Archive of Our Own

‘Thank you, and hope to see you again,’ said Theo, waving to a departing customer.

‘It’s a busy day. Maybe we should start making second batches of some of these,’ said Emily while ladling the food into a take-out container for a waiting delivery boy.

‘I think so too.’ Theo was looking into the containers of cooked food. ‘The stews are going out fast today.’ He nodded to himself and went to the kitchen to sort that out with the cooks.

‘Hey, Auntie.’

She turned to see a boy coming in. ‘Hey, B! How was school?’

‘Bleh!’ Blake grunted as he slumped against the counter. ‘Joan is sick, so I had to pair up with Miss Garcia for PE class. Substitute English teacher has the most boring voice you’ve ever heard and we have tons of math homework.’

‘Ah, to be young…’, Emily laughed. ‘Dad’s in the back, he’ll be out in a minute. Want something?’

‘Just soda, I have to start with that homework. I don’t want to spend all evening on it.’ He rolled his eyes, thanked Emily when she gave him his soda and went to the corner table to sit.

‘Keep an eye on what else is going out fast, so they can start on it in time,’ said Theo as he was coming out of the kitchen.

‘B is back from school.’

Theo spun around, looking for Blake. ‘Oh! He said something?’

‘Just that he was bored and started his homework immediately. How did you manage to get a kid like that? Where do I apply for one?’ she asked him with a smile. ‘I have to raise a voice every single day just to persuade both of mine to start homework.’

‘I don’t know how he turned out like that, but thank God for it! I’m definitely not going to disturb him until he’s done. He said if he was hungry?’ Theo sighed seeing they had three online orders waiting already and started on filling the boxes for take-outs. They continued to talk through taking orders, dealing with customers and the rest of it.

‘Nope, just soda. You know, you did a good job with that kid.’

‘I’m not sure what I did. I was just stumbling in the dark half the time. Still am.’

‘If I ever have another one, you are raising it.’

‘Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I have my hands full as it is. He is twelve and fast turning into a fully developed teenager! He has Oppinions now… and the Attitude! What am I going to do?’

‘And you are still not planning on finding someone?’

‘Emily… who’s gonna hang out with a man who has a teenager son? Anyways, I have him and this restaurant to take care of, like I would have time for anything else.’

‘You aren’t getting any younger, you know?’

‘And what do you mean by that? You saying I look terrible?’

‘No! You are as handsome as ever! You just need to take care of yourself a bit more.’

‘Fine! When you invent a 36-hour day, I’ll take it! With these 24 I barely have time for sleeping.’

It was lunch time, and steady stream of customers was coming through the door. Theo was glad that people liked their food and he wasn’t complaining, but at the time like this, he wished he could employ more people. They’ve been open for a month and it was going well, hopefully in time he will be able to hire some additional workers.

‘How may I heeeee…’ he looked up at the new customer and it was… well, it was ridiculous – the moment he saw that pretty smile, blue eyes and (gulp!) handsome body, it was like in the cartoons – time seemed to go in slow-motion, his ‘e’ stretching for long seconds. He managed to shift into the higher gear (somehow). ‘…elp you?’ He coughed a bit. ‘Sorry, had something in there…’

‘Hi!’ a guy – LAFD firefighter, judging by his T-shirt – said with a smile. ‘We are here for the first time.’ We? Oh, there was another guy with him, dressed the same, and also handsome (although, Theo at the moment was able to focus only on Blue Eyes).

Emily nudged him and whispered ‘Stop drooling!’ into his ear.

‘Um, yes… we are new, opened a month ago. See anything you’d like?’

‘Hm… What would you recommend?’ asked Blue Eyes looking around the trays.

Me?, thought Theo. ‘Well…’

* * *

‘You were definitely drooling all over!’ Emily teased him with a huge smile after the firefighters left.

‘Stop it! I wasn’t…’ He tried sounding cool, but spoiled the effect by absentmindedly wiping his mouth (just in case – but, he wasn’t!).

‘Yes… it wasn’t obvious at all. I personally like the other one more, but I can see the appeal of the blue-eyed one.’

‘He’s cute…’ sighed Theo.

‘And that butt in those pants… phew!’

‘OK, enough! We are not doing this!’

‘We are not doing them, either.’

‘Emily! Stop! You are married and I… and… we have customers waiting!’

‘When you stop drooling!’ She flashed him a wicked smile, and turned to another customer.

* * *

‘Dad, what’s going on?’ Blake asked him over the bowl of soup. Rush hour was calming a bit, so Theo sat down to have lunch with his son.

‘What do you mean?’

‘You have a silly smile on your face and your mind is somewhere else. Who is he?’

‘Who is who? What?’

‘Daaad! You are obviously thinking about someone. Are you going on a date?’

‘Wha… no! Where did that come from? Have you been talking to Emily?’

‘No. But I am not blind and I’m not an idiot. And you should go out, have some fun, find some nice guy. It’s not good for anyone to be alone.’

‘I’m not alone. I’ve got you, Blake.’

‘It’s B, dad. Please!’

‘I’m sorry for that, kiddo. But your mom insisted.’

‘Yes – grandpa was Blake, mom wanted me to be named after him, I know. Just… just call me B, please. And don’t change the subject! I’m your son, but you need a boyfriend. I can’t take care of you all by myself.’

‘I’ve too much on my hands, Bla… B. With the restaurant and moving and your new school, I don’t have time. And I’m supposed to take care of you, young man!’

‘I’m just worried about you, dad.’

‘I know you are, B. But it’s OK, I’m happy. I have the best kid in the world and what more can a guy ask for?’

‘And what if I want a normal family? Huh?! I have a father, but I’d like to have another one! This way I don’t have anyone to team up with when I’m mad at you.’

‘You have me, B!’ said Emily coming to them, hugging Blake and kissing his head.

