and Maddie about what they’re gonna bring.”

“It shouldn’t take too long, but I’m sure Chris will be happy to see you. Come over after anyway? Or we can head to yours? We do have a rematch to see about.”

Buck smirks at him.

“Ohh. That’s right. I did beat your record last time. Wanna go for the title?” Eddie grabs a small throw pillow that had been discarded on the ground and smacks Buck with it.

“Behave.”  Eddie stands walking toward the bedroom. He turns in time to see Buck throwing the pillow at him, and just barely avoids getting hit. He chucks it back before opening the bedroom door.

Chapter Text

When the lawyer first called him, he thought it was a joke, some petty money grab at a corporation. Both Abuela and Tía Pepa convinced him to hear the lawyer out and only then decide. He’s glad he did. Turns out he wasn’t the only fighter that was being used to push Greenway up the ladder, someone within the UFC was using trainers and other team members to get intel on fighters at every level.

Sure enough Greenway was on his way to a lightweight belt. The news had not taken the scandal lightly, the UFC having to pause Greenway’s participation in the league while the case was ongoing. At least four other fighters from the West Coast alone have spoken up. Most of the fighters affected have received online support from fans who were confused about their departure and the UFC quickly reinstated most of them due to public demand. But not Eddie. The screenshots and messages outing him were still circulating, causing fans of the UFC to spark online debates about the organization’s views on LGBTQIA+ athletes. Some supported him, sending messages of hope, he held on to those. Then, some streamers and podcasters rallied behind Jonah Greenway, calling for the UFC to strip Eddie of his win. It only took two weeks for Eddie to receive his first legitimate death threat.

The lawyer, Mr. Ramirez, had made it clear to the UFC public relations department and lawyers that unlike his former colleagues, Eddie was not only wrongfully terminated after winning a match but as a result of his involuntary public outing, he was now at the center of a heated and dangerous political divide among the fighting community and the UFC could held liable for his safety.

“Our clients have reviewed your demands and are prepared to make a more than generous offer.” One of their lawyers slides a manila folder toward the center of the conference table. Eddie takes a moment to look to Mr. Ramirez, the man's face scrunching in concentration as he reads over the documents.

“Calling this generous is a stretch. It’s what is owed. If you would, I’d like the room to consult with my client before proceeding.”

The lawyers all stand and make their way out of the conference room, the soft click of the door filling the silence.

“So?”

Mr. Ramirez slides the envelope toward him.

“They’re offering you a five million dollar settlement, Eddie. Now, I’m not trying to sway you either way. I want to explain what it means and then ask you something that could determine what you want to do.”

“What’s making you question it?”

“Not questioning, making sure it's what you need. It’s pretty standard for a company this size, the Non-Disclosure Agreement, Release of Claims, everything. If you sign, it means that we step away from it and don’t take them to trial. We don’t have your name or anything about your case attached to any potential class action suit unless a court of law deems it necessary. It a protection for you, but mostly the company. After our agreed flat rate and taxes, you’d be looking at maybe $3.8 million.”

“Bet you’re regretting giving me the flat rate.”

“Not at all, especially when I know what you want to do with most of this money. But I need to ask, did you wish to continue a career in fighting?”

It feels wrong to continue, as much as he loved being in the octagon, the hate he keeps seeing pop up has already stepped into death threat territory.

“No, I don’t think I can safely be in the octagon and not have a target on my back. The UFC doesn’t have to worry about me asking for the job. The press release is all I’m really worried about after this.”

"Right. Then Eddie, once you sign, you are acknowledging that their company or any of its affiliates do not guarantee employment should you choose to try and continue a professional MMA career."

"We both know they wouldn't take me back either way, not with how many assholes are yelling in the comments about my sexuality and what they'd like to do to me."

“That was the other thing, it’s a condition to your signing and they know that. It’s a pre-approved message they are willing to post or throw out to news media but it won’t necessarily stop the hate you’ve already been getting. Have you gotten any other death threats?”

Eddie breathes out.

“Not that I’ve seen? And I reported the original one to LAPD. I just — I want to be done with it. I lost my career because I wouldn’t lose my honor, all I need them to say is that the current record will stand. I beat Greenway that night.”

Mr. Ramirez nods.

“Very well, I’ll get them to confirm the message and we will sign as soon they give notice to post.”

Walking out of the building goes about as well as he thought it would. Eddie can make out Taylor’s long red hair and as much as he doesn’t want to talk to her, she’s probably the only one of these journalists he know won’t try and twist his words.

“Eddie, how are you?”

“Taylor. Shall we get this over with?”

“You giving me the exclusive?”

“Consider it me weaponizing your opportunist and selfish nature.”

“You wound me, Diaz. But fine,” Taylor turns to the crowd of cameras and microphones behind them, “sorry boys and girls, Mr. Diaz will be exclusively talking to us today, I look forward to reading all your opinion and think pieces about the interview later.”

Eddie laughs at her confident dismissal of the few journalists who try to stay behind. She directs Eddie and her camera man toward a picturesque view of the building, moving Eddie into “suitable” light. She picks at his hair and clothes, before he takes her hand off of him and drops it on her side.

“The interview Taylor.”

“You’re no fun.”

“And you’re being annoying.”

“Fine, any topics you need to highlight? Avoid?”

“Don’t mention Buck or Chris by name. They’ve been getting by without threats, I’d like to keep it that way.”

“Of course. Anything else?”

“My army career. I don’t want to talk about it —”

“Eddie, the entire world already knows. We have to ask questions about it.”

“I might not answer. That has to be okay with you.”

"No military talk, got it."

Taylor flips him off before the camera starts recording and he can see how he demeanor shifts into professional.

