Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Eddie is chatting with Hen and Chimney, getting to know them better. He can’t help but let his eyes wander over to the couch every so often. His gaze catches one Evan Buckley, or Buck as he apparently prefers, that the others informed him of. He wouldn’t know otherwise since the guy has only said about two words to him in the past three hours.

“Trust me, you and Buckley will get along great. You two have more in common than you think.” Cap had assured him this morning, patting him on the shoulder when Buck had brushed past him with a subdued greeting.

“Yeah, the kid’s going through a tough time. His girlfriend just up and left him with barely any warning.” Chimney added, snapping his gum. 

Yeah, well, Eddie’s wife left him too and he was shot, you don’t see him moping about it. But no, it’s been Buck this and Buck that all morning, going into the afternoon. He’s about to go over and just ask the guy what his deal is when some kid comes running up the stairs into the loft, backpack slung over one shoulder. He’s wearing a school uniform, so high school at the most, and everyone greets him so he must show up often. A high school kid that is job shadowing or volunteering maybe?

Buck leaps up from the couch, Eddie catching a smile on his face for the first time. He pulls the kid into a quick hug, then ruffles his brown hair. “Hey, how was school, kid?”

The kid pushes him off, trying to fix his hair. “Good until you decided to mess up my hair, weirdo.”

“Please, if anything I was fixing it. You have to be the only fourteen year old boy that doesn’t put any effort into his hair, you nerd.”

If Eddie put money on it, he’d say maybe younger brother? The way they talk is definitely the same way that Eddie always speaks to his sisters.

The kid makes his way to the table where Eddie, Hen, and Chimney are sitting, greeting the other two firefighters with a side hug and high five respectively. “Hi, I’m Jax. Are you the new firefighter that Bobby was talking about?” The kid, Jax, asks, sticking his hand out to shake across the table.

Eddie takes the hand, ignoring the quiet, “Bobby told you ?” coming from Buck. “Hey, Eddie Diaz. Yeah, I just started this morning. I’m sorry, but are you and him brothers or something?” Eddie gestures between Jax and Buck, who has finally come over to the table and is resting his hands on the back of Jax’s shoulders.

“Or something.” Buck answers, the coolness back in his tone.

The others chuckle at that like it’s some inside joke, while Jax rolls his eyes. “He’s my-” The rest of what he says gets cut off as the station bell rings, everyone jumping into action. The others make it down the stairs first, and Eddie is about to follow when he notices Buck isn’t behind him.

Buck drops a quick kiss to the top of Jax’s head. “Be back soon, kid. We had BLTs for lunch and still have the stuff for them in the fridge if you’re hungry. Bobby even made that nasty veggie bacon and put it to the side for you. Wish us luck.”

“Luck!” Jax calls out, already getting his laptop and a pair of headphones out. As Buck turns toward the stairs, his face drops a little when he notices Eddie is still standing there.

“Hey, Probie, emergencies don’t get better by you just standing there.”

Eddie moves to the side to let Buck through before he pushes him down the stairs. “Whatever you say, hotshot.”

Eddie and Jax make eye contact, with Jax mouthing an apology. Eddie shakes his head, waving him off. He’s dealt with a lot worse attitudes than some showoff trying to mark his territory.

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Eddie never does find out who Jax is in relation to Buck. The way to the call involves a long conversation of Buck trying to give him some nickname after Eddie made an offhand comment that probie sounded weird coming from Buck considering Eddie is a few years older than him, and not some bright eyed, bushy tailed early twenty year old just starting out in the world.

After the call to the auto shop, Buck is in a pouty mood again. He has been ever since Eddie corrected him on where to insert the needle to reduce the pressure. He tried to make the guy included too, asking for help with the shirt even after Buck refused to let him help.

Eddie does the smart thing and steers clear of the guy when they get back, going off to get himself more situated with the station until the end of the shift. Who knows, maybe tomorrow the guy will be in a better mood.

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The guy is not in a better mood the next day. If yesterday Buck was indifferent with him, today he is downright jerkish. He tries not to take it by heart considering the confused glances Chimney keeps throwing Buck as they trade insults in the weight room.

Taking a deep breath, he tries asking what his problem is. When that doesn’t work, he tries to say how he feels. Hell, it feels like that couple’s therapy that Shannon made them try that one time. Maybe if he put the same amount of effort into it that he is with Buck right now, they might still be together.

Not wanting to start a shouting match on his second day when he clearly steps on the wrong nerve about the girlfriend/ex-girlfriend comment, Eddie leaves. After getting changed real quick, he only got to use the punching bag for a total of two minutes after all, he heads upstairs in the hopes of staying out of Buck’s way until he cools off.

He prides himself in not missing a step as he’s surprised to find Jax at the table upstairs, on his computer like before. “Hi.” He says dumbly, making himself move to the fridge to grab a bottle of water.

“Hey. Sorry about him, he’s not normally like that, I swear.”

Eddie huffs a laugh, sitting across from him at the table. “That’s what everyone keeps telling me. I’m assuming you heard everything?”

“Pretty sure most of the station heard that, Dad can get a little… loud sometimes.” Jax winces.

Eddie freezes, brow furrowed. Dad? Then Buck is? “He’s your dad?” Eddie asks stupidly.

“Yup. And judging by your face, he never got around to telling you yesterday.” Jax says with a sigh. “Can you do me a favor and maybe don’t mention to him that you know quite yet? He’s a little touchy on who does and doesn’t know.”

“Know what?” Eddie jokes, before getting serious. “Don’t worry about it, it’s not like Buck and I have this grand, open communication between us.” That earns him a grin. “And how about to even the scales I tell you something that the others don’t know about me. Except Cap, but he can recite my resume better than I can. I have a son.”

“Really? How old?”

“Seven.” Eddie pulls out his phone, opening a photo and spinning his phone around. “His name is Christopher. He’s my whole world.”

“He’s so cute.” Jax comments. 

“The cutest if you ask me, but I’m a little biased on the topic.” Eddie let’s Jax flip through a few photos, the two sharing a grin at some of the silly faces that Christopher is making in the photos. “Can I ask you something?”

“Ask away.” Jax looks up from the phone.

“Any advice on how to get on your dad’s good side? It seems like he’s had it out for me since day one, even though everyone I talk to keeps saying he’s such a great guy. I don’t get it.”

Jax sighs, scratching the back of his head. “Like you said, I might be a little biased, but he really is a great guy. He’s taken care of me on his own my whole life and even though I know it had to be tough, he never made me feel like a burden. He told me it was because he didn’t want me to grow up like he did. Make sure he feels included, like he’s not a burden. That’s the best advice I can give.”

Eddie fiddles with the water bottle in his hands, nodding. “Alright, I can work with that. Thanks.”

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“Dad!”

Eddie steps out of the way as Jax tumbles past him and nearly tackles Buck to the ground in a huge hug. “Whoa, hey buddy! Careful. Not that I’m complaining, but what’s all this for?”

“I couldn’t sleep, so I was listening to the radio in Bobby’s office when I heard bomb squad get called to the ambulance, then I heard something about you going in there, then-”

“Hey, hey, shh, it’s alright, I’m here, I’m fine,” Buck rubs Jax’s back, rocking him in his arms and whispering reasurrences to him.

Feeling like he’s intruding, Eddie ducks his head and goes to run upstairs with the others before he’s stopped. Next thing he knows, Jax is hugging him too. “Thank you for being there.”

Not sure what to do, Eddie awkwardly returns the hug. “Your dad watched my back just as much as I watched his. He’s a badass.” Eddie grins at Buck over Jax’s head, who returns the grin.

“C’mon kid, you still have school tomorrow and you should have been in bed hours ago. You should be grateful that Bobby lets you use the bunk room and doesn’t make you sleep on the couch in the main room.”

Jax pulls back, folding himself back into Buck’s arms with a sniff. “Bobby wouldn’t do that, he likes me more than you.”

Buck laughs, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “Oh, really? Even after I tell him you’ve been sneaking into his office?”

“Better than when you used to take the fire engine for joy rides.”

“Ouch, talk about betrayal. Are you trying to make me look bad in front of the new guy?” Buck gestures to Eddie, who’s listening in with interest.

“Nah, you do that plenty well by yourself.” Eddie can’t help but snort at that one. 

Buck squints at the two of them with mock anger. “Great, now that you have completed your daily quota of embarrassing me, to bed with you.”

Jax smiles, looking better than when they first drove up. “Fine. Night Dad, night Eddie.”

Eddie waves a goodnight, settling on the bumper of the truck next to Buck. “You have a good kid there.” He says after Jax is gone.

“Yeah, I decided he was a keeper.” Buck leans back. “Look, I , uh, I wanted to apologise for the way I’ve been acting the past few days. You’re right, we are on the same team and it’s about time I started acting like it.”

Eddie shrugs. “It’s fine, water under the bridge.”

“No, it’s not fine. I was a dick to you for no reason and you’ve only been nice to me.”

“Fine, if it makes you feel better, apology accepted.”

“As a matter of fact, it does make me feel better, so thank you.”

Eddie can’t help it, he snorts again. “Dios, you are so weird. Also, joy rides? ”

Buck elbows him. “What, I couldn’t tell my fourteen year old son that I was almost fired because I was taking the fire engine to go have sex with people I met on the internet because I couldn’t take them home to our single room motel.”

The smile drops from Eddie’s face. “You guys live in a motel?”

Buck gets fidgety at that. “No, uh, not anymore. My girlfriend Abby is letting us stay in her apartment while she’s in Europe, and Bobby and I have a deal so that whenever I’m working, Jax can hang out here. If it were just me, I’d be fine, but Jax goes to this fancy private school...”

“That uniform he was wearing earlier, that’s for that nice school near here right? The one that’s K through twelve?”

Buck goes from staring down at his shoes to looking up at Eddie in confusion. “Yeah, but how do you know that?”

“I was doing research on schools in the area.” Eddie pauses. He guesses this is what Bobby meant by him and Buck having more in common then they thought. “For my son.”

A smile grows on Buck’s face. “No way, you have a kid too? How old?”

“Yeah, Christopher. He’s seven.” For the second time that day, Eddie pulls out his phone and Buck crowds into his space before he has the chance to hold his phone out.

“Man, he’s adorable. I miss that age, enjoy it while you can.”

“He’s a little too adorable sometimes. Got any tips on how to say no?” Eddie jokes.

“Bad cop has never been my forte, but I have some advice I can give you.”

“Thanks.” Eddie grins at Buck, who’s still going through some of the photos. It’s weird, usually Eddie isn’t a fan of someone who is in his personal space, but he’s not getting that itch under his skin like he normally does. Maybe it’s that ‘bond’ that parents share that he’s heard so much about from his abuela.

The moment is broken as Buck groans at one of the photos. “Okay, seriously, there is no way this is not professionally taken.”

Eddie squirms as he turns the screen off on his phone. “I’ll pass the compliment on to my niece. And you don’t have to worry about that, I’m not gonna send these in.”

Buck leans back out of his space, a shocked look on his face. “Dude, no way, you have to! You are like smoking hot in these. Why take them if you’re not gonna send them in?”

Eddie scrunches his nose. “I’m not a fan of all the attention. I only did it because you, Cap, and Chimney were, and I was just trying to fit in. Be like one of the guys. Guess that backfired when I fit in a little too well.”

“Hey, that was on me. And if you didn’t like those photos, I think I know the perfect one for you to send in.” Before Eddie knows what’s going on, Buck grabs his phone out of his hand and opens it, tisking in the process. “Seriously man, no passcode? You’re just asking for your phone to be broken into.”

Eddie blinks in shock. “I don’t have a passcode because I let Chris use my phone to play games. Now give me my phone back.”

Eddie reaches for it, but Buck pulls back, using the extra height to his advantage. “Just a second, jeez, you’re impatient. Okay, here, I think you should use this one.” 

Eddie snatches his phone back, ready to roll his eyes when he freezes. It’s a photo of Eddie and Christopher taken a few weeks ago when they were first moving in. It was near the end of the day, the sunset in the background as Eddie is carrying in the last box and Christopher was clinging to his back like a monkey with a huge grin on his face, Eddie sharing a matching grin with him. “That, uh, that’s a really good one actually. I’ll think about it.”

Buck bumps his shoulder with his own. “Like you said, I have your back.”

“And I have yours. Thanks, Buck.”

“Anytime, G.I. ” Buck grins as he heads for the stairs.

“You’re not calling me that!” Eddie calls back, shaking his head.

“We’ll see about that.” Buck winks before running up the stairs, the smell of Bobby’s food wafting down.

“That we will.” Eddie chuckles to himself, sticking his phone back in his pocket. He better get up there before Buck turns on him again for delaying “family” dinner.

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A few days later, Eddie is playing the pinball machine as Buck is trying to pitch the nickname of G.I. to him again with no luck. He’s a little relieved when Bobby shows up, putting the conversation to rest. He’s proud of Chimney for winning the calendar contest, good for him, and while he doesn’t know Sergeant Grant that well, he’s happy for her and Bobby.

He and Buck settle on the couch to play some video games when Jax walks in at his usual time, fist bumping him as he passes and dodging his dad with a laugh as well.

“Hey, kid, I got your cut!” Hen calls out from the kitchen, holding out half the money she won from Chim and Buck.

Bobby and Sergeant Grant share a laugh, and Eddie chuckles at the shocked look on Buck’s face. “Did you know about this?” Buck asks him.

“How would I? I didn’t even know about the initial bet.”

Buck jumps up from the couch, marching over to Hen and Jax. “Henrietta, I know you are not getting my son into gambling!”

“Dad, chill, it’s just a harmless bet.” Jax rolls his eyes, counting out his money.

“Yeah, Dad, chill.” Hen says sarcastically.

“I better go take care of this before things get ugly.” Bobby jokes, kissing Sergeant Grant one more time.

Sergeant Grant chuckles, shaking her head and coming over to take a seat on the couch next to him. “That boy, I swear. One minute he’s fooling around and the next he’s acting like the model parent. How have you been settling in? Eddie Diaz, right?”

“Yes, ma’am. And you must be Sergeant Grant?” Eddie sticks out his hand, old habits kicking in as he sits up a little straighter.

She shakes his hand, shaking her head in the process as well. “No, none of the ma’am stuff now, you hear me? And it’s just Athena.”

Eddie drops his hand with a nod. “Athena, got it. And despite the rocky start with Buck, pretty well. We had a little of a misunderstanding at first, but he’s grown on me. Turns out, extracting a live grenade from a man’s leg is a great bonding experience.”

Athena snorts. “And here I thought I had won with the story of the time Buck helped me stop a home invasion by shooting the suspect with the firehose.” Eddie wants to believe she’s joking, but she looks serious. He’s going to have to ask Buck about that one later. Athena sighs, turning back to watch Buck snatch the money out of Jax’s hand, running around the counter and dodging his son as he runs around after him. “If there is one thing I’ve learned about that boy in the last year, it’s that you can’t judge him by first impressions. I thought he was this little punk that was only out for himself, but then once I found out about Jax,”

“He only wants what’s best for his son, and sometimes that means putting on the act of the put together know-it-all, or the fool, or the best friend. Whatever version of yourself that your kid needs that day is who you have to be.”

Athena turns to him, raising a brow. “Spoken like a true parent. But Buck never got the chance to find out who he was first before putting on all these different versions of himself.”

“He’s only twenty-nine right? So he was sixteen when Jax was born?”

Athena nods. “From what he’s told me, which isn’t much mind you. I’m glad Bobby paired you two up, Buck needs a friend his own age. Just be warned though, once he is in, he is all in, and I’ve already seen him hurt once.”

Eddie swallows, seeing the same fierce protectiveness of when someone gets between a mother bear and her cub. While not sure, he has a feeling Athena is referencing Buck’s girlfriend’s sudden Europe trip that everyone keeps talking about. He really should ask Hen more about that, she seems to have a pretty good idea of what’s going on in everyone’s lives. “You have nothing to worry about. Buck isn’t the only one that really needs a friend too.”

Athena takes his hand, giving it a squeeze. “Then Bobby’s instinct about you two was correct. Good thing too, he had to call in a lot of favors to get you on his team. He owes the captain of station six about a lifetime amount of cookies.”

A squeal from the kitchen has them look over to find Buck holding Jax in a headlock, the two of them laughing as the rest stand around watching in silent laughter.

Athena rolls her eyes, patting his hand before letting go and rising from the couch. “Lord help me, I swear this entire station is full of children.” She mutters before raising her voice. “Evan Buckley, let go of your son. This is a fire station, not a playground. Jackson, wipe that grin from your face, that goes for you too. And you three,” She turns her stern look on Hen, Bobby, and Chim. “Why didn’t any one of y’all try to stop them?”

Eddie tries not to laugh as the three stutter out excuses, wilting under Athena’s glare. Yeah, he’s pretty glad Bobby was able to steal him from station six as well. He’s pretty sure they aren’t nearly as fun as this group is going to be.

Chapter Text

Buck groans awake as something grabs his foot. Squinting his eyes open against the bright morning light, he finds Eddie’s son Christopher standing at the end of the couch, gripping his foot. 

“Hi there.” Buck greets him, sitting up slowly. His body is still aching from climbing through the rumble of the building yesterday. “Wha’ time is it?”

“Seven. It’s time for my cartoons. I always watch my cartoons here in the morning.” Christopher says, ducking his head. 

“Saturday morning cartoons, huh? Well, we can’t miss those. Wanna know a secret?” Buck whispers with a grin. Christopher nods his head, still hanging back at the arm of the couch. “Saturday morning cartoons are my favorite. Can I watch with you?”

Christopher grins, taking a seat at the couch, trading his crutches for the remote on the coffee table. Buck watches the kid as he laughs at his show. It wasn’t too long ago that Buck was doing this with Jax. Too bad the kid is “too old” to watch cartoons now.

Jax must still be sleeping in Eddie’s extra room. Buck figured he deserved the bed more since Buck is used to sleeping on any horizontal surface. After picking up Christopher and Jax at their schools late last night, Eddie let them crash here.

“Why are you wearing Dad’s clothes?” Christopher asks as a commercial starts.

Buck blinks down at the El Paso Fun Run t-shirt that Eddie let him borrow. “Because I didn’t know I’d be sleeping here and didn’t have my own pj’s like your awesome dinosaur ones.”

“Thanks, they were a gift from my grandma and abuelo.”

“Well, they have very good tastes.” Buck says before the show comes back on and Christopher shushes him.

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Eddie wakes up to the smell of breakfast and voices down the hall. Throwing on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt, he goes to the kitchen where he finds Buck standing at the stove and Chris and Jax sitting at the island, digging into what looks to be french toast.

“Favorite dinosaur, go!” Buck calls out.

“T-rex!” Chris yells, his mouth full.

“No way, it’s totally the triceratops.” Jax answers after he swallows.

Buck makes a buzzer sound. “Nope, you’re both wrong, it’s the pterodactyl.” Eddie grins as both the kids make sounds of disagreement. “Come on, it can fly and was huge! What’s not to like?” Buck turns around, pushing another french toast on top of a pile. “Hey, look who’s finally awake. Hope you don’t mind that I kinda made a mess, but in my defence, these two were hungry and about to riot.”

Eddie pushes off the door frame with a chuckle. “No worries. The only breakfast I know how to make is cereal. Coffee?”

“Already made.”

“You are a Godsend.” Eddie says as he goes straight to the pot, ruffling Chris’ hair as he passes. “Chew, then swallow, mijo. And did you tell Buck thank you?”

Chris does as he’s told, swallowing the last of his breakfast. “Thank you, Buck. This was way better than cereal.”

Buck laughs, getting his own plate set up. “No problem, buddy.”

“Dad, can I use your laptop? I wanna show Jax my Minecraft world.” Chris asks.

“After you wash your hands and brush your teeth. Jax, there should be an extra tooth brush under the sink if you need one.”

