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buddie-buddie · 10 days ago

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The headquarters of the Buckley campaign are alive with overlapping voices, ringing phones, and the low hum of news coverage on every available screen.

It’s election night, the air thick with anticipation as staffers, volunteers, and supporters move around the space, each one carrying an energy that’s equal parts excitement and tension. Tables are crowded with stacks of voter turnout reports and precinct updates, laptops open and phones buzzing as every new projection is analyzed and discussed.

Large screens along the walls display a constant stream of election coverage, each network breaking down swing states, exit polls, and county-by-county tallies. Color-coded maps flash across the screens, updates coming in minute by minute, with each projected win or loss sending a new ripple through the room. The cheers, murmurs, and exchanged glances create a low, steady hum that’s almost like white noise, underscored by the ever-present tension of the night’s stakes.

There’s an air of barely contained excitement, a collective holding of breath as everyone waits, glued to the screens, hoping for the numbers they’ve spent months working toward.

Between Buck’s team and Eddie’s, there are well over three dozen people milling around the room, but Eddie’s attention belongs to only one of them.

Buck sits on the edge of one of the desks, his posture just a little too rigid. His shoulders are drawn up tighter than usual, muscles tense. One leg is crossed over the other, but his foot bounces in a restless rhythm, betraying the nerves Eddie’s certain he’s trying his hardest to mask. His fingers tap against his knee, an unconscious beat that grows faster each time the news anchor cuts to another update.

He’s looking calm enough if you didn’t know him well, if you weren’t paying attention to the slight furrow in his brow or the way his jaw tenses every few seconds. But Eddie does know him. He knows the way Buck’s gaze keeps flitting to the nearest TV screen and then back down, never quite settling, as if he can’t bear to watch for too long. The strain in Buck’s expression is subtle, barely there, but to Eddie, it’s as obvious as a shout.

Eddie’s gut twists, both in sympathy and in something deeper, something that makes his heart beat a little faster. He’s enamored by Buck— has been from the start, from the moment he met him. Even now, in the middle of this crowded room, with the weight of an election hanging over him, Buck is captivating in a way that’s impossible to ignore.

And Eddie can’t look away.

Thankfully, it’s his job not to.

But keeping an eye on the guy he’s sworn to protect is a far cry from what Eddie really wants to do, from what he longs for with every breath and every heartbeat. It takes everything in him not to move closer, not to cross the room and kneel in front of Buck, to take Buck’s hands in his. He longs to kiss the worry lines off his forehead, to run his thumb over Buck’s bottom lip, to soothe the faint indentation where his teeth have been digging into it all night.

He feels helpless against the near-magnetic pull he feels toward Buck, how desperately he longs to reassure him, to let him know he doesn’t have to carry this alone. That Eddie has enough faith in him for the both of them.

There isn’t a doubt in his mind that tonight belongs to Buck. Never in his life has he been more certain about a presidential candidate’s ability to win–– and it's not because he’s spent the last fourteen months sharing most of his waking hours with the guy.

And many of his sleeping ones, too.

No, it has nothing at all to do with that and everything to do with Buck’s vision for the future, with the conviction Eddie has seen firsthand, day in and day out. He’s watched Buck pour himself into this campaign, not out of ambition or ego, but out of a genuine, undying love for the people he wants to serve. Buck’s loyalty to this country runs as deep as anything Eddie’s ever seen, and he believes in it wholeheartedly. He believes in Buck’s relentless drive to make things better, to bring hope and unity to a country that desperately needs it. Buck has a fire, a determination, that’s as clear as the blue in his eyes, and Eddie knows that if anyone deserves to win this, it’s him.

Eddie’s confidence isn’t just personal— it’s built on everything he’s witnessed, every late-night conversation about policies and plans, every impassioned speech, every flash of determination in Buck’s eyes when he talks about what he envisions for the future of America.

There’s no doubt in Eddie’s mind those 270 electoral votes are his. Hell, he’d bet his house and every dollar to his name that Buck takes well over 300 of them.

But it’s clear Buck doesn’t have the same faith in himself. There’s a pang in Eddie’s chest as he watches him, seeing the unease he can’t quite mask, despite his best efforts.