“Taylor Kelly coming to you with an exclusive interview with none other than former MMA Lightweight Fighter Edmundo “Eddie” Diaz. Now Eddie, you’ve been caught in the middle of a huge scandal for the UFC. Jonah Greenway, a contender in your weight class, has been accused of breaking fight integrity starting as early as your fight with him a few weeks ago. Can you tell us what it’s been like getting all this sudden media attention?”

“I’m not usually one for cameras,” Eddie laughs a bit, avoiding the camera as if to prove his point. “It caught me off guard. I normally don’t have to think about my safety or my family’s safety like this.”

“Prior to your fight with Greenway, you mean. From what we could find, you don’t have championship belt in your weight class beyond high school where you, to be blunt, demolished competition. You had a promising career ahead of you, why had we not seen more of you before this?”

Eddie swallows.

“A few reasons, some personal, some just having to do with where my head and body were at during the last few years.”

“Even so, a man of your talent would have garnered the attention of sponsors right?”

“My former manager liked to say that I didn’t make myself very marketable, truth is, things like this?” Eddie points toward himself and Taylor, then at the camera. “They were never the priority to me.”

Taylor hums. She motions for the camera man to stop and turn to Eddie, nudging him over to the side. “The light shifted, stand… right there. Perfect. Just a few more questions, nothing too bad.” She nods to the camera man again.

“As I’m sure you’re aware, The UFC has been pretty silent about their fanbase and the rhetoric being tossed around online. You’ve gotten some support from fans and local LGBT organizations, has anyone from your former team reached out to you?”

“No.” He was never close enough to the fighters or his team that he’d consider them friends. And after blocking Lena, he didn’t really care. “Most of them are probably busy with their seasons. And with things the way they are, I understand if they don’t want to stick their heads out for me.”

“You were receiving death threats correct?”

“I was aware of at least one legitimate death threat, which I’m sure you know was posted everywhere. There were more hateful messages and threats but I haven’t really gone looking for more.”

“Those were some pretty heinous acts detailed in those posts. You mentioned never having to worry about your family’s safety like this before, how are they responding to all this?”

Eddie thinks about Tía Pepa’s reaction after everything came out. She was furious, taking Eddie’s phone from him and screening each call that came in. His dad was the first person who his tía let him talk to besides Buck. The line was quiet before his dad told him he loved him, that they had left the church. The pastor, along with the ladies his mom was friends with sneered and made comments about Eddie after the news dropped. It made his dad uncomfortable, he never wanted to teach that to his kids, and wasn’t around enough to go to mass with them when they were younger. He didn’t know. Eddie let himself cry, and held in the desire to ask for his mom.

“Eddie?” Taylor repeats.

“Sorry. What was the question?”

“How is your family responding to all this?”

“Honestly? Better than I could have hoped for. When everything got leaked, what hurt was the uncertainty. I didn’t know if the person who was in the photograph that got leaked would ever talk to me again. I would’ve understood if he didn’t. I also didn’t know what it meant for my future in the league or what kinds of things my son could hear being said about me by his friends, their families, our family. But I have some pretty great people in my corner.”

“You do. Including some of the fans we talked about earlier, a few of them have made some waves, organizing the boycott of UFC's paid events or merchandise. Care to comment on that?”

“I'm thankful and concerned.”

“Explain that.”

“I knew I was gay before being based in Los Angeles. I never advertised it, but I also never lied about it. I grew up very religious and I wasn’t lucky enough to be accepted as I am by some of my family. For a while, that meant I did have to hide it. So when I made a choice to keep my honor and integrity as a fighter and I was publicly outed, a lot of that came back. The fans who supported me, I can’t thank them enough. I’m not the only athlete, actor, public figure, whatever who is going to go through this or who has gone through this. I don’t want to stop them from organizing, or boycotting, or looking for change, it’s important. The fact that I have any role in that isn't something I ever really expected. But I do want them all to think of their safety too. ”

“Your safety happened to be play a major part in the lawsuit you posted against the UFC. Is there anything you can tell us about how that’s going?”

“The UFC should have an official press release, what I’m able and willing to share is that the threat has been reported and I’m working with local authorities to keep those around me safe. I’ll be happier when this chapter of my life is closed and we can all move forward.”

“No Cinderella story for Edmundo “Eddie” Diaz then?”

“No.”

“Well, you heard it heard first folks, Eddie Diaz says goodbye to The UFC. One last question for before you say goodbye to us, the person in the photos, did he stick around?”

Eddie smiles. Buck might try and yell at him for doing this interview with Taylor, but he hopes she keeps this part in.

“We were on our first date in that picture, it was the most fun I’d had in a while. After the leak, he sent me a few messages and my heart sank. I thought that was it, I would never see the guy again. But when I opened them, he was being just as supportive as my tía and son were. He’s… it might seem early but I think he’s it for me.”

Eddie’s smile is soft and Taylor hums as a genuine smile forms on her lips.

“Thank you, Eddie. For the interview and for sharing what I can guess will be LA’s finest relationship.”

The camera cuts and Taylor hands the microphone to her cameraman.

“Did you just—”

“Playfully hint at the steamy relationship between a hot firefighter and a hot ex-fighter?”

“Don’t objectify me.”

Taylor laughs.

“Look, I know you’re not my biggest fan, but thank you for letting me do this for you. Coming out should always be your choice. And it sucks that they took it from you.”

“Careful, I’m gonna start to think you care about others.”

“Please, tell me the dickbags didn’t screw you over. OFF the record, of course.”

“Taylor, even if I wanted to and believe me when I say I don’t, I can’t tell you.”

She sighs dramatically and starts walking away from him. She turns and smiles.

“Tell Buck I said hi?”

“Not a chance.”