“Thanks, Eddie.” 

Jax and Chris rush off, their voices carrying down the hall as they talk more about their Minecraft worlds.

“Minecraft, the great uniter of young kids everywhere.” Buck jokes as he takes Jax’s seat.

“Tell me about it. That’s all Chris and his friends want to do when they are at each other’s houses. What happened to playing board games?” Eddie wonders as he takes a seat next to him.

Buck snorts on his french toast. “People haven’t played board games since the fifties, old man.”

“Why is it that your fourteen year old son has better table manners than you?” Buck sticks his tongue out, earning him a smack on the shoulder. “Seriously though, you didn’t have to do this. Chris is happy with cereal or pop-tarts.”

Buck waves him off. “Nah, I don’t mind. Bobby’s been teaching me to cook and this is good practice."

“Well, feel free to practice here any time, because these are amazing.” Eddie takes another stab, digging in. Glancing over, he sees Buck duck his head with a shrug, similar to how he acted after Eddie had complimented him after they extracted the grenade from Charlie’s leg.

“You just haven’t tried enough of Bobby’s cooking yet, his are way better.” Buck brushes off the compliment once again. Eddie is about to call him out on it when a phone starts to ring. Knowing he left his phone in his room, he looks around to see a phone plugged in at the counter.

Buck jumps up, running over to the phone. “Sorry, I forgot to charge it last night and it was dead this morning. Might be Abby.” 

Eddie rolls his eyes while Buck’s back is turned. Right, he’s sure it’s the imaginary girlfriend. According to Hen, Abby hasn’t talked to Buck in weeks. 

Buck reads the name, a small smile on his face. “Or even better. Hey, Kelsey,” He pauses, listening to the other end as he leans back against the counter. “Yeah, we’re fine. A friend let us stay the night.” Buck smiles at Eddie, mouthing Jax’s mom to him. “I know, sorry, the phone lines were jammed most of the day and I was stuck working. Jax was safe at school the whole time though, and by the time I got off it was late and I forgot to plug in my phone last night. Jax must’ve forgot too. Hey, what about you, did it reach you?” A pause. “Good, that’s good. Let me go get Jax, he’s playing Minecraft with Eddie’s son.” Right back he mouths again as he passes Eddie with a chuckle. “That’s what I said, only I called it a great uniter.” Buck’s voice fades as he heads down the hall.

Eddie continues to eat his breakfast, a little shocked at how casual Buck sounded with Jax’s mom. Him and Shannon never sounded that put together, even before they split. Jax did say something about how Buck raised him the whole time, so maybe it has something to do with that? Eddie and Shannon were basically forced to stay together after they found out Shannon was pregnant. Maybe if his parents hadn’t forced the issue, things would have turned out different.

“Sorry about that.” Buck breezes back in, most definitely not startling Eddie out of his thoughts. “Kels was worried because she couldn’t get through to Jax or I all day yesterday.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Eddie waves him off this time, picking up his and Buck’s dirty plates to take to the sink. Buck tries to help, but Eddie brushes him off. Abuela would have a fit if she caught him having a guest help with the dishes. 

With an eye roll, Buck instead switches to putting everything else away. Before Eddie can tell him to stop, Buck holds up a finger. “I won’t help with the dishes, but I will at least put back everything else I pulled out.”

Eddie sighs, giving in. “You know, if firefighting doesn’t work out, you have a great future at negotiation.”

“Ha ha.” Buck laughs sarcastically, bumping his shoulder as he passes. “And that’s more Kelsey’s area. She’s a paralegal, and currently studying to be a lawyer at Stanford. And before you make the joke, just know that Chimney already beat you to it. Yes, she is where Jax got all his brains from.” 

“I could have told you that, I’ve seen you try to help him with his math homework before.” Buck pushes past him, running his hand under the water without a word. “Okay, fine, I give. What are you doing?”

“Just applying cool water to that burn you just gave me.” Buck says with a grin. Eddie snorts, and seriously, what is with Evan Buckley and making him snort? Just then he gets a grin of his own. Buck freezes. “Eddie, don’t you dare.”

“Do what?” He asks innocently, eyeing the half of the sink full of soap.

Like a shot, they both move, scooping a hand full of soap and throwing it at each other. Eddie made an error though and ended up flinging mostly water at Buck, soaking the front of his shirt.

They both freeze, blinking at the wet shirt. “Buck, just wait, it was an accident. Let’s talk about it.” Eddie holds his hands up, backing up slowly. 

“Oh, it’s on now, Diaz.” Buck stalks toward him.

Eddie isn’t sure if it’s bad on him or Buck that Jax doesn’t even seem fazed as he walks into the kitchen a few minutes later to find them mid water fight.

“Hey, Dad, if you two are done with whatever this is, Mom wants to talk to you.”

Buck dries off his hands, fight forgotten. “Right, thanks. Draw?” He asks Eddie.

“Draw.” Eddie agrees as he starts toweling off the counters. 

“Hey, Kels, twice in one call, I’m honored.” Buck says as he takes the phone from Jax, heading off to the living room to get some privacy. Eddie’s pretty sure it must be more serious if Buck let him listen the first time, but not this time.

“Hey, Jax?” Eddie gets his attention before he leaves. “Make sure Chris doesn’t come in here before I get this mopped up? In fact, you shouldn’t either.”

“Got it.”

“And for the record, he started it!” He calls out at the last minute.

“Whatever you say!” He answers back. Great, if this is what having a teenager is like, he is not looking forward to Chris becoming one.

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The phone call goes on longer than Eddie was expecting. He gets the entire kitchen cleaned up and all the dishes washed before Buck returns with a frown on his face.

“Everything okay?” Eddie asks as he dries his hands, hanging the towel up.

Buck startles a little, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, of course. You could have waited, I told you I’d help clean up.” He slumps back in the chair he was in earlier, letting his phone drop back on the island.

Eddie takes in the way Buck deflected the question, leaning forward on his elbows across from Buck. “Hey, having your back includes life outside work too. What’s wrong?”

Buck sighs, biting his lip. He gets up, looking down the hall. After that he shuts the kitchen door and takes a seat again. “Kelsey and I are splitting the cost of Jax’s schooling. Well, really it’s seventy-five, twenty-five, but she doesn’t know that. She’s paying her way through school as well, and it wouldn’t be fair on her.”

Eddie nods, letting Buck continue. He remembers looking into that place for Chris. While it is an amazing school, they were really expensive. He doesn’t know Kelsey’s financial situation, but he does know how much it costs to feed, clothe, and house a kid without the added load of paying three quarters of the tuition of that school while also living on a firefighter’s paycheck. 

“Before you pass judgement on her, she doesn’t know. She thinks she’s paying half, and we have it set up for her to just send me the checks every month.” Buck adds. “He really needs this school, man. Jax is wicked smart, and I’m not just saying that as a brag, I mean like tested out of the public high school even though he’s a freshmen smart. He helped me study for the written exams to be a firefighter. He needs this school.”

“Is that why you still live in your invisible girlfriend’s place?” Eddie can’t help but ask.

That gets a chuckle out of Buck. “Is it weird that I still live at Abby’s even though she’s been gone almost longer than we were together in the first place?”

“Yes.” Eddie answers bluntly.

“Yeah, Jax thinks so too. But unless we want to go back to living in motels, it’s the only thing I can afford. It doesn’t help that Kels just called to say she can’t send me any money this month, but will pay me back double next month. This has happened before, I’ll figure it out. Like I said, everything is fine.” Buck gives him a strained smile.

“Buck-” Eddie starts but is interrupted by Jax and Chris barging in, talking over one another.

Buck flashes a look over at Eddie that screams for him to drop it now that the boys are here. “Whoa, one at a time. I can barely process one person talking, let alone two. Start over.” Buck plasters on a grin, sitting up a little straighter.

“Dad, Jax has never seen Finding Nemo!” Chris exclaims first.

Eddie fakes a gasp, pushing himself up and off the counter. “Really. Jax, I’m disappointed. And Buck, how could you let this happen?”

Buck and Jax roll their eyes so in sync that Eddie is sure they have no idea the other was too. “What can I say,” Buck shrugs. “I’m somehow raising a nerd that prefers books over movies. I don’t know how it happened either.”

This starts up renewed raised voices between Jax and Chris as they debate the finer points of books versus movies. The rest of the day is spent in a similar way, Buck using the boys as a shield so Eddie can’t bring up their earlier conversation. He isn’t sure what he could do, to be honest. His money situation is similarly tied up between basic necessities, stuff for Chris, and the doctor bills for Chris he’s been paying off in installments for the past few months since his last surgery. It still bothers him that Buck won’t even give him the option of trying to help though.

00000000000000

Getting the call from Pepa that Abuela fell and broke her hip is the last thing he needed. He’s in such a panic texting back and forth with Pepa on the ride back from their call that he barely notices Buck guiding him into the passenger seat of his jeep once they are back at the station. 

“Buck, seriously, you didn’t have to do this.” Eddie says as he looks up from his phone, Pepa saying that she is on her way to the hospital as well and that she will probably beat him since she works a few blocks away.

“Dude, we are halfway there and this is the first time you’ve looked up from your phone. Yes, I was going to drive you. And this is your… does abuela mean aunt?”

“Grandma.” Jax answers from the backseat before Eddie has a chance to. “Tia is aunt.”

“Right, grandma. She’s your grandma, I can tell by the look on your face that you’re beyond worried. But if it really makes you feel better, Bobby practically ordered me to drive you anyway.”

Eddie rolls his eyes. “Of course he did. Still, thanks again for this.”

Buck knocks a fist against Eddie’s arm. “Not a problem, man. What are friends for?”

Eddie is right and by the time they get there, Pepa is there waiting for him along with Chris. He introduces Buck and Jax quickly, asking what happened and where Chris was. She points out Chris charming some of the nursing staff and Buck quietly tells Jax to head over there. Jax is heading over, giving him a high five. As soon as Jax is gone, Pepa begins to lecture him on leaving Chris alone with Abuela once again. He tries to defend himself again, but he’s basically a broken record at this point. Between working and taking care of Chris, he just doesn’t have the time to sit down and really go over all the paperwork that is involved with childcare and what programs he qualifies for. 

“I can’t believe your gringa ex stuck you with all this.” Pepa complains.

Eddie glances over at Buck, wishing he wasn’t here to witness this. He never did find out how Buck is the one taking care of Jax, but he hopes he doesn’t think the worse of Shannon. It hits him then that that is exactly what he was doing about Jax’s mom when Buck was telling him about her.

“I’m not stuck, Tia.” Eddie tries to defend Shannon, hoping she drops it.

“Do you have to go back to work?” She challenges him. She continues when he hesitates. “Ah. And you’re not stuck. I’ll take him tonight, but you need to get this figured out.”

“Daddy!” Chris calls out, having noticed he’s there.

Eddie heads over, picking Chris up in a hug. He notices Buck hanging back with Pepa, the two of them talking, but he can’t hear what they’re saying. Most likely about him, going by the serious faces they have.

00000000000000

Eddie isn’t sure why he’s surprised with Buck anymore when he finds out that he had called Bobby ahead of time and got the okay for Chris to stay at the station while Pepa finishes up with work.

After they get back from the call, Chris heads up with the others, ready to brag to Jax that he got to go with them while Jax had to stay behind.

“Hey,” Eddie gets Buck’s attention, waiting until the others are upstairs. “Thanks again for all this. Chris is having a great time.”

“Not a problem. I figured Bobby would be okay with it since he lets Jax hang here all the time.” Buck pauses. “And, uh, I get it. The balance of trying to work and take care of a kid. They’re both full time jobs.”

Ah, so that’s probably what Buck and Pepa were talking about. “Speaking of, have you figured out what you’re going to do living situation wise?”

Buck sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “Not quite. I was hoping we could stay at Maddie’s new apartment she just found, but it’s only one bedroom. At Abby’s, Jax and I have been sharing the bed while Maddie’s on the couch, but I don’t think she’ll want to sleep on the couch in her own apartment.”

“No, probably not.”

“It’s fine, I’ll figure-”

“-it out?” Eddie finishes for him.

Buck chuckles. “Am I really that predictable?”

“Only because that’s what I say when Pepa starts interrogating me.”

“Glad to know we’re both playing out of the same single parenting playbook.” Buck jokes.

It hits Edie then that the two of them really do have it different than any of the other parents at the station. Hen has Karen to lean on, and even though Athena and Micheal have recently split up, their kids still have both of them along with Bobby now too. Him and Buck are the only ones that really get having to care for a kid by themselves. Great, now he really needs to think of some way for him to help Buck out here.

000000000000000

“I don’t know if I should strangle you or hug you.” Eddie says as Carla heads out the door, promising to call him after she does some research.

“If I give you a beer do I get a say in which one?” Buck offers, holding out a beer.

Eddie takes the beer, the two of them taking a seat on the couch. “It feels like all you do is help me.” He hangs his head back and closes his eyes.

“It wasn’t much, just gave her a call. It took five minutes.”

“Still,” Eddie opens his eyes again, really taking in the surroundings. So this is the infamous Abby’s apartment. Looking around, he can definitely tell that this is not Buck’s style. Suddenly an idea comes to him. “Move in with me.”

Buck chokes on his beer. After clearing his throat, he looks at Eddie strangely. “I’m sorry, what?”

Eddie sits up, more confident. “You and Jax should move in. I have a spare room that I’m not using, and we don’t have to worry about weird hours because we both work the same job.”

“Eddie, no way. I’m not going to impose-”

“Give me one, solid reason on why this can’t work.”

Buck opens his mouth a few times before sighing. “I don’t know, because you’ve only known me a month, you have your own kid to worry about, it’s, uh, it’s weird.”

Eddie raises a brow. “Weirder than you living in your ex-girlfriend’s apartment? Buck, I trust you to have my back every day at work, and I’ve seen you with Chris, the kid adores you. Listen, it doesn’t need to be permanent, just until you’re back on your feet. You have done so much to help me already, just let me do this. Please.”

Buck picks at the label of his beer, biting his lip. “I’ll have to run it by Jax first. Every decision we’ve made, we’ve made it together. I need to make sure he’s okay with it first.”

Eddie nods. “Yeah, of course. I wouldn’t expect it any other way.”

“ If Jax is okay with moving in, I’ll sleep on the couch so he has the room to himself. You know, he’s never had a room to himself his whole life?”

“Seriously?” Eddie can’t imagine having to share a room as a teenager, especially with his dad. “Whether you guys stay or not, Jax can have that room. No fourteen year old should have to share a room with their dad.”

Buck gives him a tight lipped smile, eyes cast down. “Yup, I agree with you there. Unfortunately, I had him at my parents’ place until we moved out when he was about nine. Everywhere after that was either motels or one bedroom apartments because that was all I could afford.”

“The only reason I can afford the rent at this house is because Abuela is friends with the owner.” Eddie blurts out before he realizes what he’s doing. 

“Yeah?” Buck looks up for the first time.

“After Afghanistan and Shannon leaving, I had to live with my parents. I get needing to get away.”

Eddie studies Buck’s face, seeing true understanding. Guess they really are playing from the same playbook. When Eddie had told Pepa that he had to get away from his parents, she took some time to come around. Abuela was the only other one to be on his side right away.

“Thank you so much for this, Eddie.” Buck finally says. “Seriously, I don’t know what I would have done. I can pay rent or-or-”

Eddie swallows a sip of his beer, shaking his head. “No. No way. The whole point is so you save money.”

“Fine, I’ll… pay for the groceries.”

“How about just your own, there’s no reason to pay for mine.”

Buck rolls his eyes. “I’ll cook all the dinners then.”

“If you really want to cook, then two meals a week.” Eddie counters.

“Five a week.”

“Four.”

“Four,” Buck looks him square in the eye. “And I get control of the grocery list.”

Eddie stares back at him, before groaning. “You’re not gonna give up on this, are you?”

“I’m notoriously stubborn.”

“Well, at least you’re telling me now. It’s best for roommates to know each other’s flaws beforehand.”

“About that, I’m driving us to work everyday.”

“Are you calling me a bad driver, Buckley?”

Buck holds up a hand with a grin. “I’m just saying, I don’t know how they give out driver’s licenses in Texas, but I can only assume all you have to do is show up and they hand them out like candy.”

Eddie shoves him with his shoulder, trying, and failing, to fight back a grin of his own. “You’re really not helping your case on the hug or strangle dilemma I’m still going over in my head.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“Yeah, I guess we will.”

00000000000000000

Buck says goodnight to Maddie and shuts the bedroom door. Jax is already in bed, reading some book. Without warning, Buck flops down next to him, but that doesn’t get a reaction out of him. 

Buck clears his throat, flipping onto his side and props himself up on one elbow. “Hey, kid, put the book down.”

“In a minute, I’m almost done with this chapter. Go on instagram or something until I’m done, and then we can go to bed.”

Buck sighs. He will never get over having a nerd for a kid, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. A few more sighs and huffs later has Jax shutting his book. 

“Fine, I’m done. You sound like the big, bad wolf with all the huffing and puffing you’re doing.”

“I need to ask you something, and you can say no. You know everything we do is a democracy.”

Jax suddenly looks worried. “Oh no, are we moving again? Because I really like this place, and you pinky promised that I can stay in the same high school all four years.”

“Whoa, slow your roll, we aren’t going anywhere. Not anywhere outside of the LA area that is. I know you aren’t a big fan of our current living situation,”

“Really, what gave you that idea? Staying at your ex-girlfriend’s place where her mother died in the dining room is loads of fun.”

Sometimes Buck really wishes Jax hadn’t inherited his sarcasm. With a look, Buck continues. “ Anyway, I was telling Eddie about it, and he offered his spare room to us. In fact, he said that the room is yours no matter what we do. Something about sharing a room with your dad being weird.” Buck says that last part sarcastically.

“If I have the room, then where would you sleep?”

“The couch. Before you say anything, I really don’t care. I’ve slept in a lot worse places than a couch.”

Jax wrinkles his nose. “Ew, gross.”

Buck snorts. “Not like that, teenager brain. Although, now that you mention it…”

“Dad!” Jax hits him on the arm.

“Joking, I’m joking, sort of. Anyway, back on topic, I told him I would ask you.”

Jax takes a moment, thinking it over. “How long would it be?”

“Honestly? I’m not sure. I’m not gonna lie, money’s a little tight right now.”

There’s a pause before “It’s my fault, isn’t it.” Jax says softly.

“What?” Buck sits up slightly, rubbing his hand up and down Jax’s arm. “No no no, why would you think that?”

“I’ve looked it up, I know that school isn’t cheap, and I heard you talking to Eddie the other morning about Mom not being able to pay you again. If I wasn’t going to that stupid school,”

“Jackson, look at me.” Buck waits until Jax looks up at him. “Enough, you need that school so I made it happen. Against popular belief, I am the parent here. I take care of you, not the other way around. Alright?” Jax wordlessly nods. “Okay, now, staying at Eddie’s, what do you say?”

“Eddie is pretty cool.” Jax finally says. “And Chris is fun to play with.”

Buck smiles. “Then it’s decided. I’ll let him know in the morning.”

Jax smiles back. “I love you, Dad.” He snuggles in, burying his face in Buck’s chest like he used to as a little kid.

Buck kisses the top of his head, holding him close. “I love you too, kid. And we’ll get this figured out, promise.”

Jax pulls back, holding out a pinky. With a grin, Buck hooks his pinky with Jax’s.

“I promise.” Buck repeats.

Chapter Text

Buck runs up the stairs after Eddie, hoping Bobby hasn’t noticed…

“You boys are late.” Bobby says from the head of the table, breakfast all laid out.

“Finally. Can I eat now?” Chim asks, reaching for the serving spoon.

“Sorry, Cap. We had a bit of a slow start this morning.” Eddie apologizes for them, both of them taking a seat in the two spots left for them.

