“It’s too late,” Eddie says - a look on his face so simultaneously soft and heartbroken that Buck can feel his own shatter right along with it. “I blew it - I should have been… more… brave. When I told you about the will, or when you asked about the shooting - or any time in between - or since, and I wasn’t-“
“It’s not your fault-“ Buck tries, throat thick as he clutches a hand into a fist to keep from reaching out.
“Maybe,” Eddie admits, shrugging, gently adjusting Buck’s bowtie. The faint brush of his index finger against his pulse point feels like a lit match. “But it’s not yours, either - maybe it’s just… timing.”
“Eddie…” Buck breathes. feeling a tear escape his waterline.
“Tommy’s a good guy. He’s nice to you, right? Treats you well?”
“Uh…” Buck clears his throat, looking down at his naked ring finger - the one soon to be adorned with a golden band. “Yeah. Yeah, of course.”
Irina Cisternino, a PhD candidate of Stony Brooke University, is writing their research on topics related to technology, art and fandom. You can participate by filling out a survey and additionally, signing up for an interview. The survey is expected to last until at least the end of April, those, who signed up for the interview, will be contacted later. You need to be at least 18 years old to participate in either, be able to understand and speak English and identify as a fan.
After the completion of the research, it will be accessible as the dissertation of the researcher. If you have further questions, you can contact Irina Cisternino at [email protected] or Lu-Ann Kozlowsky at [email protected].