Chapter Text
Buck woke up with a very cold nose to his cheek. Jerking his head away, he squinted in the dimness of the room and gave a soft grunt. Eddie moved against his side, a soft sigh escaping his lips. Buck turned his head and found Chris waiting and Wolf panting.
“What’s wrong buddy?”
“I let, wo-wolf out to potty. We are kind-da hungry though.” Chris said quietly. Buck nodded and placed a finger on his lips. Chris nodded and slowly made his way out with Wolf following. Buck sighed before running his hand through Eddie’s hair. Eddie all but purred and snuggled deeper into the bed. Buck smiled and gently extracted himself from his boyfriend’s grasp and threw on a shirt.
Yawning, he padded into the kitchen. Wolf and Chris waited for him, both smiling.
“Pancakes?”
“Pancakes!” Chris affirmed, Wolf giving a little awoo. Buck chuckled and got to work. The typical sounds of breakfast making began making a crescendo and Buck turned on some music.
“Wolf, bowl.” Buck said, causing the big dog to skitter away and grab his stainless steel food bowl, before trotting over and placing it in Buck’s outstretched hand. Buck went to the fridge, opening it up and grabbing a container. Opening it up, he grabbed two of the premade patties and placed them in the bowl. He then grabbed a container of goat's milk. He measured out a ¼ cup of it before also dumping it on top of the food.
“Ok I got all of his medicines!” Chris exclaimed. Buck chuckled, washing his hands and then placed the bowl in Chris’ reach. Chris carefully placed the fish oil, hip and joint supplements, and multivitamins in. He carefully got down, taking the bowl with him and placed it on the ground.
“Wait.” Chris told Wolf, making Wolf give his Tiny Human the big puppy dog eyes. Chris made him wait before he smiled.
“Ok!” Wolf dove into the food bowl, causing Chris to laugh.
“It’s good to hear you laugh mijo.” Came Eddie’s tired voice.
“ Daddy!” Chris cried out, wobbling over to hug Eddie. Eddie hugged him back and gently lifted him so he was sitting on the kitchen island. Buck silently watched, filling plates with bacon, eggs and pancakes.
“I love you Chris.” Eddie’s voice wobbled, but he hugged his son. Chris nodded, his curls tickling Eddie’s nose. The father and son duo breathed each other in before Eddie stepped back and lifted Chris’ chin with a single finger.
“Let’s talk about last night ok?” Chris sighed but nodded.
“I am sorry.” Eddie said simply, watching as Chris’ head whipped up. Buck smiled softly before, getting juice and coffee made.
“Why are you sorry Daddy?”
“Because you were hurting and you couldn’t come to me for help. Chris, I want you to know that I am always going to be in your corner. When you hurt, I hurt. When you’re happy, I am happy. We are a team mijo, and I love you so much.” Chris began crying at his father’s words and threw himself into Eddie’s embrace. Eddie hugged him tight, closing his eyes and fighting the tears that threatened to fall.
“What you did baby, it scared me. I know you trust Wolf and Buck to always back you up. Yet, you can’t just run off like that. I know it feels like you can't say anything with your grandparents here, but I can promise you this. If you need to escape them, you can walk away.”
“It’s not that daddy.”
“Then what is it buddy?” Buck asked, placing a gentle hand on Chris’ back. Chris sobbed harder, causing Wolf to sit up in his meerkat pose and whine.
“They make daddy sad. They want to take me away. I don’t want to go away!” Eddie looked up at Buck, tears coming from his hazel eyes. Buck pulled both boys into a monster hug.
“Buddy, you dad would never let them. If they tried, you daddy would fight tooth and nail to get you back. The whole firehouse would fight for you. I would die for you.” Buck said passionately, Wolf barking as if he was backing Buck’s statement. Chris sobbed, burying his head into his dad’s chest.
“We love you Chris. Please never forget that.” Eddie whispered. Chris cried, both in joy and to expel his fear. Moments passed before his sobs turned to sniffles, then he was leaning back, wiping his face on his dad’s shirt.
“Gros! Chris!” Eddie whined, causing Chris to giggle.
“Ok you two, let’s eat ok?” Buck said, smiling as both the Diaz boys flashed smiles at him. He turned to bring the food to the table, only for Eddie to reach out and spin him toward him. Buck crashed into Eddie, and Eddie kissed him sweetly. Buck melted into the kiss and when he pulled away he blushed.
“Wha?”
“Thank you for being you. For having my back. For loving us.” Eddie whispered. Buck chuckled.
“Always and forever Eds. Now hurry up. Food and coffee getting cold.”
Soon, the trio were eating, Wolf chewing on a Kong toy. Laughter echoed around the table, a joke making Buck have a stream of coffee come from his nose. Causing Eddie to almost choke, before a knock on the door caused everyone to freeze. Wolf stood and went to sniff at the door, before his ears flew back and a thunderous snarl came from his chest. Immediately, Buck stood and went to answer the door.
“Easy Wolf.” Buck murmured, before opening the door a fraction. Helena and Ramon stood at the step, the former twisting her hands nervously and Ramon standing. Behind them stood Tia Pepa and Abuela.