“Turns out four people sharing one bathroom was not something we considered.” Buck adds.

“Things should smooth out some once I finish getting Chris enrolled at the same school as Jax. Stopping at one school drop off will be much faster than two school drop offs.”

“How are things with the boys?” Hen asks. “They settling in okay with sharing their spaces?”

Buck and Eddie share a glance. “The first week was great,” Eddie says. “Like an extended sleepover.”

Hen blinks. “I feel a but coming on.”

“But,” Buck sighs. “The honeymoon phase is officially over.”

“The morning fights over who gets the bathroom first was giving me flashbacks to the fights I used to have with my sisters. I’m actually considering calling my parents and apologizing.” Eddie says.

The table chuckles at that. “Well, as long as this doesn’t become a habit, I think I can let it slide for now.”

Buck sends Bobby a grateful smile. “Thanks Bobby. And we promise, we’ll figure something out.”

000000000000000 

“So, your first name is Edmundo?” Buck says over Eddie’s shoulder, causing him to jump and drop his pen.

“Yes,” Eddie glares. “And don’t you dare call me that, Evan .”

Buck takes a seat at the dining table, avoiding all the papers strewn about. “Nickname only, noted. This sure looks like a load of fun.” He picks up one of the papers, reading it over. “Geez, they wanna know your blood type while they’re at it?”

Eddie grabs the paper back, putting it where he had it before sticky fingers came over. “This damn school is thorough. Shouldn’t you know this already? Jax goes there.”

Buck shrugs. “Jax did all the paperwork. He just showed me where to sign. Seeing all this though is making me start to wonder if I unknowingly signed my soul away.” Buck grabs a different paper, making Eddie roll his eyes. “Wait, they know my social? I don’t even know my social security number.”

Eddie gaps at him. “How did you make it to adulthood, let alone raise a fully functioning teenager?” He finally asks.

Jax pokes his head from the kitchen. “Internet.” He answers Eddie. “Hey, Dad, Chris and I are hungry. When’s dinner?”

Buck rises from his seat with a sigh. “Now, apparently. Good luck with the paperwork.” He pats Eddie on the shoulder as he passes. 

Jax wanders over, peeking at the papers. “You know you can do all these forms online, right?”

“Ha!” Buck laughs from the kitchen.

“Stay out of it!” Eddie calls out. Turning his attention back to Jax, Eddie lowers his voice. “I prefer paper. It’s something real that I can touch rather than some screen.”

“Whatever you say, old man.” Buck reappears. 

“Don’t you have a dinner to cook?” Eddie says instead.

Buck raises his hands in surrender, grinning as he turns back into the kitchen.

“You have no idea how to fill it out online, do you?” Jax asks after Buck is gone, barely holding back his laughter.

Eddie closes his eyes and throws his head back. “No, and if you say anything to him, he’ll never let me live it down.” He’s about to throw in the towel when he hears a chair being pulled out and someone taking a seat. To his surprise, Jax is sorting through the papers, putting them in piles. “What’re you doing?”

“Helping. At the rate you’re going, Christopher will be eighteen before you’re finished.”

“No, you don’t need to do that. I’ll just get Carla to help.”

Jax shrugs. “I don’t mind. Unless you don’t want my help.”

“Of course I don’t mind. I just remember being fourteen myself and helping with this kind of crap wasn’t exactly high on my priority list on a Friday night.”

Jax stops, struggling to look at Eddie. Instead, he seems more interested in picking at a hangnail. “I just- I feel- I wanna help. I know the only reason we’re living with you is because Dad can’t afford anywhere else, and I’m so grateful. Seriously, like, having my own room is amazing. But I know it’s because of me that he’s in this situation in the first place. I can’t do much, but I can do this. Please.”

“Hey,” Eddie grabs his hand to get him to stop picking. “Listen to me when I say it is no problem having you two here. If anything, it means Chris and I aren’t living off takeout and frozen meals.” That earns him a small smile. “And speaking as a dad, I know that Buck doesn’t blame you in the slightest. He wants what’s best for you.”

Jax doesn’t fully relax, but he seems to be getting there. “Thanks. Now,” He claps his hands together, almost giddy. “Let’s get this paperwork done.”

“Buck was right, you really are a nerd.” Eddie jokes, nudging his shoulder.

000000000000000

After dinner and another hour of mind numbing paperwork, Eddie finally calls it for the night. He shoos off Jax with a thanks, then collapses on the couch next to Buck.

“Did you get all your homework done, young man?” Buck jokes.

Eddie stretches with a mock laugh. “I managed to negotiate for some rest, but the chief said to expect me bright and early tomorrow so we can finish up.”

“You think this is bad, imagine how he was with my exam schedule. He scheduled my bathroom breaks.”

Eddie scoffs. “He’s the only reason you were able to pass that exam, wasn’t he?”

Buck nods without hesitation. “Oh, yeah.”

“He’s a good kid.”

Buck nods again, all humor gone. “Yeah, he really is. Listen, I- uh- I heard what you said to him while I was in the kitchen, and thanks for that. I’ve been trying to let him know nothing is his fault, but-”

“But sometimes it helps to hear it from a different source.”

“Exactly. I just want him to be a kid, and not have to worry about all this grown-up junk.”

This is a side to Buck that has been showing up more and more ever since he’s moved in, and it makes Eddie wonder more about his past. Jax did mention something about Buck not having a great time growing up.

Mind made up, Eddie gets up and grabs two game controllers. “Well, speaking of grown-up junk, the kids are in bed, and I’ve had enough of dealing with all those awful people today. Wanna go a round or two?”

Buck smirks. “Only if you’re ready to get your butt kicked.”

00000000000000

It’s late by the time Buck and Eddie finally make it home after what has to be one of the most embarrassing shifts of their lives. Buck is just grateful that Jax hasn’t been coming to his shifts anymore and didn’t eat any of the LSD spiked brownies either.

Carla was extremely understanding about having to stay late with the boys, saying goodnight to Buck and Eddie with a chuckle on her way out.

Buck groans as he gets to work pulling the sofa bed out, headache having started to form a few hours ago as they came down from the high.

Eddie waves him off, grabbing him by the shoulders. “Don’t bother.” He whispers, winces with what Buck assumes is a headache as well. “We both feel like crap, just come crash with me.”

Not having to be told twice, he lets himself be guided to Eddie’s room and falls asleep before his head even hits the pillow.

0000000000000

Buck slowly comes to consciousness by the bright light hitting his face. He must have forgotten to close the blinds last night. Still not wanting to wake up, he turns away from the sun and buries his face into his pillow.

A pillow that is now moving?

Finally forcing his eyes open, he blinks in confusion at the unfamiliar room.

“Wha…”

“Ow, dios mio… My head is killin’ me.” 

Buck feels more than hears. Now that he’s waking up more, he also feels a warm weight on his back. 

Forcing himself to look up, his eyes lock onto a familiar brown pair that are also just opening up.

“Eds? Wha- what happened? Why…” Buck trails off. “Wait, the brownies, the lizard lady-”

“Yeah, we got dosed.” Eddie finishes his thought, voice rough with sleep.

Buck lets his head fall back down on what he now realizes is Eddie’s chest, too out of it to care. “Shit…”

“Yeah,” Eddie repeats, rubbing Buck’s back. So that’s what that warm weight was.

“We should get up. The kids…”

“Yeah,”

Neither of them make a move.

“Although, it is saturday…” Buck continues with a yawn. “Jax can keep an eye on Chris for a few more hours.”

“Yeah…” Eddie yawns as well, little snores starting up.

000000000000

Buck and Eddie jerk awake to a bang and the door slamming open suddenly.

“-to let them sleep!” Jax’s hushed voice is what they hear first.

“But it’s the afternoon, and Daddy always checks on me if I’m sick and sleeping all day.” Chris answers back.

“Sorry,” Jax turns his attention to them. “I tried to keep his attention for as long as I could, but he insisted that-”

“It’s fine.” Eddie waves him off, sitting up first and taking away Buck’s comfy pillow. “We should get up anyway, right Buck.” Eddie pats him on the back.

Buck groans, burying his face in a real pillow this time. A shame too, it’s not as comfy as his Eddie pillow was.

There’s a shuffling noise and then Christopher’s voice is closer. “Is Buck gonna be okay?”

Fighting his headache, Buck sits up and squints at the bright lights. “I’m gonna be fine, kid, just gotta take a minute to wake up is all.”

Chris is in his dad’s lap, grinning at Buck. “Good.” He nods, ducking his head. “Jax said you guys were sick because you ate some brownies, and I was worried.”

“Hey, don’t worry about us.” Buck shifts into Dad mode, rubbing Chris’s arm. “You know how we tell you not to eat too many sweets?” Chris nods. “Well,” Buck leans in like he’s telling a secret. “Your dad and I were bad and ate too many brownies, and it made us sick.”

Chris nods, a cute little look of concentration on his face. “Will a hug make you feel better?”

“Aw, buddy, I would love a hug from you.”

Buck grunts as Chris all but falls into his chest, wrapping his little arms around him. Buck returns the hug, rocking him back and forth and sharing a grin with Eddie.

“Alright, mijo, why don’t you pick out a board game for us while Buck and I get ready for the day.” Eddie says as he helps Chris out of the bed.

As Eddie is doing that, Jax comes around the bed and gives Buck a quick hug. “You sure you’re okay?” He mutters, making sure not to be overheard by Chris.

Buck chuckles, returning the hug. “My dignity is pretty bruised, but other than that never better.”

Jax pulls back, wacking him on the arm. “Good, then I don’t have to feel bad for yelling at you. What were you thinking, eating that crap. I grew up with you telling me to never eat candy from strangers and then you go and pig out on some brownies from some rando and get yourselves roofied!”

Buck pouts, rubbing his arm. “Ow. I also remember teaching you no hitting.”

Eddie laughs next to him, turning Jax’s attention to him. “And don’t think you’re safe from a lecture either. I was supposed to go see a movie with some friends this morning, and instead I had to stay and watch Christopher while you two-” 

The next thing he says is in spanish. Buck really wishes he knew spanish right about now, because whatever his kid said to Eddie has him sitting there with a bright red face. If Buck didn’t know any better, it almost looks like Eddie is blushing.

“No! I mean-” Eddie clears his throat, glancing at Buck. “Sorry, Jax. Thanks for watching Chris for me, I’ll owe you one.” Eddie says, thoroughly chastised.

Jax huffs, rolling his eyes. “Don’t worry about it, I don’t mind watching Chris. Just please, no more eating food from strangers?”

Eddie and Buck share a look. “Trust us,” Eddie speaks for the two of them. “I think we learned our lesson.”

“Good. And, in case you ever forget,” Jax smirks, pulling out his phone. “Chimney sent me some great blackmail material.” He waves his phone in front of them, showing all of the videos that Chim had sent yesterday. “I think Chris and I will get some extra video game time for a while after this.” He says over his shoulder as he leaves the room.

Once he’s out of ear shot, Buck finally lets out a giggle he had felt building this whole time.

Eddie snorts, shaking his head. “Buck, it’s not funny.”

That sets Buck off again. “Dude,” He forces out between laughs. “We just got told off like we were in the principal's office by my fourteen year old son. That was hilarious.”

That seems to set Eddie off, his laughter starting to build now. “Fine, it was a little funny.”

It takes a minute, but their laughter finally starts to die down. “Man, your bed is comfy. It’s like a cloud compared to the sofa bed.”

“You should just sleep here at night.” Eddie blurts out, similar to how he offered for Buck and Jax to move in.

“What?” Buck blinks at him blankly. “But this is your bed. If I use it, where will you sleep?”

“I just mean, you know, it’s a queen and plenty big enough for both of us, and if that sofa couch is uncomfortable it could affect your work.” By the end of his word vomit, Eddie’s face is red again.

“Right,” Buck says dumbly. “My work.” Buck swallows, his mouth suddenly dry. He’s pretty sure he read that that was a symptom of the LSD. “Sure, uh, if- if you’re offering, then yeah, I’ll take this over the sofa. Thanks.”

“No worries.”

There’s a pause, then twin yellings of “Dad!” from the other side of the house.

“Coming!” Eddie yells back. “We should probably-”

“Yeah.” 

000000000000000

If Buck thought the cuddling was a one off from the LSD, he was soon proven wrong. For the past week, every morning Buck wakes up to a tangle of limbs with Eddie. Either he has his head on Eddie’s chest or vice versa, but no matter the case they are both always clinging to each other. Buck’s been trying to fall asleep on the far side of the bed, but he keeps waking up in Eddie’s arms every morning without fail.

It doesn’t seem like too much of a problem though. Buck will be the first to admit this is probably some of the best sleep he’s had in a long time, and even Eddie seems more awake and alert. He’s sure if it bothered Eddie, he would have said something by now, so it’s as Bobby always says, if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.

And speaking of the devil, “Hey, how’d the meeting at the school go?” Buck asks as he folds some laundry on Eddie’s, or he guesses, their bed now.

“Good.” Eddie nods with a shrug, sticking his hands in his pockets. “Chris fit in well, and he got super excited when he ran into Jax in the hallway. I’ll feel good knowing he’ll have someone watching out for him there.”

Buck sighs, setting the laundry aside for now. “What’s wrong?”

Eddie glances up. “What? Nothing’s wrong. You know you don’t have to do mine and Chris’s laundry too.”

“I was already in a flow, but don’t change the subject. I can tell something’s bothering you, so tell me. If it’s something wrong with the school-”

“No, the school’s great, it’s just… When you were enrolling Jax, did they want to do a parent interview with Jax’s mom as well as you?”

Buck furrows his brow. “No? They only do that- wait, are you and Chris’s mom still married?”

Eddie winces. “We’ve been separated for about a year now, but not officially, so I guess…kinda?”

“But you have custody, right?” Eddie doesn’t answer, which is all the answer Buck needs. “Shit, Eddie, you need to call her and get this straightened out, or they won’t let Chris into that school.”

Eddie shushes him, shutting the door. “You think I don’t know that? But things with Shannon… They’re complicated, okay?”

“Then uncomplicate them! Without any type of official agreement, she could come in at any time and take him away.”

“She won’t do that.” Eddie begins to raise his voice.

“And how do you know that?”

“Because she’s already left us once!” Buck doesn’t mean to flinch, but something must show on his face because Eddie softens immediately. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell.”

“No, it’s fine-”

“No, it’s not.” Eddie slumps down on the foot of the bed, all of the fight draining out of him. Buck takes a seat next to him, not sure if he should reach out or not. “I’ll call her today.” Eddie lets out a sigh, running a hand through his hair. “Man, how the hell have you managed co-parenting this well for this long? Even when Shannon and I were together we never sounded as friendly as you and Jax’s mom sound on the phone.”

Buck takes a breath, not expecting to have this conversation today. “Well, for one, Kels and I, we, uh, we were never together together. Don’t get me wrong, it was never a one-and-done kinda thing with her. Actually, she’s one of my best friends, still one of my best friends. We grew up together.”

“Then how?” Buck gives him a look, which earns him a shove. “I don’t mean the mechanics. I have a kid too, I’m pretty familiar with the how. I just- I guess what I’m asking is…”

Buck chuckles, taking pity on him. “Her uncle, who had been raising her since she was young, was out of town on a business trip and two stupid teenagers left alone broke into his alcohol cabinet. We were extremely drunk, sixteen, and… curious, you could say. Nine months later, and Jackson Buckley is gracing us with his presence.”

Eddie smiles at the story, looking down at his hands. “Our parents forced us to get married shortly after finding out Shannon was pregnant with Christopher. We had been dating since the eighth grade, and sure, with enough time we probably would have gotten married in our own time, but the pressure. Man, I’ll be the first to admit that my parents were not easy on her, and I could’ve, should have , done more to help, but I was scared. People say she ran, but I’ll be honest, I ran first.” Eddie subtly wipes a tear and Buck pretends not to notice. “Everyone praises me because I fought in some stupid war, but the truth is I reenlisted even after Chris was born because I was too scared to stay and try.”

Eddie is fully breaking down now, burying his face in his hands. Done pretending, Buck wraps an arm around his shoulders and pulls him close. “Hey, hey, it’s okay, Eds. It’s okay to admit you were scared. Hell, I’m still scared I’m gonna screw something up and Jax is basically a fully functional person now. When he was first born I was a freakin’ mess, dude. Everyone has made mistakes in the past, but you’re here now, and that’s what matters. That’s what Christopher will remember. His freakin’ awesome dad showing up everyday and trying his best for his son.”

Eddie sniffs, nodding his head against Buck’s shoulder. “Thanks. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that.”

“Anytime. Us single parents have to stick together.”

Chapter Text

Eddie did it. He got it out of the way and called Shannon and all it led to was her coming over and the two of them getting into a fight. It didn’t help that Buck’s stuff was all over the place, which devolved the argument into her accusing him of playing house with some random guy she doesn’t know while Eddie won’t even let her see her own son.

“At least that random guy is there for Christopher! That’s more than I can say for his own mother!” Eddie feels the need to defend Buck, who has been nothing but helpful this past month.

“Well, in case you’ve forgotten, I was the one there for him while you were off playing soldier!” Shannon sighs, pacing in place. “Every day, Eddie! I was with Christopher every single day, and it just all got to be too much! The doctor’s appointments, and your parents, and- and- me having to face what I did to him! I relive that pregnancy every day, questioning what it is that I did wrong that caused-” She cuts herself off, choking back a sob. 

Eddie feels his anger drain away. “Shannon, it wasn’t your fault. I don’t blame you, I hope you know that.” He pulls her close on instinct, their fight completely forgotten now.

After a minute, Shannon calms down and pulls away. Wiping the stray tears from her eyes, she puts herself back together. “So this school, it’s a good one?”

“It’s a dream. The classes are smaller, so Chris can get better help than the public ones, and, uh,” Eddie hesitates. “Buck’s son goes there. Our kids are close and having someone there to keep an eye on Chris-”

“Right. Buck.” Shannon interrupts, glancing around again. “Are you dating this Buck, or-”

Eddie feels his face heat up. “No, nothing like that.” He rushes out. “He’s just a friend, and we work together. He’s a single parent too, so… yeah.” Eddie winces. He probably shouldn’t have pointed out the single parent part, since that seems to only emphasize Shannon’s absence.

She nods, pursing her lips. “Yeah, of course. Anyway,” She puts her purse back on, gripping the strap. “I’ll, uh, I’ll call that school and set up an interview. Just one more thing, though. I know you don’t want me seeing Christopher yet, but do you think I could at least meet this Buck since he spends so much time with Chris?”

Eddie nods. “Yeah, that sounds fair.”

“Okay. Goodbye, Eddie.”

“Bye. I’ll talk to Buck so we can set up a time to meet.”

Closing the door, Eddie locks it with a sigh and lays his head against it, completely drained. Well, that could have been worse, but it also could have been better.

00000000000

Buck shouldn’t be this nervous, but his bouncing leg didn’t seem to get the message. Eddie and him made this meet up about as low stakes as possible. It took a few weeks to get everyone’s schedules to line up, but they finally managed to plan it where the two of them are meeting Shannon at a local badges and ladder tavern that they frequent from time to time with the rest of the team. Bobby and Athena were kind enough to watch the kids for the evening, Harry and Christopher get to play video games while Jax and May do whatever it is teenagers do now.

Eddie reaches over and pins his leg down. “Would you relax? It feels like you’re trying to start a second earthquake.”

“Like you’re any better.” Buck points out, definitely not pouting. “You’ve picked off practically the entire label of your beer.”

Eddie glances down, pushing his beer back. 

“I just want this meeting to go well,” Buck continues. “What if she doesn’t like me? Or- or- or she thinks I shouldn’t be around Christopher? I love that kid and I don’t know-”

“This is just a formality, Buck. She’s made it clear she doesn’t want to disrupt Christopher’s routine, she just wants to get to know you since you spend so much time with Chris.”

