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In the end it comes down to the probie.
Hen really shouldn’t be all that surprised, that kid had a penchant for causing chaos without really meaning to. Honestly, first with the [redacted] q-word shift, then several incidents involving muffins and chilli powder which led to him being banned from the kitchen for an indeterminate amount of time by Bobby followed by him calling Ana Eddie’s wife and ending with him and Clipboard-Buck unleashing chaos in the form of limited chargers.
So of course, he got the privilege of snapping Buck and Eddie out of their “best-friends-buddy-pal-of-mine-no-homo-but-would-not-protest-if-there-was-homo” phase.
Why can’t she ever cause chaos around here for once? It’s not fair.
They’re all taking advantage of the q[redacted] shift. She and Chim are playing pinball, Bobby’s making his famous baked macaroni courtesy of Buck’s pleas and Eddie and Buck are chilling by the sofa, Buck leaning on Eddie’ shoulder, the pair of them smiling at pictures of Christopher at camp the counselors had been sweet enough to send them.
Ravi however is ignoring his video game in favor of watching Buck and Eddie.
“So how long have you guys been dating?”
When Buck and Eddie had finally pulled their heads out of their asses, which only took your standard grenade defusing bonding session, no big deal, it had soon become quite clear that they were dancing the tango on the oh-so-thin line of friendship and relationship.
But Buck was still hurting from Abby’s sudden departure while dealing with Maddie’s impromptu visit and Eddie had his own problems to take care of so Bobby, Hen and Chimney had graciously withdrawn themselves from meddling, however much they wanted to.
And also because Athena threatened to unleash her wrath on them if they did. Which also put off the betting pool.
But apparently probie had missed the memo on not asking about Buck and Eddie’s not-relationship and here they were, watching as Buck and Eddie stuttered over their words in an attempt to convince Ravi and themselves that they were not dating because Probie we’re best friends, we’re not-why would you-I mean what made you think that?
The poor kid’s still confused and honestly Hen can’t blame him, he’s been here all of 3 months and so far his experience with the not-relationship had consisted of several occasions where Buck ended up sleeping over at Eddie’s after a long shift. Not to mention the lingering touches and Chris referring to Buck as “his” Bucky and Eddie referring to Buck and Chris as “his” boys. Seems like it runs in the Diaz family to give Buck parental induced heart attacks at the most inopportune times. Then there’s the discussion of sending Chris to camp and the Friday nights with the Diaz Boys that Buck speaks of fondly.
She could go on. For days.
All in all, she couldn’t really blame the kid for assuming.
“So… you guys are not dating?”
“No!” came identical forceful replies.
“Wh-what made you even think that?” Eddie asks and ain’t that the stupidest question ever?
And where would Hen even begin? The co-parenting? The longing looks? The bickering that just radiated married-couple vibes? She should know, she was an expert. Oh wait no, how about the fact that Buck was literally Christopher’s legal guardian?
“Well, you guys spend all your time together? And Buck’s always taking Chris everywhere? And you guys were discussing sending him to camp like my parents do with my little sisters? I figured the bickering was some weird form of flirting and I thought the movie nights were code-word for date night because we were still at work and we had to be … so yeah…”
She’s gotta hand it to Ravi, the kid truly gave no fucks. Here he was laying it all out for Buck and Eddie to examine, all while looking like he was talking about the weather.
Hen would've lost it had it not been for Buck and Eddie looking like they were one word away from going into shock.
Chim clearly doesn’t share her sentiment, seeing as he’s doing his best to stifle his laughter while simultaneously trying not to keel over. Bobby has stopped cooking, opting instead to watch the entire scene pan out, his face impassive though she can see the humor glimmering in his eyes.
Hours seem to pass before Eddie finally speaks, voice strangled and restrained, “Guys, can I speak to Buck in private?”
The spell of silence is broken and Hen snaps into action, pushing Chimney towards the stairs and pulling Ravi up on the way, making sure Bobby’s following them. Eddie and Buck stay where they are, pictures of Christopher long forgotten as they process the information and Hen silently prays that they get their act together.
The last thing she hears as she heads downstairs is Buck’s quiet voice asking, “Did we accidentally enter a relationship?” before promptly being cut off by an oomph and she grins to herself.
Ravi, is understandably bewildered by the previous events, “I’m sorry was I out of line?”
Chimney, who has finally pulled himself together, loses it all over again, until Bobby shoots him a quelling look that has him sobering up in seconds flat.
Hen smiles, “You weren’t out of line kid, it’s a conversation that was long overdue and honestly, I’m glad it was you and not Chim. Someone needed to get them to come to their senses and locking them in the supply closet was not the way .”
Chimney actually has the gall to look affronted, “I’ll have you know it’s a perfectly respectable way of getting together.”
“Sure, maybe in middle school it is…”
Bobby cuts in before Chim can argue, “Alright guys, let’s all relax. Buck and Eddie have a lot to talk about and no one's going up to the loft unless it’s absolutely necessary . Am I clear?”
Hen snorts, “ ‘Lot to talk about’ you say, 20 bucks say they’re making out like teenagers right now.”
Chim grins, “I’ll take you up on that. Anyway,” he pulls out his phone, “I gotta tell Maddie all about this. See y’all in a while.”
Bobby walks off muttering something about paperwork and Hen turns to Ravi, “Knowing the two of them, they won’t be done anytime soon, come on, you can help me restock the ambulance.”
**************
Sure enough, when they get back, Buck’s normally neat hair is suspiciously messy and Eddie’s shirt is a little too rucked up. Not to mention, the two of them are as red as tomatoes and looking guilty as hell.
Hen can’t do anything but smirk as Chimney grudgingly slides a 20 dollar bill across the counter, much to the boys’ bemusement.
**************
Maddie storms in an hour later, full-naming Buck and Hen has no qualms about laughing her ass off this time when Buck uses Eddie as a shield in a sad attempt to protect himself from Maddie.
But then Maddie’s crying and hugging a rather alarmed Buck and then it’s Eddie’s turn to sober up when the younger man reminds him that they’ll have to inform Pepa and Abuela of these new developments.
Hen smiles and she calls Ravi over to help lay the table. When the day comes, she’s gonna throw him the biggest birthday party ever.