“Abuela, Tía…. Mister and Misses Diaz.” The former two getting a warm welcome compared to the icy dip Buck gave the latter.
“Buck, it is so good to see you mijo. Can we come inside?” Abuela asked, walking past her daughter in law and son to give Buck a kiss on the cheek. Buck accepted it gratefully, before his blue eyes nailed Ramon and Helena to their spot.
“Of course Abuela. You too Tia. The boys should be cleaning up the breakfast mess.” Abuela smiled, sneaking past Buck, Tia on her heels. Buck then stepped outside, Wolf coming with him. He shut the door and leaned against it, Wolf lounging at his feet like Cereberus himself.
“If you walk into that house, you will apologize.” Buck rumbled, voice soft yet deadly. Ramon puffed up, defensive immediately.
“You will not speak to us that way.”
“I will speak to you however I damn well wish.” Buck growled, moving from his leaning position with practiced grace.
“I have stood by at Eddie’s request, while you and your wife have belittled and made your son feel lower than dirt. Well no more. That ends right now.” Wolf growled, eyes glinting.
“ We don’t mean to hurt Edmundo.” Helena whispered. Buck snorted.
“What did you think your words were doing to him? Hmm? Causing butterflies to erupt in his chest at the oh so good feeling you guys give him?” Buck asked sarcastically, taking a moment to gather himself. He realized he could be coming off as an asshole, but he was so tired of the pain these two placed Eddie and Chris in.
“Your grandson is petrified of you. These threats of taking him away from his father have caused him to dread when you are around.” Buck said quietly, causing Ramon to step back, shock coloring his face.
“We don’t mean to scare Chris.” He said, looking at his wife.
“Do either of you care about what Eddie is feeling? Or is it just Chris?” Buck asked bluntly, watching as a shocked expression crossed their faces. Buck continued, ignoring the twinge in his heart.
“Eddie is terrified to disappoint you. You both make him feel like shit. He won’t ever tell either of you, but I sure will. This isn’t how parents are supposed to act. Especially under the guise of wanting to help. You support Eddie. You support Chris. This bullshit of splitting them up to relive this fantasy of a happy family you had needs to stop, or I can guarantee you that they will cut you out of their lives.” Buck kept the silent “I’ll help them,” out of the conversation, but it was implied.
Wolf watched from Buck’s feet. The two unwanted humans made his skin crawl, but watching Big Human’s mate put them in their place was interesting. He could smell the shame rolling off of them. Maybe it was a sign that they could learn, and they won't challenge the Big Human and his mate anymore. Especially when it came to Tiny Human.
“Can we speak to Edmundo please? At least to try and make things right.” Helena whispered. Buck watched them for a moment before he nodded. He opened the door, letting Wolf slip inside to find his boy and Buck lead the shame-faced parents inside.
Eddie stood right away, eyes darting between Buck and his parents. Buck smiled easily, before turning to the kitchen to help Tia Pepa in there. Wolf had bounded off to the back, Chris’ and Abuela’s voice calling to him like a siren song.
Buck found Tia Pepa, scrubbing his pancake skillet, and he came to her side. He smiled at her, before grabbing a towel and began drying the dishes she placed in the dish rack. Silence went between them before Pepa spoke.
“Thank you for loving those boys and protecting them even from their own family.”
“It is nothing Tia. They are so easy to love, all I want to do is make them happy. If that means going ten rounds with a family that will hate me, then so be it.” Buck said gently, a smile cracking his face.
“We don’t hate you Buck.” Helena’s voice made him turn with a raised eyebrow. Ehelan had a sad look on her face, embarrassment tinting her cheeks.
“We respect you. You’re making these two so happy. We...we thank you. For opening our eyes to what we have been doing to Eddie.” Buck tilted his head at her, listening for any deceit. When he didn’t hear any, he spoke.
“I love them. I will protect them from anything, that includes you.”
“I can respect that.” Came Ramon’s voice as he joined his wife. Buck searched their faces, before Eddie slipped past his father and reached for Buck’s hand. Buck took it willingly and he lifted his eyebrows in a silent question. Eddie nodded.
“ Why don’t you join us for lunch in a couple of hours? Eddie has been getting better at grilling. We would love to spend some quality time with you all.” Buck offered the olive branch set. The Diaz all but leapt for it.
“We would love to.”
“Grandpa, grandma. Can you come help me play with Wolf? I can’t throw the ball far enough for him. So I need someone stronger.” Chris' voice echoed from the backyard.
“Coming!’ Helena called, taking Ramon by his hand and leading him to the back. Tia Pepa followed, a knowing smile on her face.
“Well that was...oomph.” Buck wheezed, Eddie crashing into him with a voracious kiss. Buck’s hands came up and pulled Eddie closer, basking in the love Eddie gave him. They both fought for control, before Buck broke the kiss, gasping for breath.
“You wonderful, beautiful man. Thank you. Thank you. I love you.” Eddie babbled. Buck held him close and smiled.
“Anything. For you and Chris. I love you both so much.” Wolf barked and Buck laughed.
“I love Wolf too. Are you ok?”
“I've never been better.”
“Good, because now we gotta go get groceries. You have jack shit in the fridge for a bbq.”
“God dammit Buck.”