“Yeah, to judge me.”

Eddie rolls his eyes, taking a sip of his beer. “Dork.” Just then he gives a little wave, nudging Buck in the shoulder. “Here she comes.”

Buck straights up, leg going off again. Even without seeing a picture of her, he can tell who it is right away. She has the same eyes as Christopher.

He jumps up, reaching his hand out. “Hi, you must be Shannon.”

She shakes his hand, draping her jacket on the chair across from them. “Guilty. Hey, Eddie. And I can only assume you’re Buck?”

Eddie nods in greeting as Buck sits back down. “Evan Buckley, but, uh, everyone- everyone just calls me Buck. So, you can too, I guess…” Buck trails off.

Shannon gives him a tight smile, turning her attention to the server to order a glass of wine.

As she does this, Buck glances at Eddie for help, only to see him failing to hide a smirk of amusement. “Smooth.” He mouths at Buck. Buck subtly hits him under the table.

“-And can I get you guys anything else?”

Buck glances at Eddie and shakes his head. “I think we’re still working on these for now, but can we get a plate of nachos for the table? And can we have the jalapenos on the side?” Eddie orders.

The server writes that down. “Of course. I’ll be right back with your pinot, and the nachos will be out shortly.”

With the distraction gone, the awkwardness that lingered at the table before returns. No one says anything until the server returns with Shannon’s wine. Buck feels marginally better when he sees her fidgeting with the stem of the glass with nerves as well.

“So, Buck,” Buck snaps out of it when Shannon speaks first, looking up from her glass. “Eddie tells me you have a son too?”

Buck relaxes, perking up a little. This he can talk about. “Yeah, Jax. He’s my everything.” Already pulling out his phone, he sets it down with the photo album open. “This one was just taken last week on Chris’s first day at the new school.”

“You should send me that one. In all of mine they just look grumpy.” Eddie speaks at last, leaning over as well, his arm pressing against Buck’s own in the tight space.

Buck chuckles at the memory of the kids yelling at Eddie to hurry up. “Yeah, because you took so long getting your camera set up, old man.”

Shannon smiles at the photos as Buck swipes through some more. “He’s got your smile. How old is he?”

“He just turned fifteen. His birthday is on Halloween, believe it or not.”

She chuckles. “That must have been a memorable birth.”

“Like you wouldn’t believe!” Buck laughs. “His mom and I were in school, right, when-”

Once Buck gets going, he feels the rest of his nerves melt away. Shannon seems to relax too, laughing more openly as the night goes on, and they even start trading stories about Eddie back and forth, much to Eddie’s chagrin.

“So if the guy dropped his phone, then who called nine-one-one?” Shannon asks, taking a bite of nachos. Buck sees why Eddie ordered the jalapenos on the side now, both Shannon and Buck hate the things.

Eddie rolls his eyes, cutting Buck off before he has the chance to speak. “As our Captain, and Jax, and I have all said, it was probably someone who was trespassing as well that didn’t want to be caught.”

“And as Maddie said, the call she got was the exact same one as the call seven years ago! I’m telling you, a ghost called nine-one-one!” Buck defends himself once again. “C’mon, Shannon, you have to back me up here!”

She wipes her mouth, wincing at Eddie. “Sorry, but I think I have to side with Buck on this one. The fact that she recognized the old call from seven years ago, but when they go back to play the recording of her present day one to just hear static is just too weird, even for me.”

Buck slaps the table. “Thank you! Finally, someone that sees sense!”

“You’re both worse than my abuela-” Eddie pauses, staring at the stage where a couple are singing karaoke. “Is that Chimney?”

Looking up, Buck feels his jaw drop. “And my sister?”

“You didn’t mention she was dating someone from your station.” Shannon comments, turning in her seat to watch the end of their song.

“They aren’t.” Buck and Eddie answer together. “Or at least…” Buck starts.

“They never told us.” Eddie finishes as he stands, waving them over. “Hey, Chim! Maddie! Over here!”

Their heads shoot up, confusion on their faces until they spot Buck’s table, where Eddie is waving at them.

They wander over, smiles on their faces. “Hey, fancy meeting you two here!” Chimney greets them first. “And who’s this?”

“This is Shannon, my- uh, Christopher’s mom.”

If Chim notices Eddie’s hesitation he doesn’t point it out, instead introducing himself and Maddie to her and starting some small talk.

“Oh my God, you guys are dating.” Buck blurts out, looking back and forth between Chim and his sister.

Chimney and Maddie snort, shaking their heads. “Us?”

“No.”

“We’re just friends.”

They overlap one another.

“No,” Buck cuts them both off, putting his hands up. “You guys totally are. You guys are dating and this is a date, and-” He stands, suddenly feeling hot. “Is it just me, or do they have the heat blasting in this place? I, uh, I need to go get some air.”

“Evan-” Maddie reaches out, but Buck shrugs her off.

“I’m- I’m good. It was great seeing you guys, and- and meeting you Shannon, but-” Buck cuts himself off, everything too loud, and bright. “Sorry. Bye.”

00000000000

Eddie can see the tension building in Buck the moment Chimney and Maddie start walking over, making him instantly regret calling them over. As they chat with Shannon, Maddie leans against Chim, and that seems to be the breaking point for Buck.

Buck finally jumps up, nearly knocking the whole table down and hightails it out of the tavern, a few tables near them glancing over at the commotion.

The three stare in confusion at Buck’s rash exit while Eddie pulls out his wallet, throwing down some bills at random and hoping that covers his and Buck’s check plus tip. “Sorry, I should-”

Shannon is the first to snap out of it. “No, of course. Call me later?”

“I will.” He turns to nod at Chim. “See you at our next shift.”

“See ya. Take care of our Buckaroo.”

Maddie grabs his arm at the last second. “Thank you, Eddie.”

He makes sure to rest his hand on hers and holds her eye line. “It’s no problem. It’s never a problem with Buck.”

She smiles, letting him go. As he turns away he hears Chimney offer for Shannon to join them, but leaves their earshot before he can hear her reply.

Once out on the sidewalk, it doesn’t take long to find Buck. He only made it a few yards past the door, just out of view from the windows. He’s pacing, running his hands through his hair and breathing heavily.

“Hey, hey. I’m here, Buck. I’m here.” Eddie runs over, reaching out to Buck.

Buck reaches out to his arms, holding them tight like a lifeline. “Sorry, I didn’t- I just- I don’t- I don’t know what came over me, I just needed to get outta there.”

Eddie pulls him the rest of the way to him, wrapping his arms around him. Buck all but falls into him, gripping the back of his shirt. “Hey, there’s nothing to apologize for. I’ve got you, just take deep breaths. That’s it, just like that.” After a few minutes of rocking and breathing, Buck finally seems to be calming down. “You wanna talk about it?”

“I don’t- I mean-” Buck pauses again, gathering his thoughts. “Seeing Maddie with Chim, like, she just got away from Doug, don’t you think it’s too early for her to be dating again?”

Eddie inhales deeply, thinking about how to answer this while still sounding neutral. “I think… Maddie knows best on what she is or isn't ready for. I get where you’re coming from, you’re her brother and you want to protect her. I’m a brother too and if I found out either of my sisters went through the same thing as her, well… I understand. But think about it, there are a lot worse guys out there than Chimney.”

Eddie finally earns a chuckle from Buck as he pulls away slowly. “That’s true. Out of anyone, Chim’s pretty high on the list.”

“Pretty high? Who has the honor of being at the top of this list of yours?”

Buck looks down, shuffling his foot. “Don’t laugh, but, uh, you.”

Eddie raises his brows, not expecting that. “Me?” Eddie blinks, trying to process a world where he is dating Buck’s sister. “Well, I gotta say, I’m honored, but I have no interest in dating your sister.”

“Good.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I mean, good for Chim, because I wasn’t imagining things, right? That was totally a date.”

Eddie nods, wrapping his arm across Buck’s shoulders as they start walking to Buck’s jeep. “Oh, yeah, for sure that was a date. They sang a duet together.”

Buck stops suddenly, Eddie losing his balance as his arm stays looped around Buck. “Shit, we just left Shannon. We should go back, she probably thinks-”

Eddie keeps him in place, rolling his eyes with a grin. “Relax, Buck, I already paid and I told her we’d call later. She understood something was up. I promise, she liked you. She even laughed at some of your jokes.”

“Well, if you’re sure. I still wanna call her tomorrow and apologize.”

Eddie pats him on the back, the two starting to walk again. “Okay, whatever makes you feel better. Now,” Eddie claps his hands. “Bobby and Athena have the kids the rest of the night, and I don’t know about you, but I’m in the mood for some takeout in a nice, kid-free house, and watch some movies that don’t feature an animated character until we pass out from a food coma. You in?”

“Dude, you had me at take out, I’m starving! Here, you drive while I look for a place.” Buck tosses his keys at Eddie, already scrolling through his phone. “Are we feeling Chinese or Thai tonight? Oh! Or we could try that Korean BBQ place that just opened that we’ve been meaning to try.”

“Korean sounds good. I glanced at the menu before and there’s way too much meat to try with Jax, so this might be our only chance. Plus, Thai this late at night gives you heartburn.”

“Wow, just expose me like that.” Buck bumps his shoulder with a grin.

Eddie bumps him back. “Hey, I’m just trying to protect myself here so I don’t have to listen to you whine about it.”

“And they say chivalry is dead.”

0000000000000

“-And not only do they go out to karaoke together, they’ve apparently been doing these ‘buffridays’ where they order a ton of food in and watch movies together, just the two of them! That totally sounds like a date, right?” Buck doesn’t mean to unload on Jax like this in the middle of the supermarket, but it’s the only thing that’s been on his mind lately. 

Well that, and the whole Shannon thing, but it sounds like her and Eddie are starting to work things out now, at least where Christopher is concerned. Their marriage, on the other hand, is still in the air and Eddie doesn’t seem to be in any rush to get back together with her.

“So, if Aunt Maddie is dating Chimney now, should I start calling him Uncle Chimney?” Jax asks, not-so-subtly trying to sneak a candy bar in the cart.

Buck chuckles, placing a candy bar for himself in the cart too. “If you do, make sure I’m around, because I would love to see the look on his face.”

“Will do.” Jax laughs a little, but goes silent after that, biting his lip. If there is one thing he knows about his kid, it’s when he wants to ask something but doesn’t know how to bring it up.

Buck sighs, turning to go down the next aisle. “Alright, spit it out, kiddo. I can tell you have something on your mind.”

“I just- I was wondering…” Jax starts and stops a few times. Buck doesn’t push, letting him gather his thoughts on his own. “On the topic of dating, are you and Eddie dating? Not that there’s anything wrong with it!” Jax cuts him off before he can reply. “Eddie’s really cool, and being gay or- or bi is so normalized now compared to way back when-”

“Whoa, hey, slow down. I’m not so old that I’m collecting social security checks here. In case you’ve forgotten, your mother is gay and she’s been my best friend since we were younger than you are now.”

“No, I know, I just mean… Eddie’s cool.”

Buck rolls his eyes. How is this his life? “I think Eddie is cool too, which is why he’s my friend, nothing more. And don’t forget, you wouldn’t be standing here right now if I was gay.”

Jax cringes. “Ew, Dad, that’s gross. And that’s not fully true,” Jax continues on, pushing through discomfort. Damn, and Buck really thought he could get him to drop it with that last one. “Mami is gay and yet I’m still standing here.”

“Yeah, that one had more to do with the entire bottle of Jack Daniels that we drank on an empty stomach than me.” Buck is really starting to regret having this one hundred percent honesty deal with Jax, but he’d still rather have this than the zero communication he had with his own parents.

“Again, gross, but all those things you listed out about Aunt Maggie and Chimney, you and Eddie do too, plus you guys share a bed, so that makes you guys, like, married.”

Buck leans forward on the cart. “We share a bed so you and Chris can each have your own rooms, and I don’t have to sleep on his lumpy couch.” He ruffles Jax’s hair, earning a groan. “Listen, because this is the last time I’m going to say it, I’m straight. Sure, I check out a hot guy’s ass now and again, but that’s normal.” 

Jax makes a weird choking sound.

“What?” Buck pats him on the back.

“Um,” Jax snorts in what Buck now realizes is muffled laughter. “Sorry to break it to you, Dad, but that is not normal straight behavior.”

“Uh, yeah it is.”

“Uh, no it’s not. I’ve never checked out a guy before. His ass or otherwise”

Buck shakes his head. “Maybe because you’re a kid, but-”

“ Dad, I’m fifteen. I’ve checked out girls before, but I’ve literally never had an urge to check out ‘a hot guy’s ass’ before.” Jax even does finger quotes.

“Huh.” Buck pauses, staring at the different jars of pasta sauce. “I, uh, I think I might be bi?” Well, that certainly explains a few things.

“Congrats, I’ll be sure to buy you a t-shirt for Christmas. So, what’s for dinner?”

Buck blinks at the sudden tone shift. “Oh, uh, I was thinking some type of stir fry if everyone’s okay with it.”

Jax shrugs, phone already out. “I’m down. I’ll ask Eddie what him and Chris think.” He glances up. “Hey, Dad? Love you.”

Buck lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “Love you too, kid.” He wraps an arm around Jax for good measure, dropping a quick kiss on the top of his head, before getting a groan and being pushed away with a roll of the eyes and a drawn out “Dad…” .

000000000000

Buck has been on a video chat with Kelsey in the kitchen, helping Eddie pack Chris and Jax’s lunches for school. They’ve been meaning to catch up for a while now, but between work and her schooling, it’s been hard trying to get their schedules to line up. She finally got fed up when she saw Buck on a facebook video of the lady that tried to shoot him on the billboard a few days ago that had gone viral.

“She wasn’t going to shoot me.” Buck says for the thousandth time now, reaching across Eddie to grab some jam.

“The gun was loaded, Evan! I don’t care what you think she was or wasn’t going to do, there was still the chance-”

“But she didn’t, okay? I’m fine, and no one got hurt. I even thought it was kinda romantic.”

Kelsey huffs, making her feelings known. She looks in Eddie’s direction, speaking to him in quick Spanish. Eddie pauses in cutting off Christopher’s crust, replying in Spanish as well.

Buck rolls his eyes as the two continue, taking over finishing Chris’s lunch as well. As glad as he is that his two best friends get along, when they have a shared goal they become an unstoppable force. And right now, that shared goal is thinking Buck is being an idiot.

Eddie says something that makes Kelsey laugh. “How about we all just agree to disagree.” Buck cuts them off as the conversation is clearly devolving from its original topic.

Eddie and Kelsey glance at each other with a grin, bursting out laughing again. Buck really needs to get around to learning Spanish. It was one thing when it was just Jax and Kelsey, it was their thing and he didn’t want to encroach on it especially since Kelsey doesn’t get to see Jax as often as Buck. But now, with Eddie and even Christopher knowing a little bit of Spanish, Buck is starting to feel a bit like the odd one out. They’ve all offered to help him learn, but he’s just been too lazy.

“Fine, we’ll give you a break.” Eddie pretends to be put out, grabbing the lunches. “I better get the monsters to school. It was nice talking to you again, Kelsey.”

“You too, Eddie. Keep an eye on our Buck.”

“I always do. Jax, Chris, we gotta go!”

Buck follows Eddie out of the kitchen with the phone, letting Kelsey say a quick hi to Jax and Chris on their way out the door. As the three leave, he locks the door and turns his full attention back to Kelsey.

“So.” Buck starts, leaning back against the door.

“So.” She repeats.

“How, uh, how’ve you been?”

“Good.” She answers slowly. 

“Good. Yup, it’s good that you’re, um, good.”

There’s a moment of awkward silence, Kelsey checking her watch. “Well, as engaging as this conversation is, I have class soon-”

“Wait!”

She blinks at his outburst, and Buck feels like hitting himself. Why does he have to be so bad at stuff like this? It’s a simple question he has to ask, and he knows she won’t care. Hell, the two have been friends since they were nine and have had a freaking kid together. If that didn’t make her hate him, then-

“Yes?” She finally asks. “Evan, are you okay?”

Running a hand through his hair, he finally tears himself away from the door and collapses on the couch. “Yes, or… no. I don’t know. I guess I just- I don’t- When did you know you were into girls? Like, romantically.”

Her eyes widen. “Oh, wow, um, I wasn’t really expecting-”

Buck instantly feels bad for making her uncomfortable. “Hey, if this is too weird, or-”

“I never said that, I just wasn’t expecting a question like that is all. And if I had to put a number on it, I would say I always kinda knew.”

“So you never, say, hypothetically checked out a hot guy's ass?”

Kelsey chuckles at that. “No, I never checked out a hot guy’s ass. Why, have you been checking out guys’ asses?” She jokes. Buck swallows a lump in this throat, avoiding eye contact as she grows more serious. “Wait, have you been checking out guys?”

Buck breaks, throwing his head back against the sofa. “I thought it was normal!”

“I mean, it’s not abnormal.” Kelsey says as a little bit of humor returns to her voice.

“Kels, our fifteen year old son had to tell me, and I’m quoting here, “Dad, that’s not normal straight behavior”. It’s not funny! I found out I’m like, bi or whatever, in the middle of the pasta aisle of our supermarket!”

A little snort of laughter is all Buck hears. “I mean, it’s a little funny.”

Buck wants to be put out, but even he can’t help but crack a grin at the situation.

“So, with your newfound sexuality, does this mean that your boy crush on Eddie is a real crush?”

Buck chokes, his face heating up. “Wha- I don’t- Eddie’s just a friend! And isn’t it, like, a little early to be gossiping about boys? I only came out to you, like, thirty seconds ago.”

Kelsey goes easy on him, dropping the topic. “Fine, I’ll quit teasing. But seriously, Evan, thanks for sharing. I know from experience how hard that can be. Have you told anyone else yet? Your team or Maddie?”

“Not yet, but I’ll probably tell Maddie first, then the rest of the team all together.”

Some sign of hesitation must have been heard through his voice because Kelsey smiles softly at him. “Hey, from what you’ve told me, your team loves you. I’m sure they’ll be nothing but supportive just like they were when you told them about Jax. And if for whatever reason they’re not, I’ll come down there myself and knock some sense into them.”

“I-” Buck pauses, nodding at her with a smile. “Thanks.”

“No problem, Buckley. Now, I actually do need to get to class soon, but if you need me to stay, I can totally-”

“No.” Buck shakes his head, sitting up. “Go get smart or whatever it is you university types do. I need to get ready to go anyway. When Eddie gets back we’re heading over to his grandma’s to help out. She broke her hip recently, and I think Eddie feels a little guilty because it happened when she was watching Christopher.”

“Okay, if you’re sure. Love you.” She blows a kiss at him.

He returns the gesture. “Love you too. Bye.”

Buck sighs as he hangs up, letting his arm drop down. He did it, and damn it, he really does feel better for talking it through. 

Chapter Text

Buck glances up from his phone as Eddie collapses on the bed with a sigh, covering his face with his arm.

“Finally get Christopher down?”

“A while ago. I've just been on the phone with Shannon.”

Buck sets his phone down, not having a good feeling by his tone. “It's pretty late for a social call.”

Eddie moves his arm, giving Buck a flat stare. “Because it wasn’t. She keeps pushing me about wanting to see Christopher.”

“Well…”

Eddie sighs, rolling his eyes. “Geez, not you too.”

“Whoa, slow down for a minute and just hear me out. I mean, it’s been almost two months and you’ve been going to see her nearly every week. Don’t you think you guys have talked through everything by now?”

Eddie shifts, refusing to make eye contact with Buck.

“We haven’t exactly been doing much talking.” Eddie sits up, growing more animated. “I don’t know what to do here, man! Every time we get together to talk, we just end up having sex. It just ruins everything. That’s why she called me, said there is no chance of us ‘falling into bed together this way’.”