‘It’s not the same… I know I have you, but he needs a guy in his life.’

‘Now I’ve had enough! I’m going back there to work, and I’ll ignore you both!’ Emily and Blake both made puppy eyes at Theo, who just snorted at them rolling his eyes and went away.

‘There was a firefighter earlier, your dad was drooling all over when he saw him,’ Emily whispered conspiratorially.

‘Really?’ Blake looked hopefully at her.

‘Yup… tall, blond, blue eyes. You were so preoccupied with your homework, you missed him.’

‘Shoot! OK, next time you point him out to me.’

‘If he comes back.’

‘Food here is great… he’ll be back!’

* * *

‘Oh, that one looks OK!’ Theo pointed at Blake’s phone.

‘Dad… we aren’t staying in a motel!’ Blake said, exasperated. ‘It’s only for two nights, we can find a nice B&B for the same price.’

‘OK, it was just a suggestion.’ Theo waved his hands defensively. ‘Find a few places you like, and I look through them.’

Theo stood up, picked their bowls from the adjecent table and turned to go behind the counter. He almost bumped into a customer.

‘Sorry! I…’ He stopped when he recognized the man. It was the firefighter, the other one. ‘Hi! Back so soon?’

‘Yeah… Hi,’ responded the firefighter with a smile. ‘We enjoyed the food the other day and I thought to bring my son for a lunch today. This is Christopher.’

The kid extended his hand. ‘Hi!’

‘Hi, pleasure to meet you. I’m Theo.’ He shook Christopher’s hand.

The firefighter nodded: ‘And I’m Eddie, by the way.’

‘Glad to see you back here, Eddie.’

‘You too have a son?’ Eddie looked at Blake. ‘Sorry, we overheard you two while waiting.’

‘Yes, yes I do. That one there is Blake… but don’t call him that, he hates it. It’s “B” these days.’ He frowned and shook his head, a bit annoyed.

‘Oh, I have a friend like that. He can’t stand his own name.’

‘He’s a teenager too?’ said Theo with an eye-roll.

‘Sometimes seems like that. No, you saw him the other day, that other firefighter I was with. He’s Evan, but insists on Buck. Only his sister is allowed to use the E-name.’

Buck… OK, sounds nice. Better than Blue Eyes, thought Theo.

‘Are you travelling somewhere?’ asked Christopher.

‘Hopefully,’ said Theo with a smile. ‘To San Diego. Blake wants to go to the SeaWorld. So we are planning to drive down there for a weekend… sometime soon.’

‘Wooow!’ Christopher was elated.

Eddie chuckled. ‘This one has been bothering me to go, too. I promised we can go next summer, when the school is over.’

‘Blake loves Marine Biology and wants to study that… if his interest holds until the college. But I owe him a father-son trip, I’ve been so busy with opening this restaurant and even before that, with moving here from Seattle, so we didn’t have much time to be just us.’

‘Awesome!’ wide eyed Christopher said, obviously still thinking about the SeaWorld.

‘Sorry, I’ve been holding you up. Would you like to eat here or have a take-out?’

‘We’ll eat here.’

‘Come, choose anything you like. My treat.’

‘No, we can’t…’

‘Nonsense! I won’t take no for an answer.’

‘Under one condition - would you mind if we joined you two?’

‘No, not at all. Come.’

Theo took their orders. He prepared the plates for them and also for Blake and himself.

‘Go on. Sit there. These are Eddie and Christopher. Guys, my son…’ he sighed, ‘…B.’

‘Blake Davis, pleased to meet you. Just call me B,’ he introduced himself, all smiling and being polite.

‘Your dad says you are going to the SeaWorld. That’s awesome!’ And in a heartbeat they were talking about it, Christopher enjoying every Blake’s word about the aquarium, the sea mammals, the whole thing.

Eddie, seeing that his son forgot about him, turned to Theo and they talked over lunch. ‘Are you a single parent?’

‘Yes. He’s the only family I have. His mother died at childbirth and I’ve been raising him on my own. Actually, that’s why we moved here. He has an aunt, his mother’s sister… that’s her over there, Emily. She’s the only family Blake has besides me, that is – her, her husband and their two children. She was persuading me for the last three years to move here, and I finally caved in. I worked as a chef in restaurants before, but the two of us decided to open this one together. Homecooked meals and such. And, besides, I find that weather here agrees with me much more than the Seattle climate. How about you? You don’t sound like you are from LA.’

‘No, Chris and I moved here from El Paso a few years ago. I have a grandmother and an aunt here, but, actually, I ran away from my parents. They were hovering over me, pointing out every failure I’ve made as a father, and I had enough. My wife and I were separated and it just made sense, you know. How long have you been married to your wife?’

‘Oh, she wasn’t my wife!’

‘No?’

‘No – she was my best friend, since high-school. I’m gay. She was in a terrible, loveless marriage and with my help she got out of it. She always wanted a child, but after her jerk of a husband, she had a hard time getting to meet somebody, to get close to anyone. So she asked me to be her sperm donor and I agreed. I actually wasn’t planning on having a child, but when she died, I couldn’t leave Blake. After all, he was my son. So I took him in, and here we are. Despite everything, he turned out to be the best thing in my life.’

‘And have you… Sorry, I’m asking too much! I’ll stop.’

‘No, don’t. I don’t mind. I suppose you were wondering if I’m seeing someone.’ Eddie nodded. ‘No… Who’d take an almost 40 year old man with a teenager son?... Although, said son has been bothering me to find someone – he said he needs another father so he can run to him when he is mad at me.’

Eddie laughed at that. ‘Oh, nice plan. So, he knows you are gay?’

‘I’ve never kept it from him. He knows how his mother and me had him, he knows he was wanted and he knows that I love him above all. He never saw it as a problem. He even got into a fight or two with homophobic kids in school. Not that I condone his actions,’ Theo’s voice quieted down to a whisper, ‘but I’m actually very proud of him.’

