Work Text:
Christopher Diaz Buddie Bingo Square
Christopher Diaz didn't understand adults sometimes. It was always "Oh it's ok honey, it's an adult thing" or "We will tell you when you're older." His dad usually tries to explain things to him that aren't in adult terms, but lately he's been snappish and grumpy.
What Chrisotpher didn't know is that Eddie Diaz is the king of sucking it up and sometimes it festers inside him until he snaps. The ten year old just thought his dad is tired from his long shift as a firefighter, and doesn't bother him unless his dad asks for it.
His dad's best friend and his best friend, Evan "Buck" Buckley, is also a bit down, but he always smiles and laughs with him. Like right now, they are playing video games as his dad sits there, staring off into space.
"Dad! I wanna play against you!" Christopher says, when the round they were playing ended.
Eddie still hasn't replied after a few minutes, when Buck's eyes narrow and he turns to Christopher, "Hey buddy, your dad isn't feeling too well. Why don't you go play in your room for a bit and then we can read a story before bedtime," Buck says, when Christopher nods.
He doesn't use his crutches much in the house so moves toward his room when he decides to stop and watch what is happening.
"Eds, you gotta stop doing this," Buck says, before kneeling before Eddie, placing his hands on the other man's knees. "Eddie!"
His dad reacts finally, looking at Buck surprised. "What?" he snaps, when Buck just rolls his eyes.
"You zoned out again, and don't think I haven't noticed your short temper. Chris has too, so whatever is going on, we are gonna talk about it," Buck says fiercely, hands not leaving Eddie.
It is true, Christopher has talked to Buck multiple times, telling him all about school and how his dad snaps at him then apologizes. He has no idea what is going on, and he wishes he could just talk to his dad about how he felt about his most recent brush of death. He didn't want to lose his dad or Buck.
Eddie remains silent again, lips in a thin line. "Do you want me to call Ana?"
Christopher almost groans because he doesn't like when she's over after dad was shot. She always fusses and it makes things worse.
"We broke up," And Chris did not know that but oh well. It just means Buck will be over more and maybe sleep in Dad's bed again.
"Good, so did your parents call and threaten to take Christopher away again?" Buck says, moving Eddie so he's sitting on Buck's lap. Chris loves being on Buck's lap and hopefully Buck's hugs help his dad.
"Told them I broke off with her, that you and I were trying for something more," Christopher silently cheered, "And they went off on how I am a disappointment, I should move Ana in and have her start parenting Christopher. I do not want that because you're his parent."
"So now that you're broken up from a relationship you weren't barely into, you want to try to be with me?" Buck asks, bringing his hand to Eddie's face, making him look at his blue eyes.
Dad wasn't really himself with Ana, and he is always happier with Buck around. Eddie looks down at his best friend, searching his earnest face.
"Yeah, I have been wanting to try for a while and I just let my parents get in my head. I don't want to ruin Christopher's relationship with them, but if they try to sue for custody, that's it, I'm done," Eddie says vehemently.
Christopher can't help but walk back to his dads, "I don't want to talk to them if they want to take me away!" he yells, startling both men. "They treat me like a baby! And they don't listen!"
"Christopher…" Eddie says, before Buck picks him up and takes them to the couch so their son can climb into their laps. "I'm sorry. Your grandparents were really mean to me, and I didn't talk it out."
The fifth grader climbs onto the couch with them, before burrowing in between them for hugs. "I wanna stay with you guys."
Two strongs arms hug him back, when Eddie murmurs, "Don't worry, kid. Athena scared them off. No one speaks about her kid like Grandma and Abuelo did."
"What about Abuelita?" Chris asks, when Buck's chest starts vibrating from laughter.
"I have no idea, but she has been gone for a few days…" Eddie trails when they all realize that Abuela went to Texas. "Oh God, Pepa went also."
The three of them fall into laughter, when Christopher wiggles out and leaves his dads be. Before he goes to his room he asks, "Can I have a sleepover with Denny so you're not cranky anymore?"
The two men groan, and they drop him off at the Wilson's and they get huge hugs and then Christopher forgot all about what happened as he continued playing video games.
Meanwhile, Buck and Eddie returned to the empty house, shedding clothes as they got to the bedroom and made sure they knew they were taken.
Christopher is adopted by Buck six months later, after his dads get married. He's even getting a sibling, much to his grandparents' disdain.
Again, Christopher Diaz didn't understand, nor did he like them kissing but if it got him another dad, a sibling and his dad finally happy, then he would take all the kissing and misunderstandings.
He didn't even have to push them together, because in the end, his grandparents did that. Not that they wanted it.
Holding his sister, he grins at his dad, "I'm glad we found each other," Chris says.
"We are too, Chris, we are too."