Buck winces. He’s probably not the best person to talk to about this, considering his own past concerning sex. “Hey, look on the bright side, technically there was still a chance you two could have done something over the-.”

All that earns him is a smack on the arm and an unimpressed groan. “This is the worst. I miss when we were teenagers and we actually got along. Now it feels like all we do is fight or have sex.”

Buck pats him on the shoulder. “I get it. Kids complicate things. After Jax-” The rest of what Buck was going to say gets cut off by a timid knock at their bedroom door.

“Daddy?” Christopher’s voice comes muffled through the door, little sniffles following it.

Eddie jumps out of bed, opening the door. “Mijo, what’s wrong?”

Chris reaches out, getting picked up immediately. “Is Buck here? I need a Buck hug.”

“Yeah, of course.” Eddie turns, setting Chris down in the middle of the bed.

Buck reaches out instantly, pulling Chris into a big hug. “Hey, buddy. Did you have a bad dream?”

Chris nods, sniffling into Buck’s chest. Buck exchanges a look with Eddie, who’s sat down and is rubbing Chris’s back. This has been happening more frequently for the past few weeks, but usually he just wants his dad. This is the first time he’s asked for Buck specifically. “Can I sleep with you and Daddy?”

“Uh,” Buck hesitates, not wanting to overstep. The last few times that Chris had nightmares, he just wanted Eddie with him in his own room. Buck used to let Jax sleep with him when he had nightmares, but he isn’t sure if Eddie is the type of parent that only wants Chris in his own bed, not Eddie’s.

Eddie catches on to his dilemma pretty quickly, making it clear he doesn’t mind silently, and that it’s all up to Buck. 

“Yeah, that’s more than fine.” Buck says, making room. Eddie slips into bed, turning off the table light and pulling the sheet up to tuck him and Christopher in.

“Do you wanna tell us what your dream was about?” Eddie asks, continuing to rub his back again. “It might make you feel better.”

Chris shakes his head again.

“Can I tell you a secret?” Buck gives it a try. “I have bad dreams too.” He whispers.

That seems to get his attention. Chris peeks up from his chest, red rimmed eyes staring at him in shock. “Really? But you aren’t scared of anything.”

“Really.” Buck confirms. “Just the other night, I had a scary dream that Bobby was mad at me and said he wasn’t ever going to talk to me again.”

Eddie nods at the memory, despite Buck being the only one that can see him. Buck hadn’t been at his finest that morning. “But Bobby would never do that, he loves you lots and lots, like how Daddy loves me or you love Jax.”

“I know that, but the dream felt so real I was scared it might really happen.”

Chris pauses, clearly thinking. “So- so what did you do to not be scared?”

“Well, first I told your daddy about it, because he could tell I was sad.” Buck glances up, sharing a small smile with Eddie who reaches across Chris to give his arm a light squeeze. “And Daddy said I should call Bobby.”

“And telling Bobby about your dream made you feel better?”

Buck nods. “It did. He told me he loved me lots and lots, and that I could never do anything that would make him quit talking to me.” Eddie smirks at the abridged version of the phone call that he had overheard, which was a lot less mushy and more along the lines of ‘You’re a dumb kid, but you’re my dumb kid, unfortunately, so I guess I’m stuck with you’. As silly and embarrassing as it was, calling up his boss in the morning over a stupid nightmare, Buck did appreciate the fond tone and reassurances Bobby gave him.

“I-” Chris starts, clenching Buck’s t-shirt in his little fist. “I had a dream that you left. Like how Mommy left.” Eddie’s hand freezes on top of Chris’s back, looking guilty.

“Oh, kiddo, come here.” Buck pulls him into another tight hug, reaching over to give Eddie a small squeeze on his arm in reassurance as well. Pulling back, he makes eye contact with Chris the best he can. “Jax and I have this agreement where we can never, ever break a pinky promise, so that means when I make one they are super serious. Now Chris,” Buck holds up his pinky. “I promise if you ever need me, I’ll do everything in my power to be there for you, no matter what.”

Chris wraps his pinky around Buck’s with tears still in his eyes, but a smile growing on his face. “I love you, Buck.”

Buck feels the prickle of tears in the corners of his own eyes. “I love you too, Christopher.” Holding back a sniffle, he subtly wipes an eye while gesturing to Eddie. “What about Daddy? Should we keep him around too?”

Chris giggles, laying back and turning slightly so he can see both Buck and Eddie. “I guess.”

Eddie fakes a gasp. “You guess? What am I, chopped liver?”

Eddie and Buck share a look as Chris giggles some more. “Nooooo, I love you too, Daddy.”

Eddie kisses the top of his head. “And I love you, mijo. So what’s the verdict? Did talking about your bad dream help?”

Chris nods. “Can I still sleep with you guys, though? Please?” He asks timidly, fiddling with the sheet.

“Just for tonight, but tomorrow it’s back to your bed, okay?” Eddie is going for stern, but Buck knows if Chris knocks on the door tomorrow night Eddie wouldn’t have the heart to turn him away.

Buck nearly awws as Chris holds up his pinky. “Promise. And Buck said pinky promises are extra special so that’s how you know I’m super serious.” Eddie is barely keeping a straight face at Chris’s copying of Buck as he shakes with his own pinky.

With a yawn, Chris settles back into the bed as Buck and Eddie straighten out the sheet and settle in themselves, each with an arm around Chris. It feels like it’s been years since Jax last came to Buck like this because of a nightmare. He can’t help but be a little glad that he got to do it one more time.

“Daddy?” Chris whispers after a few minutes when Buck thought he had fallen asleep.

Eddie hums, nearly asleep himself.

“Are you and Buck married?”

Eddie’s eyes shoot up. “What, uh, what makes you think that?” He sends a questioning look to Buck too, who shrugs. This is just as out of the blue for Buck as it is for Eddie.

“Because when Buck told me and Jax that he likes boys and girls now, I mentioned it to Sara at school who has two daddies and she told me that her daddies are married and share a bed. And then I remembered back in Texas Abuelo and Grandma are married and they shared a bed. And then the other night you were mad at Buck for making a mess in the kitchen, but you were smiling so I asked Jax why that is and he said it was because you two flirt like an old married couple. Also, what’s flirting?”

Buck covers his mouth to keep from laughing. Eddie looks like he just short-circuited. Eddie sends him a look for help over Chris’s head, but Buck only shakes his head. “All you.” he mouths.

“How- uh- how about we talk about this tomorrow? It’s late and you have school tomorrow, and Buck and I have work.”

Chris huffs. “Fine.”

In less than ten minutes, Chris is fully out, little snores sounding from him.

“Not wanting to teach your seven year old about flirting?” Buck whispers, not wanting to wake Chris. 

All he gets in return is a glare. 

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll talk to Jax about him watching what he says around impressionable youth.”

“Thank you.” Eddie sighs, glancing at Chris between them. “I should talk to Shannon, shouldn’t I.”

Buck sighs as well. “From the few times I’ve talked to her, it sounds like she really does want to be in Chris’s life again. What she did sucked, but I think the only real loser in this scenario is Chris.”

“Yeah, I’m starting to see that.”

“Sorry if I’m overstepping, or- or crossing a line by saying that. I know I’m not Chris’s parent, but-”

“But nothing.” Eddie cuts him off, growing serious. “You’re practically a parent to him in everything but name. You’ve been such a huge help since moving in, and Chris looks up to you so much. Hell, his whole nightmare was because he was scared you were going to leave.”

“I guess…” Buck’s not convinced. He’s spent so much of his life being told how over-involved he gets, from his parents when he overshared about something he was interested in to Maddie back when she first started dating Doug and she would defend him when Buck complained about him.

“Buck. Evan. I’m serious. All my family ever does is complain about how much they don’t like Shannon, but you’re the first person to look at it from Christopher’s perspective as a little kid that just misses his mom. That’s what a parent does. I’ve seen you do it for Jax, and I’ve seen you do it for Chris.”

Despite the dark room, Buck can feel the intense stare Eddie is sending him, being seen as if they’re standing in a brightly lit room. “Thanks.” Buck’s voice cracks. “Shit, you’re making me all emotional, you jerk.”

“Love you too. Now stop overthinking things for five minutes and get some sleep.”

000000000000000

As much as Eddie hates to admit it, Buck was right on all accounts. It doesn’t matter what Eddie or Shannon did in the past, all that matters is that they are both here now, and they both want what’s best for Christopher.

Don’t get him wrong, he isn’t ready to just drop him off with her for a weekend or something quite yet, but keeping her away and a secret from Chris isn’t helping anyone either.

They both agreed to start small. Eddie took Chris to the park and surprised him with Shannon and a picnic. The kid had been over the moon with excitement, squealing and flinging himself into her arms. He stayed glued to her side for the whole afternoon, nearing a melting point when Eddie finally said they had to go.

Expecting to have to take care of this, Eddie was shocked when Shannon kneeled down to Chris’s level and managed to calm him down by reassuring him that they can see each other again soon, and that if Chris ever wants to talk to her then all he has to do is ask Eddie to call her and they can video chat. Chris nodded through tears as he calmed down and held up his pinky, having her pinky swear that she won’t leave again.

That’s another thing, ever since Buck taught him that, Chris has been obsessed with making pinky promises. He’s also been obsessed with anything Buck for that matter. He’s like a little mini me following Buck’s every move.

Buck, of course, thinks it’s one of the cutest things ever.

Their biggest obsession at the moment is cooking, which usually involves Eddie and Jax getting kicked out of the kitchen while the two “Chefs” prepare dinner. Jax and Eddie are fine with this because it just means they have some peace to watch whatever game is on that doesn’t involve Buck and Chris’s sighs of boredom.

Christmas eve is no exception, Eddie and Jax banished once again to the living room with some random made-for-tv Christmas special on in the background. There’s a clatter in the kitchen that has Eddie and Jax glancing at one another in concern.

“Buck, are you sure-” Eddie calls out.

Buck pokes his head around the corner. “Don’t even think about coming in here. If the food so much as senses you in the same room as itself it will go bad. I don’t think Shannon wants to come over just to get food poisoning.” She’s been over for dinner a few times now, but Buck has been extra worried since this is the first holiday dinner he’s cooking from scratch. 

“Yeah, Dad, don’t come in!” Chris adds.

Eddie snorts, rolling his head on to the back of the couch. “Fine, I’ll stay where I am.” Buck makes an ‘I’m watching you’ gesture before slinking back into the kitchen, Chris doing the same. “Dork.” Eddie chuckles, shaking his head.

Jax groans from his armchair, peeking up from behind his book. “What’s that old saying? ‘Gag me with a spoon’ or something like that.”

Eddie’s first instinct is to dispute that, but he’s just happy Jax is finally acting like a normal teenager around him. It took a few weeks for him to go from the stiff kid that spent hours helping Eddie with paperwork and being overly polite to the snarky teenager that Buck would talk about.

Eddie laughs sarcastically, checking his phone. He gets a message just as the doorbell rings. “Hey, kid, can you get that?”

Jax rolls his eyes, but gets up without complaint. Almost on cue, there’s a gasp as he opens the door, which has Eddie smirking. “Mom? Mami!” Jax nearly knocks her down with his hug.

Eddie wishes he had a camera for the look on Buck’s face as he walks out of the kitchen after hearing all the commotion. “Wha- Kelsey, what are you doing here?” He turns to Eddie. “Did you know about this?”

Eddie shrugs, getting up from the couch. “It was her idea, I just texted her the house address.”

Buck runs up, getting his own hug. “I can’t believe you’re here! How long has it been?”

“Too long.” She pulls back, tucking a bit of her short brown hair behind her ear. “Hi, Eddie. Good to finally meet you in person and not through a screen.”

“Same here.” Eddie gives her a quick hug, getting out of the way as Chris comes up. 

He and Buck step back to give the kids a chance to talk to Kelsey more. “I can’t believe you kept this a secret from me.” Buck comments, watching as Kelsey pulls out two wrapped gifts, one for Jax and the other for Chris.

Eddie grins at Buck’s smile. “What? Like it’s hard? I’m not Chim here, I know how to keep a secret.”

Buck half shoves half leans against his shoulder for that. “This is incredible! Nearly all my favorite people under one roof. Best Christmas ever.”

The happy smile Buck sends his way makes his chest tighten in that way it keeps doing recently, and all of a sudden he has this urge to lean forward and- oh

Oh.

Well, this is a new development.

Luckily, Eddie is literally saved by the bell as the doorbell rings again signaling Shannon’s arrival, distracting Buck from Eddie’s hesitation. 

The rest of the night is a whirlwind of activity, the house louder than it’s ever been. When him and Chris moved in a few months ago, just the two of them, Eddie never imagined the house being this full of laughter. Full of family.

The most random thought for him though, aside from maybe wanting to kiss his best friend, was that he kept thinking about how he needs to find a bigger dining table. The six of them barely managed to squeeze in, and that’s only because Chris and Jax are still fairly small. Give them a few years and then-

And then he won’t need a larger table, because this is only temporary. Buck’s made it pretty clear that he’s only here until he saves up enough money for him and Jax to find their own place.

“Hey, why the long face, sad sack?” Shannon asks, handing him a glass of wine and sitting down on the couch next to him. It’s just the two of them now, the kids off showing Kelsey their rooms and Buck tagging along.

Eddie shakes his head, hoping to clear his mind. “Nothing’s wrong, just tired. It’s been a long week at work and-”

“Eddie.” Shannon rests her hand on his shoulder. A hand that he only just now realizes is bare, no wedding ring in sight. She wore it at the tavern, and the picnic, and the other dinners, so why has it taken him all night to finally notice she isn’t wearing it?

Looking down at his own bare hand, he can’t remember the last time he wore his own ring. It’s been so long, he doesn’t even have a tan line anymore. “I think we should get a divorce.” He finds himself saying.

She seems to have been expecting that, nodding in understanding. “Yeah, I think so too.”

Their little bubble gets interrupted by the sounds of crutches and voices getting closer. “Mommy, mommy, I forgot to show you the picture of me with Santa! I went all by myself!”

Shannon wipes her eyes, putting a smile on. “Wow, hunny, that’s amazing! Let me see-”

“You two okay?” Buck asks softly, brushing a knuckle against his arm. “It looked like things were kinda heavy in here.”

“Better than okay.” Eddie says with a smile, chest feeling lighter. “We decided to get a divorce.”

Eddie wants to laugh at the confused look on Buck’s face. “Wait- What?”

Eddie stands up, patting Buck on the shoulder with that tight, happy feeling in his chest again. “Never change, Buck.”

000000000000

Christmas day was amazing, probably the best one Eddie’s ever had. His Tia and Abuela came to visit for a few hours in the afternoon, and despite the slight tension of Shannon there, everyone managed to stay friendly with one another. Buck was a big part of that, doing what he does best and keeping the attention on him or one of the kids. The two women adore Jax as much as Chris, practically adopting him on the spot when they first met him a couple months ago.

The only slight downer was that Maddie couldn’t make it. She seems to be skipping Christmas this year and wants to be alone after making the split with Doug official. Buck did seem to perk up a little when Eddie mentioned he should take some leftovers to her tonight on his own. She may not want to spend the day with anyone, but no one says no to some free food.

The three adults plus Jax are relaxing in the living room as Buck runs off to do that, Chris already asleep in his room after all the excitement.

“This isn’t fair, I wanted to go see Aunt Maddie too.” Jax huffs.

“It’s for the best, kid. I don’t think she’s in the best of moods for visitors. Chim texted the other day that she even turned him away for the day. Chances are, your dad’s just gonna leave the food on her doorstep and turn right around.” Eddie tries to reassure him.

“Eddie’s right,” Kelsey adds. “It was before you were born, but if Doug was even half as bad as from when Buck and I were kids, I don’t blame Maddie for wanting to be alone.”

“So you’ve met him?” Shannon asks, still playing catch up.

“Just once. Always got the vibe that he was some know-it-all that thinks he’s better than everyone else. He really hated Buck though.”

“Probably because Buck could see through his bullshit, even as a thirteen year old.” Eddie mutters into his glass of wine, earning himself a kick from Shannon. “What? It’s true.”

“Language.” She laughs, gesturing at Jax.

“Chris is in bed, and Jax is fifteen.” Eddie rolls his eyes. “Jax, don’t swear.”

Jax wears a shit eating grin that is the exact match of Buck’s. “Mami, can I swear?”

“Ask your father when he gets home.”

Eddie’s phone starts ringing, and when seeing it’s Bobby, sets his wine down and stands to answer it. “Hey, Bobby, Merry Christmas.” Eddie ruffles Jax’s hair on the way to take the call in the kitchen.

Eddie freezes at Bobby’s somber tone, everyone around him quieting down as he frowns in the doorway. 

“Shit, yeah, I’ll come as soon as I can. Where’s Buck?” Everyone perks up at that, Jax standing.

“At the scene still being interviewed. Athena and I are on our way now unofficially, but we’ll take him to the hospital as soon as the detectives are done with him. You, uh, you might want to bring Buck a fresh shirt. From what we heard, he’ll need it.”

Eddie hurries down the hall, ignoring the others asking what’s going on and grabbing the first shirt he finds in the clean hamper. “Got it. See you soon, bye.”

“Eddie, what’s going on? Where’s my dad?!” Jax confronts him as he enters the living room again.

“Chimney was stabbed, and Buck kept him alive until paramedics could get him to the hospital. He’s fine, but he’s still at Maddie’s apartment.”

“And where’s Aunt Maddie?”

Eddie pauses, glancing at Kelsey and Shannon.

“Eddie!” Jax yells, shaking him.

“It was Doug, wasn’t it.” Kelsey says calmly.

Eddie nods, swallowing. “Yeah, they think so. She’s missing, and they think Doug took her.”

“I’m going with you.” Jax exclaims, already pulling his coat on.

Eddie snaps out of it, reaching out to stop him. “What? No, you need to stay here.”

“No!” Jax pulls his arm back. “I don’t care what you say, I’m going too!”

The glare he sends Eddie reminds him scarily of when Buck has his mind set on something. “Fine.” Eddie caves. “Get your shoes on, we need to go now. I hate to ask, but can you two-”

“We’ll stay here with Christopher. Go.” Shannon answers for them both.

“Keep us updated.” Kelsey adds.

Eddie nods, on his way out the door.

00000000000

Eddie and Jax are the last to arrive at the hospital, sans Buck and Bobby. The mood is bleak, and he just hopes he isn’t too late.

“Hey, we came as soon as we heard. Any news?”

Hen shakes her head, accepting a hug from Jax. “Not yet, he’s still in surgery. They said it could be awhile.”

Eddie nods, gripping Buck’s shirt and not sure what to do now that he’s here. Hen sees his struggle and scoots over closer to Karen to make room for him and Jax. Sitting down, Jax immediately melts into his side, and Eddie doesn’t hesitate to wrap his arm around him.

The silence is stifling, making him realize how much Chim usually fills the room. “This is, uh, usually the part where Chimney makes a bad joke to try and raise everyone’s spirits.”

Hen snorts. “Yeah, he’s always been good at that. I can almost hear him now.”

“Oh, yeah? What would he say?”

Hen thinks about it, holding back her tears. “Something like… Why did you bring Buck what is clearly one of your shirts?”

Eddie glances down, for the first time noticing it’s that silly El Paso Fun Run shirt that Buck loves. He chuckles, holding it with the hand not currently busy holding Jax. “It’s, uh, a bit of a long story.”

“Well, we got nothing but time. Spill, Diaz.”

“Dad stole it.” Jax speaks for the first time, voice monotone. “He said it was really soft and that Eddie would have to pry it from his cold, dead hands before he gave it back.” Jax grips his arm tighter, pulling him even closer. 

Eddie smiles, dropping a quick kiss down on Jax’s head. “You heard it straight from the horse’s mouth. Buck is a stealing stealer who steals.”