‘I totally get you with dating. I’ve had a similar problem – how to find a woman who’ll understand that me and Christopher are a package deal, and that she’ll have to deal with his CP and my dangerous job and terrible working hours.’

‘Preaching to the choir, man. It’s amazing how many people really don’t get the notion that my child comes first. Once, Blake and I had a… let’s call it a heated discussion and at one point I told him that I’ll find someone in 2028.’

‘Oddly specific. Why then?’

‘He asked me the same thing – that’s when he turns 18 and starts college.’

Eddie laughed. ‘Good plan. Wish you luck in advance.’

They continued eating and chatting, Blake and Christopher now engrossed in some discussion about Marvel movies, God knows what; so the time just flew by.

‘We should go, we’ve taken too much of your time already. Thank you for this excellent lunch.’ said Eddie after some time.

‘You are welcome here any time you want.’

‘Only if you let me pay.’

‘If you insist,’ Theo said with a chuckle.

‘Hey, speaking of dating. We are obviously not each others type,’ Eddie said winking, ‘but kids are having a great time, so how about a play date… or a movie night this Friday? You two can come over. We can order a pizza or something…’

Christopher was nodding enthusiastically. ‘Can Buck come, too?’

‘Sure. The more the merrier. What do you two say?’

Blake looked pleadingly at his dad, nodding vigorously, so there was no choice, really. ‘OK, we’d love to.’

‘OK, then. Friday, around six? Give me your number, I’ll text you the address.’

They exchanged their phone numbers and said their goodbyes, boys already discussing what to watch.

‘Thanks, dad,’ said Blake when Eddie and Christopher were gone.

‘For?’

‘For accepting the invitation. Chris is a cool kid. And maybe Eddie…’ He looked at his dad meaningfully.

‘No. He’s straight.’

‘Maybe if you try being a bit more charming…’

‘B, drop it! Now go wash up. I have work to do and you should go home, homework awaits you.’

‘Yes, dad. As you say, dad. Your wish is my command, dad.’

‘And I could do with less sass, you know.’

Blake just flashed him a smile and rushed to the bathroom.

* * *

‘Be nice. I know that I don’t have to worry, but I’m saying it just in case.’ Theo was driving looking at Blake in the rear mirror.

‘Don’t worry, dad, I won’t embarrass you in front of your friends,’ Blake sounded exasperated a bit.

‘There you go again! I think I should be saying that. Are we doing something wrong here?’

Blake just laughed at his dad. He really was a good kid, never getting into trouble (unless he finds himself defending LGBTQ rights, and Theo was so proud of him for that – still, he shouldn’t resort to punches). Theo reminded him out of habit, but you never know with teenagers. When did he grow up so much? Just yesterday he was a small bundle of cries and chuckles.

‘Dad, stop being soppy! I can see you thinking and your eyes are watering.’

‘It’s allergies!’

‘Oh, yes, definitely… sorry, my mistake.’

‘Keep you sarcasm in check, young man.’

‘Jeez, who did I inherit it from, I wonder?’ Blake rolled his eyes and tapped Theo on the shoulder.

‘Here we are, this should be the house,’ said Theo as they pulled over. ‘Now get out, and don’t forget those cookies.’

Blake took two bags from the back seat and they walked to the door.

Few moments after the knock, the door opened and… oh, dear God!... Buck was smiling at them.

‘Hi, welcome. Pleased to meet you, guys. I’m Buck and I’ll be your gracious co-host for the evening.’

Blake chuckled and extended a hand ‘B… pleased to meet you.’

Buck took his hand looking at him questioningly, ‘Your dad named you after an insect?’

‘And your parents named you after a male deer? Or a rabbit?’ Blake returned the question with a snigger, without a blink or pause.

Buck burst out laughing. Theo was still just staring at a handsome firefighter – and that T-shirt and grey slacks didn’t help take his mind out of a gutter.

‘Well… no one made that comment like ever… and I waited for it for years. Good one, kid.’ He high-fived Blake. ‘It’s Evan Buckley… but please, just Buck.’

‘Oh, makes more sense. I’m Blake… but just B.’

‘Deal. And the silent one over here…?’ he nodded towards Theo.

‘My dad, Theo… say hi to the nice gentleman, dad.’ Blake pushed him with his shoulder a bit.

‘Um, yes, sorry…’ he extended his arm at Buck. ‘Hi… as he said, Theo. And it’s not short for Theodore. It’s just Theo. I too blame my parents.’

‘Pleased to meet you officially. So, come in. Inside is nicer than the porch, trust me.’

‘I see what auntie meant when she said you were drooling.’ Blake whispered as Buck let them in.

Theo just glared at the boy. ‘Stop… it…’ he half-whispered, half-mouthed at him as they took of their jackets and shoes. Theo turned to Buck ‘We brought some chocolate cookies, hope you guys like them.’

‘Homemade? Mmmmm…’ said Buck as he took the bags from Blake and caught the smell coming from them. ‘My favourite.’

‘Two types… regular chocolate and the white one,’ explained Blake. ‘Dad makes the best cookies… you’ll surely fall in love… with them, I mean.’

Buck took the bags with a smile and disappeared to the kitchen.

‘Smooth… I see what you are doing and, please, stop.’ whispered Theo.

‘B! Theo!’ Christopher was coming for them. ‘Come in!’

‘Hi…’ was all Theo managed before Blake joined Christopher and they were off, probably to Christopher’s room. He decided to follow Buck to the kitchen, since there was no one in the living room.

Buck was showing Eddie the cookies as Theo entered the kitchen.

‘Hi… I’d say you shouldn’t have, but they smell too good!’ Eddie said coming around to Theo and giving him a hug and a pat on the back. ‘Thank you.’