Eddie hates seeing Buck like this— tense, wound tight like he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

And he is, in a way. Eddie knows it. Just as he knows how hard Buck is trying to keep it together for everyone in the room, to project that calm confidence he thinks they need from him.

But he’s struggling, Eddie can tell.

Maddie stands beside Buck, her hand resting on his shoulder as she gives him a reassuring squeeze.

Words could never accurately convey just how grateful Eddie is for Maddie and all she does for Buck. Maddie is the person you want by your side–– in the good moments and the bad ones, too. And it’s not just about her work on the campaign, though she’s brilliant and absolutely incredible at what she does. It’s about her loyalty, her fierce, unwavering commitment to Buck’s happiness, his vision, his dreams.

Eddie’s grateful to Maddie for everything. For raising him and loving him and being his cheerleader and his confidante and his champion every step of the way. And for being here, for knowing exactly what Buck needs and offering it so freely.

And yet, despite the gratitude, there’s a flash of something else— something raw and unbidden— that twists in Eddie’s chest. A flicker of jealousy, sharp and undeniable, because Maddie gets to be the one beside Buck right now. She’s the one comforting him in a way that Eddie wishes more than anything that he could. She gets to reach out, offer that reassurance, bridge the gap that Eddie has to keep firmly in place.

He watches as Maddie squeezes Buck’s shoulder, her touch gentle and familiar, her presence a steadying force. Eddie aches to be the one in her place.

No, not in her place. He doesn’t want to replace her. Maddie is Buck’s sister, his family, his anchor through every high and low, and Eddie knows how much that matters. He knows how essential she is to Buck’s life, how her love and support grounds him in a way no one else’s could. And he’s grateful for that— grateful that Buck has Maddie beside him, someone who knows him so completely and loves him unconditionally, just as he deserves.

Eddie just wishes he could be there, too. Alongside her. To share in offering that reassurance, to stand beside Maddie as a constant in Buck’s life. He wants to be part of that inner circle, not to take Maddie’s place at the table but to pull up a chair of his own.

But he can’t. Not here, not with so many eyes watching. So he swallows it all down, grateful and envious in equal measure.

The tension in the room rises as more people move in and out, staffers murmuring updates and running quick calculations. One of them leans in, whispering something to Buck, and he nods, forcing a faint, strained smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

Eddie sees right through it.

As Buck glances across the room, his gaze lands on Eddie, and for just a brief second, their eyes meet. In that moment, Eddie catches a flicker of something vulnerable— something Buck would never let the rest of the room see. But Eddie sees it, and it’s enough to make his resolve tighten. He can’t stand the thought of Buck bearing this weight alone, can’t stand seeing that doubt flash in his eyes.

Just then, a break in the commotion creates a quiet lull. Eddie seizes it, catching Buck’s eye and nodding subtly toward the door that leads to the back hallway. Buck hesitates for a second, glancing around quickly before standing up and slipping away, Eddie following close behind.

Buck heads for an empty office at the end of the hallway, far enough from the main room and all the excitement of the night that no one will stumble upon them.

The second they’re alone, Eddie closes the door behind them, blocking out the noise and leaving them in a pocket of silence. Buck lets out a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair, his shoulders slumping just slightly as the weight of the night catches up to him.

Eddie doesn’t say anything at first, just watches him, taking in the vulnerability Buck allows himself only in this moment.

“You doing okay?” Eddie asks gently. His voice is low and steady, but there’s an edge of worry there that he doesn’t bother hiding.

Buck nods, but his gaze drops, betraying the truth. “Y–Yeah. I mean… it’s, uh. It’s a lot,” he admits, his voice quiet, almost hesitant. He glances up, giving Eddie a tight smile. “Trying to keep it together, you know?”

Eddie nods. “I know.”

He doesn’t say anything else. He doesn’t need to. He knows that Buck is searching for his words, trying to sift through the flood of thoughts and emotions churning inside him.

Eddie recognizes the look in Buck’s eye— the one that says he’s struggling to make sense of it all, feeling the weight of every hope, fear, and responsibility pressing down on him. So Eddie just waits, steady and silent, giving Buck the space he needs to untangle it all.