“Uncle Chimney would say that you should steal something back.”

“Interesting idea. What do you think, Hen?”

Hen lets out a wet laugh. “I think that sounds exactly like something Chimney would say. That reminds me of this one time-”

Eddie smiles with a mission accomplished. Everyone is taking turns now, telling more and more ridiculous stories involving Chimney.

A few hours later once Jax is fully asleep against Eddie. Most of the other people in their party are asleep too, except for Hen, who smiles gratefully at him.

“Thanks for that.” She whispers.

Eddie shakes his head. “It was no problem. I’ve had more than my share of stressful waits in hospital waiting rooms.”

“No, seriously. It was hard enough for him the first time Chimney was in life saving surgery, but now for his aunt to be missing too…”

Eddie rests his chin on top of Jax’s head, holding him close. His shoulder hurts from the odd angle and his whole arm has gone completely numb for the past few hours, but he wouldn’t change it for the world. “I can’t imagine what he’s going through right now. I’m just trying to be here for him any way I can.”

Hen smiles, brushing some hair out of Jax’s face. “He knows.”

They hear footsteps, both their heads shooting up in case it’s a nurse or doctor with news, but they deflate when it’s only Bobby.

“Any news?” Hen asks.

“And where’s Buck?”

Bobby looks between the two. “Uh, nothing so far, but Athena’s detective friend is hunting down some leads as we speak. Buck’s in the bathroom, he had a lot of, um,” Bobby gestures to the front of his shirt. “And he didn’t know who was here, or awake, and he didn’t want to startle anyone.”

“Of course.” Eddie hands Bobby the shirt, careful not to jostle Jax. “Let him know we’re here, and that Shannon and Kelsey are watching Chris at home.”

Bobby nods. “Will do.”

After Bobby leaves, Hen gives him a look. “You’re staring.”

“You and Buck hosted Christmas together? How… domestic.”

Eddie tries to fight back a smile. “Shut up. If I didn’t have a kid clutching my arm I’d hit you.”

“Was your date Buck or Shannon?” Hen teases him anyway.

The smile drops from Eddie’s face slightly. “Shannon and I decided to get a divorce, actually.”

“Oh, Eddie, I had no idea. I’m so sorry.”

Eddie shrugs with his free shoulder. “It stings a little, but it was for the best. My parents forced us to marry when Shannon got pregnant, and all we’ve done since then is fight. Making that decision together, it felt like all this pressure was lifted and I finally got my best friend back.”

Hen glances up. “And speaking of besties, ‘Thena, what’s up? Any news?”

“No.” She crosses her arms. “And we just lost a potential avenue due to this one’s idiot.”

Eddie closes his eyes with a sigh. “What did Buck do now?”

0000000000

After carefully shifting Jax to Hen’s side without waking him, Eddie followed Athena while she told him all about what ‘his idiot’ did. He isn’t surprised to find Buck in hospital jail, surrounded by two cops and Bobby. He nods to the three after being escorted by Athena. Buck sort of reminds Eddie of a kid that got sent to the principal's office, shivering slightly in just the t-shirt that Eddie brought. Damn, he should have figured his jacket would be ruined too.

“So, that was a bold move.” He comments as he takes off his jacket, draping it over Buck’s shoulders before sitting down himself.

Buck sighs, eyes red from stress and crying as he puts his arms through the jacket with a soft thanks. “Yeah, yeah, I know. Mom and Dad over there,” He motions to Bobby and Athena, who don’t look too pleased with him, are standing. “Already gave me the lecture. ‘What were you thinking, Buck?’ So, you can save your breath.” 

“Nah, I know what you were thinking. I got sisters too, remember?”

Buck scoffs, doing a double take at him. “Wait, where’s-”

“Jax is with Hen. He’s currently using her as a pillow right now.”

“Yeah, okay. That’s good.”

“Now, what I’m curious about,” Eddie comments, leaning back against the wall behind them. “Is how you thought you’d get away with that.”

Buck smirks a little, bouncing his leg like he does when he’s nervous. “I wasn’t worried about that.” There’s a pause, and then as Eddie expected Buck is suddenly a ball of movement. “See, the police have all these rules. Rules that are going to get Maddie killed. But I’m a civilian, those rules don’t apply to me, right?”

Eddie closes his eyes, seeing what Buck is trying to do. But this is the whole reason Athena came to get him, since apparently he’s the only one that can talk some sense into Buck. “Then why are you in hospital jail?”

That seems to deflate Buck, some of his manic energy from earlier draining away. “I told Maddie, I said she didn’t need to keep running, that she can start over here. I told her I would keep her safe. ”

“This isn’t your fault.” Eddie tries, but it falls on deaf ears. “ Evan, look at me, none of this is your fault.”

“But-” Buck’s voice cracks, tears starting up again.

Eddie reaches over, grabbing his hand. “I’ll say it as many times as you need to hear it, this isn’t your fault. If she kept running, you think he wouldn’t have found her? Only then, she’d be alone.”

“She’s alone now. ” Despite his harsh tone, Buck flips his hand over and grips Eddie’s hand back, interlocking their fingers. “With him.”

“I know.” Eddie whispers, wishing he could do something to change that.

Athena finally hangs up, walking over to stand in front of the two. “Detective Marks is not happy with you.”

“I-I know, and- and I’m so, so sorry.” Buck starts bouncing his leg again.

“Sorry doesn’t cut it. You broke the chain of command by unlocking Chimney’s phone without his consent, and now Marks can’t use any of it.”

“I’m sorry, okay? I was trying to help.”

Athena sighs, glancing at Bobby behind her. “Okay, let’s go. Car’s out front.”

The grip on Eddie’s hand gets even tighter if that’s possible. Buck looks between her and Eddie. “Wait, are you arresting me?”

“Bobby, c’mon, y’know he was just doing what he thought he had to to save Maddie.”

Athena raises her hand to silence them both. “He’s not under arrest. Not yet, anyway. Now let’s go find that sister of yours.”

Athena walks away without another word, leaving Buck in shock as he looks between him and Bobby. Bobby wordlessly gestures for Buck to follow after her.

“Go.” Eddie urges him too. “I’ll keep an eye on Jax, so just focus on bringing Maddie home.”

Buck nods, giving him a quick hug. “Thank you.” He mummers, Eddie feeling his breath on his neck.

“Be safe. We’ve already seen what this psycho will do to someone he sees as in his way.”

“I’ll have Athena with me, can’t get much safer than that.”

They pull away, Eddie still gripping Buck’s sleeves. “Buck, I-”

“Move that ass, Buck!” Athena interrupts them, motioning for Buck to follow her.

He looks between Athena and Eddie. “I’ll be back. Promise.” 

Eddie holds up his pinky, causing Buck to chuckle a little and shake his pinky with his own before letting his finger slip through Eddie’s. 

And just like that, Buck and Athena are gone.

Everything goes quiet for a moment, and then a second or a minute passes, Eddie isn’t sure, and Bobby sits down next to him.

“What should I do next?” Eddie finally asks him.

Bobby shrugs, folding his hands in front of himself. “That’s up to you. You could pray, scream, cry, check on your kid-”

Eddie shakes his head, wringing his hands together. “Chris is at home with his mom still asleep.”

Bobby shakes his head. “I meant your other kid. The one that followed you here tonight.”

Eddie scoffs. “Jax isn’t my kid. I care about him, but-”

“You and I know family isn’t just who you’re born from. Right now, I’m trusting Athena to keep my son safe tonight.”

Eddie nods as Bobby rubs his shoulder. “I, uh, I told Buck that I see him as just as much a parent to Christopher as Shannon and I.”

“And why is that?”

“Because he… he just is. I trust him to always put Chris first, and- and to do whatever he can to keep him safe.”

“Well, in that case, would you put Jax first and do whatever you could to keep him safe?”

Eddie’s head shoots up, sending a glare at Bobby. “Of course I would. How can you even ask-” Eddie pauses, watching a small grin grow on Bobby’s face. “Oh, I see what you did there.”

“Congrats, Diaz,” Bobby pats him on the back. “It’s a boy.”

Eddie sighs, too tired and emotionally drained for all this. “On second thought, I think I’d just like to pray for a bit.”

000000000000

The rest of the night waiting at the hospital is uneventful. Jax is awake by the time Eddie returns with Bobby, and upset that nobody woke him up earlier to see his dad. It takes awhile to talk him down, both of them stressed and exhausted, but he manages it in the end.

It’s early in the morning when they get word that Chimney is out of surgery and expected to make a full recovery.

Eddie’s trying to draft a text to send to Shannon and Kelsey with the good news, when he receives a text from Jax showing that the kid had created a group chat including him, Buck, Shannon and Kelsey.

“I was gonna do that.” Eddie teases, setting his phone down.

Jax rolls his eyes, opening a bag of chips he got from the vending machine down the hall. “I could have hand written and personally delivered a letter in the time it takes you to send a text.”

Bobby shares a look with Eddie, chuckling at the conversation.

It isn’t much longer before Athena’s ex-husband shows up with coffee for everyone, a true God send after all the crappy stuff they’ve been drinking. He also brings Harry and May with him, who go over to Jax to keep him company.

Not long after Michael shows up, Shannon and Kelsey arrive with Christopher in tow as well, coffee and donuts in hand. Eddie is grateful to see Chris, picking him up and hugging him.

“Daddy, where’s Buck?” Chris asks as he’s set down, looking around the room.

“He, uh, he’s looking for his sister Maddie with Athena.”

“Why? Is she lost?”

Eddie knees down with a sigh, resting his hand on Chris’s shoulder. “A bad person took Maddie. He hurt Chimney too, that’s why he’s in the hospital.”

“But- but what if that bad person hurts Buck?”

“That’s why Athena went with him. It’s her job to keep people safe from bad people.”

Christopher nods in understanding, going off to find Jax. Eddie winces as he stands again, his back sore from sitting in the uncomfortable hospital chairs all night. Shannon notices and tries to talk him into going home for a shower and nap, but Eddie refuses. He isn’t going anywhere until he knows how the rest of this plays out.

000000000

It’s late afternoon, and everyone but Eddie and Bobby have gone home by this point. They’ve all been in to visit Chimney throughout the day, and slowly everyone’s been talked into going home for some rest. Eddie even managed to get Jax to head home after Bobby got a text from Athena that Maddie is safe and heading to a hospital with Buck.

Eddie’s just nodding off in his seat when he gets nudged by Bobby. Jerking awake, he’s surprised by the sight of Buck walking in with Athena.

Buck looks awful, to put it kindly. His eyes are bloodshot and there are dark circles under his eyes. His clothes are stained, some tears in the knees where it looks like he fell and rolled in the mud.

“Buck!” Eddie jumps up, running to his side. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

“Eddie?” Buck meets him halfway, falling into his arms like a puppet with its strings cut. “Eddie, I- I- I did it. I brought her home, Eddie.”

Eddie grabs him, Buck’s weight pulling them both to the floor. “I know you did, I’m so proud of you.” Eddie holds him tight, rocking him back and forth.

Buck buries himself in Eddie’s chest, fully crying. Knowing Buck, he was probably holding this in since Maddie was saved. “She killed him, Eddie. She killed Doug and I’m so fuckin’ happy.”

“Course she did, she’s a Buckley, and you Buckleys are fighters.”

“I was- I was so scared we weren't gonna to find her in time, or- or-”

“Hey, hey, shh.” Eddie runs a hand through Buck’s hair, cupping the back of his head. “Don’t do that. You did find her, and that’s all that matters, okay?”

Eddie knows they must be some sight, two grown adults on the floor clutching each other as Buck covers his t-shirt in snot and tears, but he really couldn’t care less. Buck needs this release, and Eddie’s going to give him all the time he needs.

Chapter Text

The next three weeks after the incident were hectic to say the least. Buck was so grateful to have Eddie to lean on. The first couple days were spent keeping Maddie company in the hospital. She was waiting to get cleared to transfer to Chimney’s so they can spend time recovering together, so Eddie was watching the kids himself most of the time.

Buck felt awful for not having time for Kelsey either, so the two of them went out to lunch to catch up, where she revealed that coming down to LA wasn’t just a social visit. The law firm she had been interning at in San Francisco had offered her a paid position down in LA starting after the new year, and she said yes. When asked about her schooling, she said that she only has one semester left anyway and that she can do it online.

Jax had obviously been thrilled at the news that his mom was going to be living in the same city as him for the first time in years. He was even more thrilled when he found out that she would be crashing on their couch while looking for a new place.

That’s another thing, Buck isn’t sure when the shift from “Eddie’s couch” to “their couch” happened, but he likes it. Call him selfish, but he gets a little shot of joy anytime someone refers to the house as “their house” or the bedroom as “their bedroom”. Their lives have become so intertwined, he’s not sure anymore where one ends and the other begins. Hell, they share a Costco membership for God’s sake.

The 118 had a particularly fun time teasing them about that one.

“God, just save everyone some time and just get married already, Buckley.” Jones had teased good naturally from the back of the engine, voice crackling through the speakers. He’s usually on B-shift, but has been covering for Chimney while he’s on medical leave.

“Ha ha.” Buck laughed sarcastically. “I’m just saying, they allow two people on a membership anyway, so we might as well save a little money and have one together.” Buck knocks his knee against Eddie’s, grinning at him, who grins back.

“I think that’s very financially responsible of you, Buck. I’m proud of you.” Bobby comments from the captain’s seat.

“Thank you!” Buck exclaims. “See, Bobby gets it!”

“Athena and I had the same idea and merged our accounts after we got engaged.” Bobby adds with a smirk, glancing to the back.

The rest of the cab erupts in laughter, Hen knocking her shoulder against his next to him. “Yeah, Karen and I have a shared account too.”

“Hey, we’re feeding two growing boys. Buying in bulk is basically mandatory if Eddie and I don’t want a revolt on our hands.” Buck defends himself, laughing along with the others.

“Three if you count Buck.” Eddie joins in. “I’ve seen him eat an entire rotisserie chicken by himself in one sitting.”

That sets off another round of laughter, Hen in particular giving him a look that’s a mix between disgusted and impressed.

“That was one time!” Buck says between laughs himself. “We had just gotten off a super busy shift and we still had to do our shopping for the week! And in my defense, the sample game was weak that day!”

“And yet, I managed with just a hotdog and soda.” Eddie looks to the others. “The cafeteria staff still remember us.”

“Chim wasn’t joking when he said you two were joined at the hip. What’s next, filing your taxes together?” Jones is being sarcastic, but it gives Buck ideas.

He snaps his fingers, pointing at Eddie. “No joke, do you think we qualify to file jointly this year?”

Eddie rolls his eyes, ready to shoot him down when he pauses. “You might be onto something. I’ll call my accountant friend when we get home, float him a couple questions. At the very least, I can work on yours when I do mine. I’ve seen you try to help Christopher with his math homework, I’m surprised you haven’t been audited before now.”

Bobby puts an end to their conversation for now, giving out orders as they pull up to the scene.

So, yeah, somehow in the last few months, Buck and Eddie have become this ready-made family unit without ever noticing it was happening until it was right in front of them. 

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“Okay, it’s official Kels, you have the coolest apartment ever!” Buck comments as him and Eddie set down a couch in her new living room, wandering to the windows. “A balcony, a cool loft area, double ovens,” Buck looks pointedly at Eddie, who rolls his eyes.

“For the last time, Buck, the oven we have is fine.”

“But Eddie, two ovens. Think of all the things I can cook at once.”

“Who are all these people you’re cooking for? There’s only four of us.”

Buck shrugs, knowing he’s losing this battle fast.

“As fascinating as this argument is,” Kelsey interrupts them, sharing a look with Maddie. “Thanks again for helping me move. I don’t know how I would have done all this by myself.”

“Hey, what’s the point in us knowing two strong firefighters if they don’t help us move.” Maddie answers for them. Buck didn’t want her to help, but she insisted that if she is well enough to go back to work tomorrow, then she’s well enough to carry some boxes. “I will warn you though, do not let these two assemble Ikea furniture.” She mock whispers. “I swear, they share, like, one brain cell between them.”

“I know, right! I love them, but they were driving me crazy. When this place came on the market and it passed “Fire Chief Buckley’s” requirements, I had to get it.”

Maddie raises a brow, turning to Buck. “Requirements? Do I even wanna know?”

“Just a few things,” Buck defends himself, raising his hands. “You know, making sure the building’s up to code, the owner is reputable, the place is in the 118’s call radius,” Eddie snorts at the last one, shaking his head. “Don’t laugh, you were with me on that one.”

Maddie ignores them, turning back to Kelsey with a sympathetic look. “Yeah, no wonder you wanted off their couch. Tomorrow is your first day, right? We should get dinner after, just the two of us. We can swap war stories from our first days.”

“It’s a deal.”

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Chimney sighs, folding the last pair of socks. What has he come to, getting enjoyment out of organizing his entire closet? Only one more week and he’ll be cleared to return on light duty. He’s just so bored! He’s not meant to sit around and do nothing, he needs to be out there helping people.

There’s suddenly a knock at his door, and he looks at it confused before getting up with a wince and slowly walking toward it. Everyone should be on shift right now, and even Maddie went back to work today.

Looking through the peephole, he blinks for a second before opening the door. “Jax? What are you doin’ here, bud? Shouldn’t you be in school?”

Jax shrugs, gripping the strap of his laptop bag. “It was a half day today, and since Chris went to a friend’s birthday party, I thought I’d come hang out with my favorite uncle.”

Chimney squints at him. Unfortunately for Jax, he can lie about as well as Buck, i.e not at all. “Uh-huh.” Chimney shifts his weight, still holding the door handle. “Alright, spill. Which one of your dads sent you to check on me?”

Jax bites his lip, caving immediately. “It was Aunt Maddie, actually. But Dad and Eddie were worried too. I, uh,” Jax opens his bag, digging something out. “I didn’t come empty handed though! These are your favorite, right?” He holds out a bag of Chimney’s favorite Korean BBQ flavored Lays that can only be found at a market across town.

Chimney grabs the bag, stepping aside. “Bribery accepted. Come on in, kid.”

He grins, following him in. “Hey, can we watch Game of Thrones?”

“Didn’t your dads say you couldn’t watch that? And sorry about the mess, I figured I’d get some organizing done since I have all this free time.”

Jax nods, making room on the couch for himself. “Yeah…”

Chimney grins, grabbing the remote. “Then get ready for some George R.R. Martin.”

Jax grins back. “I recognize that you’re just using me as a pawn in your revenge against Dad, and I’m okay with it.”

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Buck can feel his headache grow as they take off from refueling at the station after the dramatic birth and revival of the mother.

“I am so ready for this day to be over.” He groans into the headset, pinching the bridge of his nose. If he’s stressed, he can only imagine how Maddie’s doing at the call center with all of C.A.D. down on her first day back.

“You can say that again.” Hen knocks her knee against his. “Hey, Cap. Things were looking a little heated between you and Michael, what was that about?”

“Nothing, just- just a disagreement about Harry.” Bobby pauses, and they figure that’s where he’s going to leave it when he speaks again. “Him and his friend started a fire on the front lawn so they could pretend to be firefighters and put it out.”

They all wince, glancing at each other.

“I said I’d talk to Harry about it, but Michael pointed out that I’m not Harry’s father, he is.”

“So you’re just gonna let him be in charge and do nothing?” Buck asks, not liking where this is going.

“What am I supposed to do, Buck? Michael’s right, I’m not Harry’s father. It’s not my place to say anything.”

Buck and Eddie share a look. “No… but you are gonna be Harry’s step-father.” Buck says slowly.

Bobby shakes his head. “You don’t understand, Buck. How would you feel if Eddie started telling Jax what to do?”

Buck furrows his brow. “He already does.”

“Yeah, and Buck has given Chrisopher a timeout or two.” Eddie adds.