‘No problem. I wanted to contribute somehow and I supposed that all kids love chocolate cookies just as much as mine does.’

‘Oh, we all do,’ smiled Buck with a wink.

‘Buck makes quite good ones but with our work schedule it’s not often. And I can cook barely good enough to keep Chris from starving to death. Luckily we have my abuela and Buck and others from the station to keep us alive.’

‘You are always welcome at the restaurant… you all are.’

‘God, I loved everything we had the other day,’ said Buck. ‘I devoured my portion and took a bite from everyone else’s just to taste everything. I couldn’t decide what I liked more.’

‘Thanks, Buck,’ Theo said, blushing all over. ‘Emily’s mother, Blake’s grandmother, was from the Balkans and I ate at their place all the time in high school and later, and I’ve begged her to teach me all those recipes. So when Emily and I started planning the menu we decided to go with her family’s traditional ones and to mix them up with some that I grew up with in my family and… well, you had the result. I’m happy to say that people obviously like it, we are having more and more customers every day. We are barely keeping it up with the demand.’

‘Have you thought about opening another one?’ asked Eddie.

‘No… definitely not. But we are starting to think about expanding this one and hiring more cooks and servers.’

‘Just keep it as good as that and you’ll have all the customers you want. Oh, but service here is obviously not good, I’m a bad host – what can I get you to drink? We have beer, red wine, orange ju…’

‘Beer will be fine, thanks.’

Eddie passed the beers to Theo and Buck, opened one for himself and went to the kitchen doors. ‘Kids, want something to drink?’

In a moment Christopher called ‘Two cokes, dad!’

‘OK, want to eat properly or during the movie?’

‘Um, during the movie?’ Christopher asked, a bit pleadingly.

‘Fine!’ He then turned to Buck and Theo. ‘Go make yourselves comfortable in the living room, I’ll just order pizza and join you. Anything you two prefer or dislike?’ he asked Theo.

‘No, we are fine with anything.’

Eddie nodded, taking two cokes from the fridge and picking up his phone, while Buck and Theo went to the living room.

Christopher appeared at the doors to his room. ‘Buck? I hear that B and Theo brought cookies?’

‘After the pizza, Superman. You know the drill.’

‘OK, Buck. And will you make caramel popcorns, maybe? Pleeease!’ He pouted a little and made puppy eyes at Buck.

‘Ugh! You really know how to get me on your side, don’t you? Fine!’

‘Yay!’ Christopher exclaimed and disappeared into the room.

‘I love that kid and I can’t say no to him,’ he said as they were sitting down on the sofa.

‘It’s hard to be a bad cop sometimes with them,’ said Theo nodding.

‘I’ve got it easy. I can be a good cop to Eddie’s bad one. You have to be both.’

‘Oh, B has his aunt wrapped around his finger. And when asked why he insists on me dating, his reasoning is he needs another parent to team up with against me.’

‘He has everything planned,’ laughed Buck.

‘It’s scary! Sometimes I wish I could stop him from becoming a teenager. He was such a sweet child back when he was six or seven,’ Theo sighed. ‘Happy times!’

‘Every time Chris does something teenager-y’, said Eddie coming from Christophers room to join them, still on the phone, ‘I think to myself ‘not yet’. But, sadly, it doesn’t work that way… OK, thank you,’ he said into the phone and ended the call. ‘Boys!’ he called again, ‘Pizza will be here in forty minutes. Time to think what to watch!’ As he said it, he mouthed to Theo and Buck ‘Thor’ just as Chris called: ‘Thor?’

The three of them chuckled. ‘What else?’ said Eddie and asked Theo: ‘Do you mind?’

‘What, watching Chris Hemsworth for umpteenth time?… Never.’

‘Oh, you like him?’

‘What’s not to like? Even though I’m not overly fond of beards, I can live with it on him.’

Christopher and Blake were coming to join them. ‘You talking about Hemsworth again, dad? You and your four Chrises…’

‘Four Chrises?’ asked Buck.

‘Dad’s favourite hunks in Hollywood… Hemsworth, Evans, Pratt and Pine.’

‘What did we talk about in the car, B?’ said Theo, blushing. ‘You are embarrassing me… and you forgot the fifth one, the non-Chris.’

Eddie, Christopher and Buck all looked at Blake waiting for an answer.

‘Oh, yes… the non-Chris – Henry Cavill.’

‘He is the best Superman!’ exclaimed Christopher.

‘He’s my dad’s favourite one, too,’ said Blake winking at Theo. ‘But I think he prefers Hemsworth – tall, blond, muscular…’ He finished that while looking at Buck.

Theo went even redder. ‘OK, you are too young to discuss that! You are spending too much time with your aunt, young man! Enough now.’

Everyone laughed at them while making themselves comfortale. ‘Um… how are we going to sit?’ Eddie asked, thankfully changing the subject. ‘The sofa is too small for the five of us and…’

Theo slid down to the floor. ‘We can sit here, we always watch movies like this… if B doesn’t think he is too grown up to sit with his old dad?’

‘Never,’ smiled Blake and sat in front of Theo, making himself comfortable leaning on his chest.

‘Oh, come on, it’s not comfortable like that,’ said Eddie. ‘You are our guests.’

‘Don’t worry, Eddie. We are fine like this. Let me enjoy this for just a little bit more until he is too big and I can’t see TV anymore from his large head!’

‘Hey!’ said Blake reaching behind him to poke at Theo’s side.

‘OK, sit on some cushions at least,’ Eddie said, passing over few of them.

In no time they were watching the movie – Christopher between Eddie and Buck, and Theo and Blake in front of them. They paused it when pizza came, but continued soon, eating.  When it was over, Buck went to the kitchen to make popcorn and to bring cookies.

‘What do you say, should we continue to the second one?’ asked Eddie. ‘If you don’t mind, Theo, of course. Kids don’t have school tomorrow, we can sit through another one?’

