Chapter Text
As he slowly blinked awake – Eddie registered the weight across the side of his body and chest. Looking down, he saw Buck peacefully snoozing against his chest, a faint smile on his lips even as he slept. Buck’s arms were tight around Eddie like if he let them be any looser Eddie would turn into dust.
Eddie wasn't sure how Buck would act this morning, Maddie hadn't told him this part, so he carefully grabbed his phone from the bedside table and googled it. Unknowingly, the movement stirred Buck awake, a tired groan left his mouth as he tried to bury himself further into Eddie’s chest. He chuckled and used his other hand to stroke Buck’s hair gently as he woke. The general consensus from the two articles Eddie read was that every person was different and he'd just have to wait and see.
“Good morning” Eddie said, watching as Buck smiles at his voice.
“G’mornin” He replied quietly. Not enough for Eddie to tell whether Buck was still regressed.
“How do you feel this morning, Evan?” Eddie asked, waiting diligently for Buck’s sleepy brain to catch up.
“I want to stay here forever” Eddie chuckled, deducing that Buck was still somewhat little.
“We have to have breakfast bud. We can come back up here and watch TV after breakfast if you want to?” He had no clue what he'd make for breakfast, really hoping Buck had some cereal left over from when Christopher stayed over. Buck nodded against his chest and pushed himself to sit up, Eddie doing the same after him. "Get dressed and then come down, I'll find you something to eat” Eddie instructed, standing up and waiting for confirmation before going down the stairs to the kitchen.
Whilst searching the cabinets, Eddie thought about what age Buck was right now. Probably like 8-10, because he’s talking and functioning a lot like he'd imagine Buck at that age. Finally finding some cereal he internally cheered and brought out a bowl, going to the fridge for milk. That’s where he found Maddie’s note.
Eddie,
You both have the day off, I came back after work and you were both asleep so I figured I’d leave you to it. He looked very happy. He usually comes out of regression either very suddenly or slowly ages up so look out for either of them. (also usually doesn't remember much after).
Thank you for looking after him, call me if you need anything,
Maddie x
Truly, she was a goddess. Buck padded slowly down the stairs and towards Eddie, pulling the sleeves on Eddie’s hoodie over his hands shyly. He probably just found it on the floor and put it on, but Eddie wasn't going to complain if that's what Buck chose to wear. Watching as Eddie pushed a bowl of cereal towards him with a smile, Buck smiled back and took it to the table. Eddie came over soon with his own bowl and they ate next to each other in silence, Buck watching Eddie out of the corner of his eye before he finished eating.
“Can we go see Maddie?” Buck asked quietly when Eddie put his spoon down. Eddie thought for a moment,
“Want her to come here or do you want to go to her apartment?”
“Hers.” He answered definitely, Eddie nodded.
“Let me call her and we'll go over after I get dressed, okay?” Eddie said and Buck smiled at him, going to the bathroom to brush his teeth while Eddie went upstairs to rifle through Buck’s closet for new clothes. Once he found some and put them on, he called Maddie.
“Hey Eddie, everything okay?” She asked as soon as she picked up.
“Yeah. You're not at work, right?”
“Nope, Sue gave me the day off after yesterday. Chimney's got a 24, he just left”
“Great. Buck wants to come over, spend the day with you at yours” He told her, he could practically hear her grin as she replied,
“Of course, come over! I have some colouring books and stuff from last times over here. Did you find Jack?”
“Whose Jack?”
“His golden retriever toy, I think he sits on the shelf in the wardrobe. Buck loves him, Hen bought him for Buck last year as a joke but I think he cried with happiness after he went home” Maddie said with a little chuckle, “He's probably older than he was yesterday but even adult Buck loves that thing to death”
Eddie reopens the wardrobe and stands on his tiptoes to find the, honestly wonderful, golden retriever stuffed toy. Eddie took it off the shelf and let out a little laugh, just thinking about how Buck the toy is. He knows Jack isn't as old as Shaun and honestly he didn't trust that the stuffed sheep wouldn't fall apart as soon as he took it outside so Jack would definitely be a better option to take.“Thanks Maddie. We’ll be there soon!” Eddie says, hanging up after Maddie said goodbye. He walked down the stairs with the dog.
“Hey, Evan? Do you wanna take Jack to Maddie’s?” He asked, holding the toy out as he stands in front of Buck, who smiles shyly and takes the dog in his own hands. Smiling wider as he nods and hugs it towards his chest, Eddie grinned. “Great, can you get your shoes and socks on for me, bud? Then we will get going!” He says excitedly as Buck goes to do just that.
-
Buck rocked excitedly in his chair throughout the car journey, Eddie couldn't keep the grin off his face. He loved seeing Buck so carefree and excited, it really showed just how much he loved Maddie, something adult Buck expressed enough but little Buck couldn't stop expressing his love. Eddie had to kept telling himself to watch the road and not Buck but he can't help himself every few minutes, watching as Buck took in the things he saw through the window as he clutched Jack the dog.
Eddie parked up and diligently got out quickly to open Buck’s door for him. He was glad Maddie’s and Chimney’s building had no guard at times like these, just in case anyone would judge Buck. He took him to the lift and they got there in no time, knocking on the door. Maddie opened a second later with a huge grin on her face.
“Hey Evan!” She said enthusiastically, opening her arms for a hug which Buck threw himself into, nearly knocking her over but she steadied herself quickly before latching onto Buck just as tightly. “Thought we could just have a relaxing day together, yeah? Watch some TV or do some colouring, whatever you want” She smiled. Eddie came in and shut the door quietly behind them.