“Kids are brutal, Cap. Chris used to come to me for extra dessert because he knew I wouldn’t say no.”

“And Jax went to me to unlock the parental controls on the TV so he could watch Outlander.” 

Hen glances at the two of them. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but Buck and Eddie are right, Cap. You, Michael, and Athena have to have a united front. Kids are little geniuses that will find the smallest crack in your defenses and exploit it.”

Buck’s phone starts vibrating in his pocket. He points to Hen in agreement as he pulls it out and frowns at the caller ID.

“Who is it?” Eddie asks.

Buck turns his phone so he can see. “Kelsey?” He takes off his headset and puts the phone on speaker as he answers. “Hey, Kels, this isn’t the best-”

“Buck, shut up and listen!” She yells, sounding out of breath. “None of us could get through to 911 and I wasn’t sure who else to call! Where are you?”

Buck looks out the window, rattling off the street names as they pass. “Kels, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“It’s my boss… He… collapsed. I think it… Was a heart attack!”  

Eddie gestures for the phone, and Buck hands it over without complaint. “Kels, it’s Eddie! How long have you been doing CPR?” 

As Eddie does that, Buck puts his headset back on and tells Bobby the address to her work. Luckily it’s only a few blocks from where they are now. With a nod, Bobby radios to dispatch where they are headed and flips on the lights.

It doesn’t take long for them to be running into the office, Eddie filling in Hen. “Fifty-six year old male. Complaining of chest pain shortly before collapsing. Continuous CPR for the past six minutes.”

“Got it. Make a hole, paramedics coming through!” The crowd parts, showing Kelsey doing CPR on an older man, sweat dripping down her face. Hen and Eddie kneel down, Hen taking the lead. “You must be Kelsey. I’m Hen and I’m going to take over for you, okay?”

Kelsey nods, leaning out of the way when Hen says switch.

Buck is kneeling behind her to hold her steady. “You did so good, Kels. Here, have some water.”

She grabs it and takes a few gulps. “Is- is he gonna be okay?” She asks, not taking her eyes off Hen and Eddie working.

Right as she asks that, there’s a beeping that sounds through the air. “We got a pulse!” Hen calls out, the office cheering.

Buck grins, squeezing her shoulders in a light hug. “Looks like it, and it’s all thanks to you.”

Kelsey shakes her head, taking another sip of water. “I just did what I see people do on TV. Eddie and your friend Hen did all the work.”

Hen nods to the other set of paramedics that showed up in the confusion, handing the man off to them. “Don’t sell yourself short, girl. Eddie and I wouldn’t have had anything to work with if you hadn’t kept him alive. Looks like being a badass runs in the family.”

Kelsey’s face is already red from the CPR, but Buck swears she blushes at that. He is going to have so much fun teasing her about her crush on Hen later. 

“This isn’t really how I imagined meeting all of Buck’s friends. My makeup is probably a mess, and I’ve completely sweat through my new shirt.” 

“You look fine, Kels. Eddie, tell her she looks good.”

Eddie winks at her, getting their equipment packed away.

She just turns back to Buck with a deadpan expression. “No offense, but I’ve seen him compliment some of your outfits. Sorry if I don’t hold your boyfriend’s opinion real high.”

Buck feels his face heat up, and looks up just in time to see Eddie’s cheeks red too as he refuses to make eye contact.

Hen laughs, and even Bobby chuckles a little. “Kelsey, I believe we are going to be great friends.” Hen says as she stretches out a hand to help her up.

Buck stands with a grin, wandering over to Eddie as Kelsey speaks with Hen and Bobby about what happened. “So… Was that supposed to be a dig against me or you?” He asks as he slides up to Eddie’s side, bumping his shoulder in their way of silently asking if the other is alright.

Eddie grins, bumping his shoulder back to signal that he’s fine. “I think it was against both of us?” Now Eddie’s phone is vibrating. He pulls it out, and Buck’s heart drops when he sees Jax’s name on the screen.

“Jax, what’s wrong? Are you and Chimney okay?” Buck asks as soon as Eddie answers and puts it on speaker.

The other three hear the commotion, quieting down and listening intensely.

“We’re fine, but are you guys done with the call at Mami’s work?”

Buck looks around at the others in confusion, everyone shaking their heads. “How-how do you know where we are?”

“Uncle Chim’s on the line with Aunt Maddie. She said you guys are the closest units to Doheny Park. The place is burning up and no one’s there!”

Bobby comes up, grabbing Eddie’s phone and taking charge. “Jax, we’re on our way. Tell me what’s going on.” He waves for everyone to follow.

Buck gives Kelsey a quick hug, apologizing for the quick exit.

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Jax hangs up after giving Bobby all the information, watching the news with Uncle Chimney as that neighborhood continues to burn.

“ Shit, that hydrant is useless.” Chim thinks out loud, pacing in place. “They need water, they need backup… That’s it!” He scrambles to dial someone. “Hey, Tommy! Yeah, it’s me Howie. You still with the 217?”

Jax feels useless, flipping his phone in his hands. Chim notices him, grabbing a pen and paper to write something down. Glancing over, it says “Gas Company” followed by a phone number and the words “Get Shut Off” underlined.

Jax nods, dialing the number. “This is Firefighter Evan Buckley,” He finds himself saying as they answer, Chimney giving him a strange look. “I’m at the scene of Doheny Park where there are multiple fires and a mainline break. I need all the gas shut off in a…” He glances at Chimney, who holds up two fingers. “In a two mile radius, now!”

He gets the affirmative on the other line and hangs up, hands shaking a little. 

“Holy shit, that was so cool.”

“That it was, buddy.” Uncle Chimney gives him a high five, clapping him on the back. “Awesome,” Chimney turns his attention back to his phone. “I’ll owe you one, man. Thanks again.” He hangs up, turning to Jax. “Also, I’m pretty sure impersonating a firefighter is a crime, so don’t tell your dads. Or your mom. Or anyone, really.”

Jax pretends to zip his mouth shut. “People say I sound like my dad on the phone all the time. Who were you calling?” Jax is pretty sure he’s never heard of the 217, and he knows almost all of the firehouses in the area thanks to his dad.

Chimney smirks. “Someone much, much cooler than us.”

There’s a commotion on the screen, and the two of them spin around to watch as the ladder on the 118 truck breaks, someone barely holding on as they swing. Jax looks closer and sees Buckley written on the back of the turnout gear. 

“Dad!”

Chimney grips his shoulders. “What the…” They watch intensely as his dad jumps the rest of the way down, talking to someone, probably Bobby, and gesturing wildly.

“And it looks like someone is on the roof of the house!” The news anchor exclaims.

The camera zooms in and they see Diaz written across the back.

“Papi!”

Chimney swears behind him, getting on his phone again. Jax thinks he hears him say something about bracing for impact. He doesn’t listen though, the sound of his heart pounding in his ears drowns out all other sounds.

People on the ground start scrambling under the trucks with Eddie still in the house. “What are they doing?! Papi’s still in there, he needs help!”

“And he’s about to get it. Get ready to see the 217.”

Jax stands there frozen in disbelief as a supertanker that’s normally used during the wildfires appears, dumping thousands of gallons of water down on the neighborhood and quenching the flames.

There’s a pause, then Eddie comes staggering out of the front door carrying a kid. Jax releases the breath he didn’t know he was holding.

“See? What did I say, kid?” Chimney pulls him in, giving him a big hug. “We always got each other’s backs.”

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Eddie is sore. His whole back feels like one big bruise, and when Buck took a peek as they were changing, he said that’s what it looks like too. After the day they had, he’s ready to crawl into bed with Buck and sleep for the next two days. Unfortunately, they have to pick up Jax from Chimney’s first. Luckily, this is the only pick up they have to do, Carla having already picked up Chris from his friend’s birthday party.

Buck gives him a concerned look, pausing before opening his car door. “You know, you can stay here while I go get Jax if your back hurts too much.”

“Nah, it’s fine. Walking and stretching are helping it anyway.” That’s a lie, and judging by the look on Buck’s face, he isn’t buying it. “Look, today was rough, and Chris is already in bed at home, and I need at least one hug from one of our kids today.”

Buck nods in understanding, getting out of the car. “Fine, but maybe take the elevator this time, Spiderman?”

Eddie chuckles, shaking his head. “You’re never gonna let me live that down, are you?”

Buck loops his arm through his, careful not to touch his back. “I can see it now, we’ll be old, and senile, and drooling into cups, and yet, I’ll still remember the time Bobby gave you a lecture for doing something reckless.”

Eddie feels his face flush at the closeness and the idea of being with Buck when they’re old, hoping most of it is covered from his already red face from the heat of the house fire. Feeling confident, Eddie uses his free hand to reach across and hold Buck’s hand that’s looped through his arm. “I’m sure you know that lecture well, Bobby having to give it to you twenty times a week.”

Buck grins, resting his hand on top of Eddie’s. “I guess that means I’m just a bad influence on you.”

Eddie hesitates. This is getting dangerously close to flirting territory. Instead of continuing, he just smiles and lets his arms drop back to his sides. There’s a definite shift in the air as they silently make the rest of the way up to Chimney’s apartment, neither one of them knowing what to say.

The knock on the door is loud, piercing through the silence, and then it’s all noise as soon as the door opens. There’s a flash of someone swinging the door open, then Eddie oofs as it feels like he’s tackled in the chest.

“Papi!”

A shiver of happiness shoots through him at the name, Eddie immediately hugging him back. “Whoa, mijo. Relax.” The name slips out without him realizing it, and he glances up at Buck and Chim for guidance.

They’re both smiling, watching as Jax hangs on like a limpet. “We saw your parkour act on the news.” Chimney fills them in. “Was the kid you pulled out okay?”

Eddie kisses the top of Jax’s head, running a hand through his hair. “Some minor smoke inhalation, but he’ll make a full recovery. Our ladder truck on the other hand…”

Chimney winces. “Yeah, we saw that too. Shoulder okay, Buckaroo?”

Buck stretches his shoulder, wincing slightly. “Just sore. I was just lucky it didn’t rip out of the socket. Alright, Jax, give Papi a break and go grab your bag.” Buck shoots Eddie a quick grin, showing he doesn’t mind the title change.

Jax doesn’t notice, letting go of Eddie and giving Buck a quick hug too. “I’m glad you’re okay too, Dad.” Eddie’s sure that’s only meant for Buck, given the quiet volume, so he pretends he doesn’t notice.

“You know,” Chimney whispers, the three of them watching Jax collect his stuff. “I think the dispatch stuff runs in the family. You should have seen the way he stayed calm under pressure, kid’s a natural.”

“He’s a Buckley,” Eddie claps Buck on the back, squeezing his shoulder. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Buck reaches up, squeezing his hand. “He’s even better because he’s a Buckley and a Diaz.”

Eddie smiles in pride, unable to look away from Buck. They both hold on longer than they should. In fact, Eddie can feel the stare Chimney is giving the two of them, but neither one of them want to be the first to pull away.

It’s the arrival of Jax that finally snaps them out of whatever moment they were having, Buck throwing his arm around Jax’s shoulders.

“There he is. Ready to go, Firefighter Buckley?”

Jax freezes, glancing between the two and then looking back at Chimney in betrayal. Chimney holds up his hands. “Don’t look at me, kid. I didn’t say anything.”

Eddie waves Chimney goodbye, dropping a hand on top of Jax’s head as the three make their way to the elevator. “The strangest thing happened. Bobby told Jones to call the gas company to get the lines shut off, but when he did he was informed that a Firefighter Evan Buckley had already called them from the scene.”

“And yet,” Buck continues on, leaning in a little closer. “I don’t seem to have any memory of calling the gas company. I wonder why that is.”

Jax shrugs, looking down at the ground as they wait for the elevator. Eddie glances at Buck over his head with a sigh. “You’re not in trouble, kid. How about next time you just let us know you called so we don’t have to.” 

Jax looks up through his lashes, the same kicked puppy look that Buck makes that Eddie can’t resist. “Really?”

“Really.” Buck says, rubbing his back before letting his arm drop. “We’re proud of the way you handled everything today.”

Once they get home, Eddie is relieved to finally be able to crawl into bed and officially say goodbye to this awful day. Despite being a back sleeper normally, he gingerly lays down on his side to give his back a break. He stares at Buck’s silhouetted profile in bed, unable to fall asleep now that he’s laying down.

The bed shifts as Buck turns on to his side, facing Eddie. “Can’t sleep either?” He whispers.

Eddie shakes his head. “I’ve been exhausted all day, but now that I’m in bed-”

“It’s like your mind won’t shut up?” Buck finishes with a wry grin. “Same here, man.”

“What’re you thinking about?” Eddie knows what he’s thinking about. His mind flooded with more and more thoughts about how much he wants to kiss Buck, about the cute way Buck furrows his brows when he’s confused, how he wants to hug, and hold, and never let go of Buck.

He is helplessly in love with his best friend, and he has no idea what that means for their future.

“I, uh… I was thinking about you, actually.”

Eddie’s heart jumps to his throat, briefly wondering if Buck somehow gained telepathy at some point. “Me?” He repeats like an idiot.

“Yeah…” Buck chuckles in that way he does when he’s nervous. “I- I kinda freaked out when you radioed from that house that you were trapped. I was even planning on jumping from the ladder to the roof with an extinguisher to help you out before we got the call that CalFire was coming in with the assist.” Buck pauses, slowly sliding his hand across the space between them to grip Eddie’s wrist. “Eddie, I-” His voice cracks. “I don’t know what I would do without you, and when faced with that possibility, I was really, really, scared.”

“Buck…”

Buck shakes his head, sniffing and clearing his throat. “You know what, forget I said anything, I’m just tired-”

“Buck,” Eddie repeats, a little firmer.

“-And you know, they say an exhausted brain is indistinguishable from a drunk one, so that was just me being over dramatic-”

“ Evan.” Eddie stresses, resting a hand on Buck’s cheek. That finally gets his attention, his mouth shutting with an audible click. “I can’t lose you either.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

They’ve been getting steadily closer, foreheads nearly touching and their breaths mingling with one another. Eddie glances down at the lips he’s been daydreaming kissing for a while now, giving Buck a chance to pull away.

They’re first kiss is probably one of the most innocent kisses Eddie has ever had, just a simple press of their lips, and yet…

Eddie leans back breathless, at a complete loss for words. “Wow,” Is all he manages, caressing Buck’s cheek with his thumb.

Buck reaches up, interlocking their fingers, similarly out of breath. “You can say that again.”

“Wow.” He repeats, grinning when Buck snorts.

Their legs tangle together under the sheets as they rest their foreheads against one another. “I can’t believe I’m going to kiss you again, you dork.”

Eddie huffs out a laugh. “I mean, you don’t have to.”

“No, I’m gonna.” Buck lets go of his hand so he can reach up and grip the back of his neck, pulling him into a deeper kiss this time.

Chapter Text

Buck is happy. He’s happier than he has been in a long time if he’s honest.

Waking up the next morning curled up in Eddie’s embrace isn’t anything new for them, cuddling having become just a thing they did that was established pretty early on. They just usually never talked about it. Until now.

If it were just them that would be one thing, but they have Jax and Chris to think about. Anything Buck and Eddie do involve them too. 

“Would it though?” Eddie asks, laying on his stomach and resting his head on Buck’s arm. He has one arm slung across Buck’s chest and Buck didn’t know laying in bed with someone can feel this comfortable, this normal.

“I mean, yeah? They’re our kids.”

“Exactly. Our kids. We told Bobby how we’re already a united front on the parenting aspect. We already live together, share a room and a bed together-”

When Eddie lays it all out like that… “Oh my God, we’ve been dating this whole time.”

Eddie chuckles, sitting up on an elbow to hover over Buck. “Except now I can do this,”

Buck smiles into the kiss as Eddie leans down, his eyes shutting without him realizing. His eyes flutter open as Eddie leans back slightly. “I like that.”

“Yeah?” Eddie asks with a nod.

“Yeah.”

With a grin, Buck reaches up and pulls Eddie down in a deeper kiss, earning a groan.

“Dad, we can’t find Chris’s- Shit, sorry!”

Buck and Eddie jerk back as the door slams shut, faces red. 

“Language!” They both yell out instinctively.

There’s a muffled “Sorry!” Through the door. Eddie only buries his face into Buck’s chest, Buck running a hand through his hair and kissing the top of his head. 

“Well, look on the brightside. We don’t have to worry about telling the kids now.” Buck tries to joke, wishing the ground would open up and swallow them.

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The ride to work was spent with Buck having one hand on the wheel and the other firmly in Eddie’s hand.

“So…” Eddie starts, fiddling with Buck’s fingers.

“So,” Buck repeats, glancing at him as he stops at a red light. Eddie still can’t believe how much has changed in such a short time.

“What should we say when we get to work? We have to tell Bobby, don’t we?”

“Probably? But with the others I have a better idea.” Eddie isn’t sure if he should be concerned by the way Buck smirks at him.

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Eddie was right to be concerned. Not about Bobby, he was understanding, and Eddie isn’t sure what to think when he waves them into his office and already has the relationship disclosure paperwork for them ready to go.

No, Buck, as usual, wants to screw with the rest of the team and Eddie is all for it. 

They spend the next few shifts being just a little too close from time to time. Nothing that can be considered inappropriate for work, they don’t want to risk their jobs for this prank, but they make sure to up the lingering touches and stares, earning them looks from Hen and eye rolls from Bobby.

The best is when Chimney returns from his medical leave. 

During the little celebration, Eddie leaned against Buck’s shoulder the whole time. That in itself isn’t too strange, but when Buck holds out his fork full of cake to him, Eddie opens his mouth and lets Buck feed him.

Eddie can feel Chimney’s stare as he studies them, but he doesn’t say anything.

Later in the morning, while Eddie is pouring a cup of coffee, Buck slides up behind him and reaches up to get a granola bar out of the cupboard. Buck rests a hand on his shoulder, and Eddie leans back into it slightly. 

“Hi.” Eddie smiles at him.

Buck squeezes his shoulder, thumbing his neck. “Hi.”

They both have to fight back their laughter as they hear Chim and Hen furiously whispering to each other.

00000000000

Everything is great until the afternoon, when everything seems to go wrong. First it starts with Eddie getting a call from the school that Christopher is in the nurse’s office puking his little guts out. There's been a stomach bug making its rounds at the school and it seems he finally fell victim to it. Then as Eddie is on the phone with the school, Buck gets a call from Carla that her son and husband are sick with the flu and she can't get the kids. Calling around, both the kids’ moms can't pick them up because of work, but luckily Eddie’s aunt is off today so she can get them.

Buck and Eddie swap phones, Eddie coordinating with Pepa and Buck giving permission to the school that she can pick up Jax as well.

“Josephina Diaz.” Buck repeats, rolling his eyes at Eddie. “Yeah, she's his aunt too.” He pauses, listening to the other end. “Yes, I'll be sure to update his information as soon as I can. Okay, thank you.”

Finally done, they hang up and collapse on the couch with a groan.

Hen pats them on the shoulders in solidarity, Denny having had the flu last week.

The day goes from bad to worse when they get called to their last call of the evening. Hen gets locked in a bank vault, then collapses. They spend hours worrying about her, and nerve agents, and then when they finally make it back to the station, the cops show up.

They are allowed to change into their civilian clothes, but are ordered to not speak to one another and are all taken to the station directly after.

Buck’s relieved that he was able to be in the squad car with Eddie, even if they can’t talk to each other. When they arrive at the station, they are greeted by Athena, Maddie, and the bank manager.

“Can someone please explain what’s going on?” Buck finally asks as he sits down in the room they were all sent to.

“Our son is home sick and we just want to go be with him.” Eddie cuts in, trying to be diplomatic.

The detective's hardened face softens as she sighs. “The best I can do is take one of you back first.”