‘Fine by me, we can move bed time a bit back, if B thinks he is up to it?’

‘Daaad!’ Blake rolled his eyes.

‘Ah, my favourite – Dad with a long ‘a’…’

‘Always followed by an eye-roll,’ added Eddie.

‘Daaad!’ This time it was Christopher.

‘There! No matter how different the children are, some things are always the same.’

Buck was back soon and they continued with Thor 2, eating popcorn and cookies. Theo shifted a bit, moving Blake to the other side of his chest before his shoulder and arm fall asleep. Suddenly, he realized that he was sitting between Buck’s legs, leaning on one of them… he waited a moment, and when Buck didn’t move, he decided to be brave and stay like that. It was nothing, really, but in his mind he was wondering how nice it would be to have this, him, every night. A small sigh escaped his lips.

‘You OK, dad? Am I too heavy?’ asked Blake.

‘It’s fine… I can handle you, for now.’

‘Love you, dad,’ he whispered.

‘Love you too, kid,’ Theo answered and hugged the boy.

* * *

Buck’s brain went blank. He could feel the warmth of Theo’s back all the way down his leg. He wasn’t sure if he should move or what, but he felt small butterflies in his guts at the contact. And he liked it.

What the…?

He liked Theo, he seemed such a great dad, as good as Eddie was, and had a great time with them, but this feeling was quite unexpected.

What’s going on?

He decided to sit still, hoping that those butterflies will stop, or at least explain to him what the hell they were doing in there.

He didn’t notice the rest of the movie (he’s seen with Chris and Eddie it more times than he cared for, so it didn’t matter), all he could think of was Theo’s warm back against him. As the mid-credit scene came and went the boys were yawning and Eddie and Theo were getting up. He instantly missed the touch.

‘Do we have to go, dad?’ asked Blake, to which Christopher immediately added ‘Yes, stay, there is another Thor movie!’

‘Boys, you are barely awake as is. Leave something for another movie night,’ Eddie said, he himself stretching and half-yawning. ‘We’ll have Blake and Theo over again, if they want that?’ he looked at them inquisitively, both of whom nodded.

‘Of course! I had a great time,’ Theo said. ‘We don’t know many people here in LA and it’s fun to hang out with someone who is not my sister-in-law and her family. I do love them, but there are limits.’

‘You are always welcome. Boys know our schedules so they can arrange it, right?’ Eddie looked at them. Both were nodding vehemently.

‘Next time, maybe you can come to our house, we can have fun having homemade pizzas?’

‘We have pizza oven in the yard and dad’s pizzas are the best.’

Christophers eyes were wide with awe and anticipation. ‘Can we, daaad? Buck?’

‘Of course, mijo,’ Eddie replied and turned to Theo. ‘It’s a date.’

‘Great! Now come, B, it’s late for you too.’

‘As you say, father,’ replied Blake with a sigh.

‘Oh, we are formal now, son?’ They were putting on their shoes in the hallway, boys already planning what to watch next.

‘Well, thank you once more for having us,’ Theo said hugging Christopher first, and then Eddie and, somewhat awkwardly, Buck. He smells like popcorn… and is so warm… He ended the hug abruptly, as if he was afraid Buck could hear his thoughts. Blake hugged the three of them, they said their goodbyes and they were off.

‘He seems nice,’ said Blake when they were in the car.

‘Christopher?’

Blake stared at his dad. ‘Buck…’ he said flatly. ‘You know I’m talking about him.’

‘I don’t know anything. I’m just here to drive,’ Theo joked.

‘Are you sure he and Eddie aren’t together?’

‘Um, yes, why?’

‘It seemed like that, like he lives there too. And Chris always looks at them both when asking for something, like they both are his dads,’ he said with a small smile.

‘I noticed, but Eddie spoke of trying to date… date women, I mean. So, I don’t think so.’

‘He might be hiding it.’

‘I don’t see it. He seems genuine.’

‘Then maybe Buck is?’

‘How about you stop poking your nose where it doesn’t belong?’

Blake clicked his tongue loudly. ‘You are no fun at all!’

* * *

‘Thank you… thank you… thank you…’ Emily was coming toward Theo, spreading her hands to hug him.

‘What’s with Jessie? Is she OK?’ he asked. Emily called half an hour ago that Jessie was sick and she won’t be coming, and since Ivan couldn’t cook alone for the whole shift, Theo had to come to help, bringing Blake with him. It was Friday lunch time and Theo didn’t have anyone to stay with his son all evening. So, poor boy will have to spend all that time with them in the restaurant.

‘Stomach flu… a 24-hour one, I hope. She wanted to come, but I talked her out of it.’

‘Good! We’ll manage.’ He nodded towards Blake. ‘This one will die of boredom, but hey…’

‘If only Joey didn’t take the kids to his folks.’

‘Don’t go into ‘ifs’,’ he said as he was taking his jacket off and heading to the kitchen to help Ivan. Emily already tried to help both in the kitchen and at the service, and everything was slowly devolving into chaos.

An hour later, it was a bit more orderly. There was enough food for the customers and new batches were almost ready. As Theo took a seat to rest for a moment, Blake came into the kitchen.

‘Dad? You managing?’

‘More or less.’

‘Um, I was texting with Chris, and, um… Buck is taking him to the Zoo since Eddie is working an extra shift. They asked if I would like to go…’ he ended uncertainly.

‘Would you?’

‘I would, but I wanted to ask if it is OK with you first. I know we’ve met Buck only once, but he seems fine and…’

Theo’s heart expanded a bit. How did I raise such a responsible child? He interrupted his son.

‘It’s OK… you can go.’

‘Thanks!’ Blake hugged him and started typing on his phone. In a moment he said ‘They can be here in 15 minutes.’