He’ll give Buck all the time he needs. Eddie would stop the world for him if he could.

Buck’s eyes search his for a moment, as if gauging how much he can let down the guard he’s been holding up all night. “It’s just… what if it’s not enough? All this work, all these people counting on me, what if it– if I–”

Eddie’s hand finds Buck’s shoulder, a silent promise. “You’ve done everything possible, Buck. And you’ve done it better than anyone else could.” He pauses, letting the sincerity of his words settle. “This is your night. I believe in you.”

Buck’s gaze falters, his mouth pulling into a frown. “What if we lose Pennsylvania?”

Eddie cuts him off gently, shaking his head. “Your home state? No chance.”

“But–”

“But nothing,” Eddie says simply. “All the polls have you taking it by a landslide. That state has been behind you from day one. You’re not losing it.”

Buck bites his lip, and Eddie can see another worry forming in his mind before he even says it. “Yeah, but what if— what if the turnout isn’t what we expected? What if the numbers were off, or— or the projections weren’t accurate?”

Eddie raises an eyebrow, a small, amused smile tugging at his lips. “You’ve got every reputable source predicting a win. A runaway, in fact. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re just looking for something to worry about now.”

“But–”

Eddie takes a step forward, closing the distance between them. His voice drops, low and steady. “You’re going to win. Trust me.”

Buck tries to respond, another worry on the tip of his tongue, but Eddie doesn’t give him the chance. Instead, he leans in, pressing a soft, gentle kiss to Buck’s forehead, right where the worry lines have creased all night.

Buck’s breath hitches, and Eddie trails a gentle kiss to his temple, then another to his cheek, each one a wordless reassurance.

“Eddie…” Buck starts, but Eddie kisses the bridge of his nose, effectively silencing him. Buck’s shoulders relax a little more with each touch.

“Shh,” Eddie murmurs, a faint smile playing on his lips as he continues to pepper kisses across Buck’s face. “No more worrying, alright? It’s your night, Buck. Let yourself have it.”

Buck nods, his face softening as the tension finally begins to fade. He steps closer, reaching up to rest a hand on Eddie’s cheek, his thumb brushing gently over his skin.

“Thank you,” Buck breathes, barely audible. There’s a tenderness in his eyes, something unspoken but deep, as he leans in, his lips meeting Eddie’s in a soft, lingering kiss.

The touch is warm, familiar, and achingly gentle, carrying the weight of everything Buck hasn’t said out loud, but Eddie hears all the same. Eddie’s hand settles at Buck’s waist, pulling him just a little closer, his heartbeat steadying as he melts into the kiss.

For a moment, everything fades away. The noise, the pressure, the stakes, all of it.

It’s just them, steady and certain.

“Always,” Eddie murmurs, just loud enough for Buck to hear, a promise woven into the quiet moment that stretches between them.

Buck leans back, a bit of peace finally settling over him. “We should get back in there,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper. Eddie can see the reluctance in his eyes, mirroring his own.

But they’re on begged and borrowed time, and they both know it. With a slight nod, Eddie reaches for the door, his fingers lingering on the handle as he pulls it open, his gaze still on Buck.

“After you, Mr. President,” he says, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Buck gives him a look, somewhere between amusement and a hint of exasperation, his lips twitching in a barely-contained smile. He rolls his eyes, but there’s a glimmer of warmth in his expression, a quiet confidence that Eddie hasn’t seen yet tonight.

As Buck steps past him, their pinkies brush— a small, fleeting touch, but one that sends a spark through Eddie all the same. Eddie doesn’t pull his hand away, letting the touch linger as long as he dares.

It feels like a promise, a shared acknowledgment that whatever happens tonight, whatever waits for them beyond those doors, they’re in this together. Eddie’s chest tightens with a quiet certainty, a sneaking suspicion that no matter the outcome tonight, they’ve already won something bigger.

also on ao3

#happy election day have some white house au #anyone else bugging out?#no?#just me?#cool cool cool cool cool #white house au #my writing #president buck #secret service agent eddie diaz #buddie #buddie au #buddie white house au #i forget how to tag for white house au #that's what i get for going a year and a half without an update #evan buckley #eddie diaz #buck x eddie #buddie fic

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