Buck gestures for Eddie to go, who tries to argue with Buck. “No, I can wait. Christopher will want you.” Buck says firmly. “I'll stop at the store on my way home and pick up some seven-up and oyster crackers.”

Eddie looks like he wants to push back still, but it's a testament to how tired he is that he already gives up. “Fine, just try to be quick? I know Chris will want his Buck.”

“I’ll be in and out.” Buck smiles, squeezing his hand. Eddie squeezes back, giving him a quick kiss before getting up to follow the detective.

Chimney hisses “I knew it!” Quietly to Hen next to him, but Buck doesn't care about the stupid prank anymore. Not when he knows Chris is at home not feeling good, and Eddie and him can’t be there to comfort him. He just pushes down the panic he feels growing and focuses on the warm weight of Bobby’s hand resting on his shoulder.

0000000000

It’s after midnight by the time Eddie gets home. The police were annoyingly thorough on Eddie’s financial history, and he’s sure they’re going to be just as thorough with Buck. Honestly, between a full time job and raising two kids, Eddie has no idea how they think him and Buck would even have the time to plan a bank heist as complicated as this one.

As he walks in, he spies Jax and Chris asleep on the couch, and Pepa walks out of the kitchen to greet him.

“Hola, Tía, thanks again. Buck and I tried to find someone else, but today has been nuts, and Bobby was already short-staffed-” He whispers.

She waves him off, giving him a hug and kiss on the cheek. “I don’t mind. I know you boys are trying your best.” She whispers back. “Where is Buck?”

Eddie sets his bag down, checking on Chris over the back of the couch. “Taking his turn being interviewed. He said he’d pick up some stuff for Chris on his way home.”

Jax starts to stir, eyes blinking open. “Papi… Where’s Dad?”

Eddie runs a hand through his hair, dropping a kiss on top of his head. “Still at the police station. He’ll be home soon.”

Jax nods, eyes squeezing shut. Without hesitation, Eddie grabs the bucket next to Chris and moves it just in time for Jax to throw up.

Eddie rubs his back, holding the bucket steady. “It’s okay, just let it out.” Jax just groans. “I know. Why don’t you go lay down and I’ll come check on you in just a minute.”

With another nod, Jax gets up slowly and heads off to his room, Pepa giving him a hug as he passes.

“And another one bites the dust,” Eddie sighs. It was inevitable, back when Eddie was a kid if one of his siblings got sick, they all got sick.

“I got this. Go get him settled.” Pepa takes the bucket from him, not giving him a chance to say no.

“Thank you.” He kisses her cheek, grabbing a spare bucket from the kitchen and heading to Jax’s room.

0000000000

Working together, they get both the kids settled in their beds. Chris had vaguely woken up at one point, but luckily didn’t get sick again and Eddie was able to just carry him to his bed where he fell back asleep.

Exhausted, Eddie is surprised to find his aunt still here, making a pot of tea. “You don’t need to stay. Buck will be home soon, he just texted me that he’s on his way out.” He collapses into his seat at the breakfast bar.

“I can wait.” She sets the mug in front of him. “How are you doing, Sobriño?”

Eddie huffs a laugh, taking a sip. “I have two sick kids and the police think our team robbed a bank.”

“Did you?” 

Eddie chokes on his tea, coughing to clear his throat. “Tía!”

She shrugs. “What? You boys could use the money.”

“Yes, because between school projects and putting out fires, Buck and I planned an elaborate bank heist.”

She finally cracks, smiling at him. “And how are you and Buck?” She asks more seriously.

Eddie freezes, a spike of anxiety shooting through him. Denial is on the tip of his tongue, but then she grabs his hand across the counter and he pauses. “Is that… Okay?” He asks softly, a flush creeping up his neck.

No hesitation, she walks around the island and wraps her arms around his shoulders. “Of course, baby.”

Eddie bites his lip, leaning into her touch. Him and Buck haven’t exactly spoken much about telling others about their relationship. He hesitates even thinking about calling it coming out, the term feeling like something a teenager does, not Eddie who’s in his thirties. He doesn’t even know if he’s gay like Hen or bi like Buck, he just knows he’s happy right now.

He swallows, mouth feeling dry. “We- we’re really happy. I- I think I might… He has my back, and I have his.” He settles on.

Pepa kisses the top of his head. “That’s all we want for you.” She rubs his back, and he feels like when he was a kid and would get into a fight with one of his sisters. His dad would be gone for work, and his mom would always take his sisters’ sides, saying he needed to be the man of the house. He would sneak out of his window and ride his bike to her house where she would just hold him and they would watch telenovelas together until his mom called looking for him.

“We?” He repeats, his heart starting to pound as the words finally sinking in. He hasn’t talked to his parents in months, the last time being a few short words on Christmas before he passed the phone off to Christopher.

“Your abuela.” She assures him, sensing his anxiety. “My mother adores your Buck. I think she wants to give him all of her recipes.”

Eddie snorts. “Buck still holds out hope for Chris. He says that Jax and I are hopeless.”

“You two… have other strengths.” She settles on.

Eddie laughs again, leaning into her. He feels all of thirteen and just wants to curl up in the safety of her arms again.

“Te quiero.” She whispers, running a calming hand through his hair.

Eddie blinks, tears gathering in his eyes. “Creo…” He swallows the lump forming in his throat. “Creo que… lo amo.”

I think I love him.  

He said it. He said it and the world didn’t end. The clock in the kitchen is still ticking away and Pepa is still holding him like she always has, and he finally said the words aloud.

They’ve only been together officially for a week, and yet Eddie can picture a future with Buck. He can see them buying a house, and he wants to wake up next to him every morning and kiss him every moment of the day.

He loved Shannon, and a part of him always will, but loving Buck is this all encompassing thing that it feels like his heart is going to burst.

He smiles, tears falling now. “I love him.” The second time is easier, and now all he wants to do is shout it from the rooftops. “I love him, so much.”

Pepa pulls back slightly with a warm smile, wiping his tears with her thumbs and kissing his forehead. “I’m so happy for you, mi niño.”

000000000

The robbery is quickly solved, all of them cleared of any involvement. The kids bounce back pretty quickly too, the bug just being a twenty-four hour thing. The only thing that isn’t normal is the large Bobby shaped hole missing from the firehouse.

Interim Captain Han is a walking nightmare. He makes Eddie’s past drill sergeants in the army seem like preschool teachers in comparison.

Shannon laughs at that, hitting him on the arm. “Stop, he can’t be that bad.”

Eddie rolls his eyes, watching Buck help Christopher build a sandcastle. “The guy’s a menace. He’s completely let the power get to his head.”

After only two shifts under the reign of Han, Buck declared their next day off a family beach day. Kelsey was the only one to take a raincheck, claiming to hate sandy beaches with a passion. 

The only two really having fun anyway are Chris and Buck. Eddie played in the water for a short time, but decided to go back to the towels to chat with Shannon. Jax has been the average teenager, hiding under a towel some paces away from the rest of them with a book.

“You seem lighter.” Shannon comments with a smile. “Buck’s been good for you.” When Eddie had told her about them dating, he had been worried it would shift the careful balancing act they’ve constructed over the past few months, but it ended up being the exact opposite. She had done what Eddie is now realizing is the usual hugging and “I’m proud of you”s that people give him when he tells them that he’s dating a guy, but then she smirked and started in on the “I told you so”s. The teasing seemed to melt the last of the tension between the two’s failed marriage and they’re finally back to that friendship stage they were in back before they started dating in high school.

“Yeah, he’s pretty great.” Eddie ducks his head, fiddling with his nails. “I, uh, I told Tia Pepa about us the other night. She was thrilled.”

“Yeah? What about the rest of your family?”

“Tia says that abuela is just counting down the days until Buck is officially part of the family so he can get all her recipes. As for my parents…” Eddie shrugs. “They’re all the way back in Texas, and I barely talk to them anyway.”

Shannon sits up, staring down at him. “You’re gonna have to come out to them eventually. Things will get a little awkward down the line when ten years later and you’re still living with “Best friend Buck”.”

Eddie groans, flopping down on his back and covering his face with his hands. “I hate that term.” He grumbles, throwing his hands down and staring at the sky. “Coming out implies I was hiding, but I wasn’t. I literally thought I was straight up until I saw Buck laughing one day and thought, “Wow, I really want to kiss him.” out of the blue.” 

He pauses, letting himself imagine how his parents would react when he told them he was dating a guy. “They aren’t homophobic.” He defends them out loud, pretty sure of that fact. He remembers how his mom would sneer at protesters when he was a kid, and one time when Sophia was going through a tomboy phase and his parents sat her down to give the ‘We’ll love you no matter what’ speech. “No, they’d be fine with that. I just… with the way they treated you, I don’t want them to put Buck through that too. He had a hard enough time with his own parents growing up, I don’t want to throw mine into the mix too. Hell, we haven’t even gone on one official date yet.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re being an idiot.”

Eddie scoffs, rolling his eyes. “Gee, thanks.”

“What I mean is that you’re falling into old habits from back when we were together. Talk to Buck, give him the option to face your parents instead of making the decision for him.”

Eddie chuckles dryly. “Be a partner, not a provider?”

“Exactly.”

Eddie sighs, resting back on his arms. “I'll work on it. Now, what about you? Anything new going on?”

“Work's been alright.” She ducks her head, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. 

Eddie smirks as he recognizes when she's embarrassed. “What's his name?”

Her face goes red. “I don't-”

“C'mon.” He knocks his knuckles against her knee. “I can tell when you have a crush. You've heard me gush all about Buck, let me return the favor.”

A grin slowly grows on her face as she grabs her phone. “Fine, Mr. Pushy. His name is Erik and he's a friend from work.”

“A friend huh?” He teases.

“Shut up.” She laughs, tilting her phone to show him a picture of a group of people, Shannon in the front. “He's the one in the back with the brown hair and gray shirt. We’ve been friends for a while and he asked if I wanted to go get coffee with him this weekend.”

“What’d you say?”

“I, uh, I said I’d think about it.”

“C’mon, what’s there to think about? You clearly like the guy, and he’s not exactly hard on the eyes.”

She snorts at the last part, and even Eddie has a hard time keeping a straight face. 

“Shush, I’m trying to be supportive.” He finally cracks.

“A little too supportive.” She jokes. “You know, I’ve always wanted a gay best friend, I just didn’t realize he’d also be my ex-husband.”

Eddie weighs that term in his head, still not sure what label he wants to use. “Will you settle for an ‘ambiguously queer, but definitely dating a man’ best friend?”

She hums, pretending to think it over. “It doesn’t quite roll off the tongue the same way, but I guess it will work for now.”

“Good, so call him.”

000000000000000

That day at the beach got Eddie thinking. What label should he use for himself? Buck already established he was bi before they even started dating, and Hen and Karen mentioned once that they are one hundred percent lesbians. He really only dated Shannon before Buck, so does that mean he’s bi? But before Buck he never even entertained the idea of dating another guy.

Although, before Shannon, he didn’t entertain the idea of dating a girl much either. Sure, he would play along with the guys on the baseball team in high school whenever they talked about some girl being hot because he knew that was what was expected of him, but he never really saw the appeal. When Shannon asked him out, and all his friends pushed him to say yes, he figured he could at least hang out with his friend from middle school and then say it didn’t work out.

He was shocked when he ended up having a great time, and their dates grew more serious until before he knew it he was taking her to prom, and meeting her parents, and then long drives that turned into more. He really thought they were happy up until the end of summer where she told him she was pregnant. After that, they had a quick and small wedding at the church with their parents before she started showing too much.

After Christopher was born, it was a whirlwind of providing for them both, and signing up for an extra tour when they found out about Christopher’s diagnosis, and then getting shot, and then her leaving, and then his parents getting a little too involved… 

Raising Christopher on his own in LA, training for the fire academy, he never bothered letting himself think about dating again. With Shannon gone, he liked the idea of having Christopher as a shield against all the questions for why he didn’t want to date.

But then Buck came into his life, freshly broken up and having a son of his own, and Eddie couldn’t help but be drawn to him. Maybe him spontaneously asking Buck to move in with him was his subconscious telling him he was into him or something?

Either way, he only has a sample size of two and he has no idea what any of it means, which is why he relays all of this to Bobby, hoping he can give some insight.

“Well? What do you think?” Eddie asks, slumping down into one of Bobby’s dining room chairs after pacing, careful not to bump any of the wedding planning stuff Bobby has spread across it.

Bobby blinks at him, having sat patiently as he listened to Eddie’s entire monologue. “I think,” He says slowly. “That I only asked if I should go for floral arrangement A or B, but this is clearly something that’s been bothering you for a while now. Why is that? Is Buck bothering you about it, because I-”

Eddie sighs, throwing his head back. “No, no, Buck’s been great. He’s been fantastic, hasn’t even brought it up. It’s been strictly a me thing.”

“If it’s not an issue, then why is picking a label so important to you? There must be some reason you’re stressing yourself out so much about this.”

“I don’t know.” Eddie shrugs, sitting up and crossing his arms, then slumping down in his chair again. “I guess- Hen and Karen have a sticker of the lesbian flag on their cars, and Buck changed his facebook profile picture to have the bi flag bordering it as soon as he came out, and then… there’s just me. By dating Buck, I’m in a same-sex relationship that makes me part of this- this community that they’re already a part of, and without a label like them, I just feel like I’m pretending, that I don’t really belong there with them.”

“Let me ask you this, you care about Buck, maybe even love him, correct?”

Eddie nods. “I do love him, and I know he loves me too. We have a family together that we love.”

Bobby smiles, nodding. “Okay, good. Now, do you think your relationship is incomplete by you not having some type of label? That you would love him more by having some sort of label?”

“What? No, of course not. I told you, the problem is me.”

“Eddie,” Bobby leans forward, resting a hand on his arm. “If you love him, and he loves you, then there is no problem. You need to quit being so hard on yourself, and just let yourself enjoy this. Who cares what others think, the only two people in the relationship are you and Buck. And if this really does keep bothering you, talk to Buck about it. You know he likes going on research binges, I bet he could help you find a label that feels right to you.”

Eddie nods, finally feeling like he can breathe again. “Thanks Bobby, I will.”

Bobby grins, clapping his hands. “Glad I could help. Now! A, or B?”

Eddie snorts, standing up. “Sorry, Cap, I may be dating a man, but even I’m not that gay.” He pats him on the shoulder as he passes. “And even if I were, I gotta go pick up the kids from their Abuelita’s.”

Bobby laughs, waving him off. “It was worth a shot. See you later, say hi to Chris and Jax for me.”

“Will do.”

00000000000

It’s crazy, Buck thinks, that it only takes one call to make a day go from normal to flipping everything upside down.

One minute him and Eddie are checking out the condition of a driver that had a medical emergency behind the wheel, and the next that same driver is asking about some couple that were in the crosswalk.

Buck spots them first, a man bleeding out and a woman crying over him. Shannon to be specific.

Eddie’s moving before Buck has a chance to fully process the scene, running up to Shannon.

“Shit, Shannon, are you-”

“I’m fine!” She shoves him off. “It’s Erik- he noticed the car and shoved me out of the way. Please, Eddie, you have to help him!”

“Okay. Hen, I need some help over here!” He turns to Buck. “Buck, can you-”

Buck nods, already knowing what he wants. Even with his basic EMT training, he can tell this doesn’t look good for Shannon’s friend. “Hey, hey, Shannon, let’s give them some space to work, yeah?” He reaches out for her, trying to get her to look away.

“Buck?” She blinks at him, noticing him for the first time.

“That’s right, I’m right here. Listen, Eddie and Hen are going to do everything they can, okay? Let’s focus on you for a second. Are you hurt?”

She shakes her head, gripping his forearms. “N-no, I’m fine. I- I don’t- it all just happened so fast. Please, is he…”

Buck, unsure what to do, pulls her into a hug. With her face buried in his chest, he takes this chance to glance at Eddie and Hen with a questioning look.

They are getting the man in a c-collar and onto a backboard, but when Eddie meets his eyes he subtly shakes his head.

The rest happens so fast, Buck barely registers it. Eddie is calling over Shannon, letting her ride in the back of the ambulance with them, while Hen starts to say something about needing to intubate before Chimney cuts her off with a shake of his head. He instead just orders her to start driving, while him and Buck will stay behind to finish processing the scene.

“He’s not gonna make it, is he?” Buck asks, watching Hen flip on the sirens and drive away.

Chimney takes a deep breath, looking about two seconds from falling apart. “I know protocol is to intubate, but I figured she deserved a chance to say goodbye.”

Buck nods, resting a hand on Chim’s shoulder. “You did the right thing. I- uh… I’m gonna call Bobby to meet them at the hospital. Shannon will probably wanna go home after, and I don’t think either of them want to ride with some random Uber driver.” It’s already a given that Eddie will have the rest of the time off to be with Shannon, but the rest of them still have a few hours left of their shift.

0000000000000

It’s dark out by the time Buck gets home, his shift having gone over due to a pile-up on I-5. He tries to creep in as quietly as he can.

The only light is from the TV where Eddie is playing some video game with his headphones on. He already changed for the night and pulled the sofa out into a bed, so he must have just been killing time waiting for Buck. The gesture is sweet, and makes Buck realize outside of Jax, no one has ever done this for him before.

He reaches over the couch, hugging Eddie from behind and kissing his cheek. The game is forgotten as Eddie takes off his headphones and turns to kiss Buck properly.

“Hey, you didn’t have to wait up.” Buck whispers.

“Is it cliche to say that I can't sleep without you?” Eddie grins, bags under his eyes.

“Extremely.” Buck jokes, giving him one more kiss. He only says it because he knows he's the same way now. “How's Shannon?”

Eddie sighs, gripping one of Buck’s arms. “About as you'd expect. Christopher is with her giving Mommy extra special cuddles. They both fell asleep about thirty minutes ago. Thanks for calling Bobby, by the way. He went full Dad mode and made us dinner. There’s leftovers in the fridge.”

After the day they had, they both don’t feel like being alone. Buck is grateful that Eddie sticks close to him as he eats, chatting about random things to keep their minds off the terrible thing they witnessed today. 

As they both settle on the sofa bed for the night, Buck holds Eddie close and runs a hand through his hair as Eddie’s head rests on his chest.

“He died on the way to the hospital.” Eddie whispers, cutting through the silence and gripping Buck’s shirt. “This was their first date. They’ve liked each other for a while, and just when he gets the nerves to ask her out…”

Buck swallows, kissing the top of Eddie’s head. “Life’s too short.” He says, thinking of the others they have lost on calls; the guy proposing on the escalator, then fell through and died, the older couple who just wanted to go together and then did in the end.

“I love you.” Eddie sits up slightly. “I- I know we haven’t officially been together that long. We haven’t been on a date, just the two of us, or hell, we haven’t even had sex yet, but- but I love you, so much, and the idea of losing you scares the shit out of me.” Eddie pauses, his brain seemingly catching up with his mouth. “I’m sorry, you don’t have to-”

Buck cuts him off with a deep kiss, only separating when the need for air becomes too great. Even then, he rests his forehead against Eddie’s, not wanting to pull away from him. “I love you, too. I promise, I will do everything in my power to stay with you as long as you do the same.”

Eddie pulls away, leaving Buck cold. The next thing he knows, Eddie’s reaching behind himself and unhooking his necklace, then leaning forward to hook it around Buck’s neck. He tucks it under Buck’s shirt, tapping his chest where the necklace rests.

“Wha- Eddie, what are you-” Buck knows how much the necklace means to Eddie. Months ago, they were laying in bed together when Eddie told him the full story behind the necklace, how the St. Christopher pendant was the only thing that kept him going when his helicopter was shot down and he thought he was going to die in that desert. “I can’t-”

This time Eddie cuts him off with a kiss. “I’ll want it back, eventually, but in the meantime you have to stick around with it, you hear me? You can’t leave.”

Buck reaches up, clasping Eddie’s hand. “I hear you.”