‘Fine. Go gather your stuff and leave everything you won’t take with you in the office.’

He went out of the kitchen skipping a bit and very soon stuck his head through the kitchen door: ‘Dad, Buck is here.’

‘Coming,’ he called. Than he turned to Ivan ‘I’ll step out for just a minute.’

‘Take two, I’ll manage,’ Ivan replied with a wink.

Theo wiped his hands and face, looked at himself at the mirror, fixed his hair, took a few breaths and stepped out of the kitchen. Buck was at the counter chatting with Blake and Emily. Oh, no… He hurried to join them, stepping almost in front of Emily who just snorted a laugh and, smiling at Buck, turned to customers.

‘Hi, Buck.’

Buck beamed a blinding smile at him. ‘Hi, I hear you are busy. You don’t mind Chris and me taking B off of your hands for a while?’

‘Not at all… we had plans, but I had to come here to cook and didn’t want to leave him alone at home. I suppose he was bored to tears.’

‘I hope trip to Zoo will cheer you up, buddy?’ Buck asked Blake.

‘I love animals, but we didn’t have time to go to LA Zoo yet.’

‘Then let’s go! You have everything you need?’

Theo took money out of his pocked. ‘Buck, here’s 50$ for his ticket and anything he wants… well, not anything, but within reason.’

‘No way, man. My treat!’ Buck waved his hands.

‘You are doing too much already, don’t spend your money on my kid.’ Theo was insistent.

‘OK… but…’ Buck took the money, but looked at Theo sternly.

‘Fine. We’ll think of something. B, have a good time and, I mean this, listen to Buck. I know you are responsible, but don’t give him a hard time.’

‘I won’t, dad. See you! Bye, auntie!’ And he was already hurrying out. Buck just called up ‘Bye… we won’t stay late,’ and he was out, following Blake.

‘Hey, relax!’ Emily said to Theo as she saw him tense a bit. ‘He is a firefighter, for crying out loud. Eddie trusts him with his son who has CP and walks on crutches; Blake will be fine with them.’

‘I know… It just feels weird. Buck is technically still a stranger, we’ve spent only a few hours with him.’

‘It’ll be fine, you’ll see. And who knows, maybe Blake will persuade him to take you out,’ she said as she wiggled he eyebrows at him.

‘Will you stop encouraging my son and his crazy matchmaking ideas?’

‘No? Of course not.’

‘Ugh! You are unbelievable!’ grunted Theo and returned to the kitchen.

* * *

For the next few hours, Theo’s phone has been pinging every few minutes as Blake and Buck sent him picture after picture of the Zoo animals and of the three of them around the grounds. They seemed to be having a great time. Theo and Christopher looked ecstatic and Buck seemed to enjoy his time with the boys. Scrolling through the pictures, Theo’s chest was full of warmth. He was looking at a selfie of Buck making a silly face and sticking his blue tongue out while boys next to him did the same, but their tongues were purple – caption saying: Did we lick something we shouldn’t have?, and caught himself sighing fondly. What the hell? Should he fall for Buck? Should he let himself fall? It didn’t seem like a wise course of action since he didn’t now if the guy was into men, and when they spent the evening at Eddie’s, there was a mention of some Taylor girl. Don’t be stupid, don’t fall for an inaccessible guy…

It was already evening and sun was almost setting when they came back to the restaurant. Both Blake and Chris tried to retell everything that happened at the Zoo, but Theo didn’t catch almost anything as they were interrupting each other all the time and talking over one another. Soon, they were actually talking to each other, giving up on Theo, and he turned to Buck.

‘So, you survived?’

‘Oh, we had a wonderful time. The boys were great and I had so much fun with them.’

‘I noticed,’ Theo chuckled, waving his phone. ‘Thank you, Buck, really. You helped so much.’

‘It was nothing. I’m glad I could do it. How are things here?’

‘We are managing but the evening rush hour is almost upon us,’ Theo sighed, already tired, and there were few more hours of work ahead of them.

‘Well, there was something I wanted to ask you. Chris is spending the night at my place since Eddie works late. Would you be OK if B came too, they could have a sleep-over and I would bring him home to you in the morning?’

Theo frowned a bit. ‘I couldn’t bother you more, you’ve already been so helpful.’

‘Come on, it wouldn’t be a bother. You still have to work tonight and B would have to stay here with you. This way you don’t have to worry about him being bored and his bed time, and Chris and me would love to have him over.’

Theo was thinking about it. Should he let Blake go? Buck proved himself more than capable of handling two almost-teenagers at the Zoo, having them at home would surely be easier. And Blake would like it, he was certain. He nodded.

‘Fine… If he is up to it, I’m too. How about all of you have dinner here? That way you won’t have to feed them yourself, you must be tired from the Zoo.’

‘Good idea… B, come here for a moment!’ Buck called.

‘Yes?’

‘You want to have a sleepover at my place with Chris? Your dad is OK with it.’

Blake looked at his dad, excitement almost palpable, ‘Really?’

‘Yes, really. You’ll have dinner here, all of you, and then Buck will take you to our place first so you can pick up stuff for a sleep-over. And he’ll bring you home tomorrow morning.’

‘Dad, you are the best!’ Blake jumped at his dad and hugged him.

‘But you have to listen to Buck when he says it’s bedtime and, actually, whatever else he says.’ He turned to Buck, ‘And Buck must promise he won’t let the boys stay up too late and he won’t allow them to over-stuff themselves with sweets or whatever he has planned… OK?’

Buck raised his right hand, ‘I solemnly promise.’

Theo chuckled… God, like a teenage schoolboy! What happened to good oldfashioned manly snort?... ‘Good. Now… the three of you go to Emily and see what you want for dinner.’