“Ev, take your shoes off” Eddie reminded him gently as he took his own off and rested them near the door, Buck doing the same before he took Maddie’s hand and dragged her to the couch. He looked back at Eddie and beckoned him to follow, sandwiching Buck in between them. Maddie started flicking through her TV channels and whatnot before settling on a show that Eddie had never seen but he remembered Buck talked about how he and Maddie watched it religiously as kids. Buck sighed happily and somehow snuggled into both of them, completely engrossed in the TV show.
“When do you need to pick Chris up?” Maddie asked Eddie, not distracting Buck one bit.
“Carla is taking him back to mine at 3 but it's okay if i'm still needed here, Chris won’t mind. He’d probably insist” Eddie said with a little laugh at the end. Maddie nodded, checking the time on her watch, 10:30am.
“He’ll probably nap for an hour after lunch and after that he should be out of regression” She informed him, Eddie nodded and looked down to where Buck had dragged his arm to curl around him whilst also holding his hand and having the left side of his body cuddled into Maddie as well. It didn’t feel as awkward as it looked, and as long as Buck was happy, neither of them minded.
-
Maddie’s prediction was right, she made plain tomato pasta and after Buck had eaten, he nearly fell asleep at the table so Maddie got him set up in the spare room. Holding his hand as he hugged Jack the dog to sleep. After coming back out, she found Eddie cleaning up the mess Buck made of her dining table when he decided he wanted to colour a quarter of each colouring page instead of all of one.
“I know we kinda ambushed your day so if you had anything planned, feel free to do it, I can look after Buck and clean up” Eddie said, Maddie let out a sigh of relief.
“I really do hate to leave him but I need to have a shower and go grocery shopping, you seriously don’t mind holding down the fort?”
“Course not. Once I clean up, i'll probably just sit in the room with Buck until he wakes up” Eddie smiled.
“You're a superstar, thank you so much! There's plenty of books in the spare room if you want to do something whilst staying with him. Don't feel like you have to clean everything either, I mean don't get me wrong I won't get mad at you, but you don't have to!” She said, smiling at him gratefully, after he told her he likes cleaning she went off for her shower and he washed the dishes, listening to the soft radio playing in Buck’s room since he couldn't sleep in silence.
It was only a few things to wash up so he tidied the kitchen counter and the coffee table in the living room before going to sit with Buck. Holing himself up on the bed, he picked a random book and read it, finding peace in Buck’s soft snores next to him and the radio playing calming instrumental music. Almost peaceful enough to go to sleep himself but he stayed awake so Buck didn't wake up on his own, whenever that may be.
-
Buck woke up slowly, blinking away the sleep in his eyes as he opened his eyes and tried to figure out who was sat next to him.
“Eds?” Buck asked, making Eddie jump slightly.
“I didn't realise you woke up” He chuckled, “How are you feeling?”
“Groggy, like a dog that’s just crashed from zoomies but he's been running around in the mud and rain”
“That's very specific” Eddie said, realising Buck wasn't little anymore. “Maddie’s gone shopping, should be back soon”
“We're at Maddies? Why? I didn't know she had the day off” He questions, lifting his head up and taking in his surroundings, recognising Maddie’s spare room and Eddie being stretched out next to where he curled up.
“You uh wanted to come round this morning, cap gave us the day off and Maddie has the day off too”
“I'm still tired, I don't know why. Did we drink yesterday? I can't remember much” Buck asked, sleepily shuffling over and resting his head on Eddie’s lap. He hesitated before putting his book down and running his hand gently through his hair.
“We had a bad call yesterday, a few loses, Maddie had to come get you from the station early. She stayed with you through the day and then she got called in so I stayed the night. You regressed.” Eddie says slowly, Buck shoots up with a horrified look on your face.
“No. No. This cant have happened” He whispered to himself, shaking his head vigorously. Eddie rests a hand on Buck’s shoulder.
“Buck, please. It's okay. I'm never gonna judge you, you know that, right?”
“I know that. It's just fucking embarrassing” Buck bites out.
“You don't have to be embarrassed with me. Remember what you said? You don't have to pretend with me. Last night – we watched a movie, had sandwiches and then slept. This morning, we had cereal and then came straight here. You and Maddie did some colouring for a bit, we had lunch. You slept again, Maddie went out. She’ll be back any minute.” Eddie explained, Buck looked at him with an indiscernible expression. “I can go home after she comes back, I just don't really want to leave you alone right now”
“Please don't go home” Buck whispers, Eddie nods. “Just, I haven't done this in front of anyone that’s not Maddie before and if I didn't they sure as shit wouldn't look after me”
“I've got your back, always.”
“I know. Thank you but are you sure you still…you know, want me to be around your kid? In your life? I'm fucked up and I hoped you'd never see it”
“You're not fucked up, Buck. Whoever hurt you is fucked up and I’m not gonna be one of those people, okay? I'm not leaving you now, this is your way of coping and if it helps you, gives you a break or whatever, then i'll happily take care of you” Eddie says assuredly, Buck lays back down, closer to Eddie who just pulls him even closer. Buck wraps an arm around Eddie's torso like it’s the most natural thing he's ever done and Eddie hugs him to his side, breathing out a sigh.
“Did I call you anything?” He asks after a few moments of silence.
“No, Maddie called me”
“No, Eds. Did I call you… something other than your name while I was little?” He says, face going red at Eddie's confusion.
“Ohhh. Yeah, only once before you fell asleep. I don't mind, like I said whatever you need and if that's calling me Daddy then so be it”
“But it's weird”
“Not to me”