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Eddie pulls Chris closer as he teases him for being weird, glad to be able to hold him. Thank god for his kid. He recalls Buck, terrified as soon as Mitchell had threatened Christopher. Did he need this too?
Still lying down, he sends Buck a text. Want to come drop Chris off to school? I’ll pick you up from yours. Buck, of course, responds with a yes. He wakes Chris back up, a little earlier than normal. His kid protests initially but brightens up as soon as Eddie tells him they would see Buck before school. Another sign of how important Buck was in both their lives. Eddie had a few friends to hang out with in El Paso but none came close to Buck. For one, they were always Eddie’s friends, never Christopher’s. They never made an effort, didn’t ask. This also made Eddie stay distant. Buck, on the other hand, had made room for Chris in his life the moment he saw his picture. Assuring Eddie that he would be safe at school during the earthquake, driving Eddie to him later, going to the hospital when Abuela fell, introducing him to Carla. And this was all when they barely knew each other. Everything after that could not even compare. Now, as he stands outside Buck’s apartment, it is Eddie’s turn to show him that he matters to them just as much.
As soon as he sees Buck, Chris opens his arms to allow him to pick the kid up. Buck holds on to him tightly, clutching a fistful of his T-shirt with one hand. He puts Chris down reluctantly when he starts to pull away. “You’re the most amazing kid ever and I am so glad to have you in my life,” he says, crouching next to Chris.
“You’re both weird.” Christopher giggles. Buck spends the car ride giving Christopher facts about organ transplants because obviously he started reading up already. Eddie tunes out, happy to focus on their laughter and the excitement in their voices.
“Thank you,” Buck whispers when they both stand outside the school, waving to Christopher, neither willing to move until he was inside and out of sight. Eddie bumps his shoulder against Buck’s and smiles. He doesn’t have a response that would not sound trite. So instead, he asks Buck if he wants coffee.
It is when both of them sit down on a park bench with their drinks that Eddie brings it up. “You did it again yesterday.” Buck looks at him, confused. “Risked yourself when he was going through my wallet.”
“Eddie, he threatened Chris.”
“I know, Buck. I can’t tell you how much I value everything you have done for him. And I know you would do anything in your power to protect him. But you can’t do it blindly, Buck. You can’t risk yourself because there was a future threat to Christopher. We couldn’t have known if those two would even be alive or free by the time this whole thing ended. But you could have been hurt - or worse - I - you can’t do that to us, Buck. You can’t do that to me.”
Eddie can see tears shining in Buck’s eyes. He hopes Buck understands. He hopes Buck remembers the next time. “Eddie - “ Buck starts but he is too close to crying to speak. So he puts his coffee aside and wraps his arms around Eddie
Eddie hugs him back. “I can’t lose you, Buck, please,” he whispers, not letting go.