* * *

When Buck was younger he never even gave children a single thought. He didn’t have meaningfull relationships, he was young, and hooked up with equally young people who didn’t think of children. And then he drove Eddie to school after an earthquake, and everything changed. Now, he adored spending time with Christopher and knew for certain he wanted to have children. Taylor didn’t… and that was it, it was a deal-breaker for him. He was sorry they broke up, but it wouldn’t have worked in the long run.

And here he was, having a couple of days off, on a Friday evening, at his place with two boys. And he was happy. Christopher was most certainly his favourite person in the world. He admired that kid – hit with a terrible condition, he none the less woke up into each and every day with awe, determination and joy, his heart full of love, his mind eager to learn. And there was this other kid, equally intelligent, fun-loving, kind, who joined the two of them today. What more could he ask for?

OK, there are things he could ask for… some things he yearned to have… but wasn’t this wonderful all on it’s own, at least for today?

‘Buck! It’s your turn to try and win at Mario Kart!’ Christopher called.

‘Didn’t you humiliate me enough already?’

The boys laughed, ‘No, this time you can try to be better than B.’

‘Um, no… I mean I can try, but we all know the result of that. I’m just going to finish this pie for now. You boys have a go and the winner gets a bigger slice.’

‘Not fair!’ both boys exclaimed.

‘We’ll see…’ he said faking seriousness.

‘At least you are better at this than my dad,’ said Blake.

‘Really?’

‘Oh, God, yes! He is a lost cause. It’s not that he doesn’t like to play games, but he is into those long City Building games or Civilization or something like that. Once I watched him trying to finish the first level of the original ‘Prince of Persia’ – it literaly hurt.’

‘Well…’ chuckled Buck, ‘Not everyone is into races or shooter games. He must have some other things he likes and is good at.’

Chris and Blake looked at him for a moment with an incredulous ‘how can anyone not like games’ look.

‘He plays piano really well,’ said Blake. ‘Sings nice, too. But he can’t dance, like at all. He isn’t a gay guy everyone expects. His friends and his boyfriend back in Seattle teased him for his dancing and tried to take him out to a club or something often, but he refused every time. He was always so stubborn.’

‘He… he had a boyfriend?’ Of course he did, you idiot! Why are you so shocked?

‘One that I know of, few years ago… My aunt hooked them up through a friend, hoping to find him someone, but it didn’t work out. I mean, he was nice and everything, he was always good to me, but he was obviously uncomfortable. I don’t think he liked kids very much. They were together for a couple of months. And I know I was the reason they broke up. If you date him, you have me as an extra… and not a lot of people are comfortable with that,’ he finished with a dejected sigh, but then he had a thought and brightened up. ‘You are obviously comfortable with kids, aren’t you?’

‘Ye – yes… yes, I am. I had a great time at the Zoo today. Did you enjoy it?’

‘We did!’ said Christopher. ‘We should go again sometime, right, B? We didn’t get to see the birds today.’

The boys continued chatting and planning their next visit, while Buck continued watching them, thankfull for a detour in a conversation. But he noticed Blake looking at him with some intent a few more times. Is he trying to play a matchmaker for his dad? Does that mean Theo would be interested? Or am I reading too much into it?

Buck put the apple pie into the oven and started loading the dishwasher. He liked Theo. He was nice and polite, non-pretentious, loved his kid… also, he was a good looking guy. Buck hadn’t been with a lot of men, but he knew what he liked and he could appreciate a good body and a cute face. Only thing is – he was painfully shy when it came to men. He wasn’t sure why or where did it come from. With girls he flirted like there was no tomorrow and hooked up with them quite easily. With guys, he didn’t know how to make an approach.

* * *

In the morning, after the boys woke up and had an obscene amount of pancakes for breakfast, Buck dropped off Christopher first since Blake lived further away. During the ride, the boys were chatting in hushed voices, gigling all the time.

‘So, what are you two scheming?’ he asked them after a while.

‘Nothing, Buck,’ replied Christopher, with exagerated innocence, so it was definitely something. Then both of them broke out laughing again.

‘Yeah, sounds like nothing,’ Buck said, rolling his eyes. ‘I can totally believe it.’

‘We are just planning our next movie night, Buck,’ replied Blake. ‘It’s not a problem, is it?’

‘Are you planning to invite me, too? Christopher, I thought I was your best friend?’

‘You are, Buck! And you definitely have to be there!’ Christopher said and they burst out in giggles.

‘Um, OK…’ Buck wasn’t sure what those two had in mind.

In a few minutes, they were parked in front of the Diaz household and Eddie came out to pick up Christopher and his stuff from the car. ‘Um, Buck, you found that one kid was too easy, so you thought to try having two for a sleepover? How did it go?’

‘It went fine, as a matter of fact. I was just helping a friend who was swamped with work and a kid who was bored to death.’

Eddie just raised an eyebrow and looked at him with a knowing smile. ‘Oh… OK.’

‘Eddie!’

‘What?’

Buck looked at him for a few moments and then just shook his head. ‘Nothing… We have to go. Bye, Superman! Bye, Eddie!’

‘Bye, Buck! Bye, B!’ Christopher called, waving at them. Eddie waved at Blake, winked at Buck and went inside with Christopher.

What the…? He got back into the car.

‘Buck, may I ask you something?’ Blake’s voice startled him for a moment as he was driving on.

‘Um, sure. Shoot.’

‘How come you are single? I mean, you have a good job, a nice apartment, and I noticed girls and older women and some guys looking at you at the Zoo.’

‘You what?... I – I didn’t…’ he was genuinly surprised.

‘How could you miss it? Most of them weren’t even pretending to do something else.’

‘I didn’t notice… I had you two in my care and the animals were cool, why would I look at people?’

Blake nodded and waited for a few moments but than said: ‘You didn’t answer the question.’

‘Oh, yes… well, I had a girlfriend but it didn’t work out.’

‘Why?’

‘We wanted… different things and we decided that we’d be better off as friends.’

‘OK, and you don’t have someone else now?’

‘No… it’s hard to go out with the hours that we pull, and I usually hang out with Eddie and Christopher, and/or the others from the station and with their families, and my sister is part of that. I don’t have many people outside the work I know. Even that girlfriend was someone I met on a call.’

‘You know me… and my dad, now.’

‘Yes… and I am hanging out with you, aren’t I?’ Buck answered jokingly.

‘Mmhm, you are… but I don’t think that would work, we have too much of an age difference,’ Blake mocked him.

‘Hey! Who are you calling old?’ said Buck with a wink. They both laughed at that.

‘You are much older than me… you are closer to my dad’s age. Hey… maybe the two of you should go out sometime. Maybe then you both can find…’ he shrugged noncommitaly, ‘…I don’t know, someone you’d like.’

Damn these innocent looking kids! Is he hinting at something or is it completely benign?

‘Your dad doesn’t date much?’

‘I wish he did. He is very lonely, you know. He never shows it when we are together but I noticed how he is on his own, when he doesn’t know I see him. And I hear what he and my auntie talk about – not that I am listening, they just whisper very loudly!’ he added apologetically. ‘I know that he cares about me so much and loves me, but he doesn’t take care of himself. He doesn’t have a life besides me and the restaurant. He put it all aside because of me.’ A slight sad, melancholic note creeped into Blake’s voice there near the end. ‘He didn’t plan to have a son, he was just helping my mom and then he ended up with me anyway. And he’s been a great dad, he never said he regreted it, but sometimes I think he misses his life from before me.’

‘Your dad loves you very much, and he puts you first. All great parents do that. Eddie is the same for Christopher. I think… no, I know Theo is happy because you make him happy.’

‘Still, he shouldn’t be alone. I can’t replace everyone in his life.’

‘I get you, B. But it’s not something anyone else or even you can change – he has to do it by himself.’

‘But he won’t if he doesn’t even try.’

‘Maybe I have an idea.’

Blake straightened up. ‘Yes?’

‘How about you two come with me and Eddie and Christopher to one of our station-family’s barbecue parties? At least he’ll meet more people, some of who are same-sex couples with children. Maybe he’ll realize he can have someone next to him who’ll love his child too.’

‘That’s great idea, Buck!’

Buck was glad he managed to cheer up the boy. They drove in silence for a few minutes more.

‘I had a great time with you, Buck. Chris is a lucky boy for having someone who loves him as much as you do.’

Buck beamed, smiling. ‘Thanks, B. I had a great time with you too.’

Just then they arrived in front of the house and by the time Blake unbuckled himself, Buck was already out and opening his door. He helped Blake out. Theo was coming out of the house and towards them. Blake hugged Buck.

‘Thank you again, Buck.’

‘My pleasure, kid.’

‘So, I can see that you didn’t miss your old dad that much, huh?’ Theo said as he got to them.

‘Christopher and Buck were great comfort in my pain.’ Blake said melodramatically as he hugged Theo. ‘But, I guess I still missed you, dad.’

‘Back at ya, kiddo… I guess…’ said Theo as he returned the hug. ‘And you, Buck… you are a true saviour. I don’t know how to thank you enough for stepping in.’

Buck nodded with a smile ‘It was nothing, really. B is a great kid. Both of them were very nice and easy to take care of.’ He noticed Blake was looking at him intently, being careful not to be seen by Theo. So, what the hell? Maybe he could try… ‘Well, maybe you can repay me by going out with me for a drink sometime. I hate going out alone, and Eddie is not a great fan of that. What do you say?’

‘I…’ Theo was just staring at Buck, completely unsure where did this come from and what was the idea behind it. Blake tapped at his back and whispered ‘Dad…’. That prompted him to answer, ‘Sure… why not?’

‘I’m free on Wednesday evening, that works for you?’

‘I don’t kn… I have to see with Emily…’

Blake interrupted: ‘It’s OK, I’ll arrange it with my aunt.’ Theo didn’t manage to say anything because Buck nodded.

‘Great! I’ll call you or text you before that to remind you and to let you know the details.’ I should better leave before this gets any more awkward.

‘Uh-huh…’ was all Theo managed.

‘Have to run now, I’m going shopping with my sister and my niece later. B, I hope you’ll be up for a day like yesterday or a sleepover with Chris again. Theo, we’ll be in touch. Take care, guys, bye…’ and he was off, Blake happily waving after him, Theo still unsure what did he just agree to.

Theo finally turned to his son: ‘Are you somehow responsible for that, Blake?’

‘What, dad? I don’t know what you are talking about.’ And he was off towards the house, leaving Theo to stare after him.

‘You are turning into a true menace, you know!’

‘I’m just a loving son, dad. Nothing more…’ called Blake before dissapearing inside.

* * *

‘Buck, we are going to watch Captain America tonight, it’s your favourite!’ said Christopher, hugging Buck.

‘Um, sorry, buddie, but I won’t be staying tonight,’ Buck said glancing at Eddie nervously.

‘Why? But you are here already!’

‘I’m going out with Blake’s dad when he drops him off.’

Unexpectedly, Christopher cheered up. ‘Oh, OK. I hope you’ll have a nice time.’

Buck and Eddie looked at each other frowning and turned to Christopher, but were interrupted by the door bell.

* * *

When Buck and Theo had left, Eddie rounded the boys in the living room, standing in front of them, his arms crossed.

‘Just answer me one question, guys – do you have anything to do with those two going out tonight?’

Drawn-out ‘Nooo’ from them both and their eyes looking anywere but at him was the answer he was looking for.

‘So, you are setting up Theo and Buck together, huh? You think it’s OK to meddle?’

Blake shrugged his shoulders, ‘I like Buck,’ he said timidly after a pause, ‘and I think they like each other.’

‘Even so, you should let them decide if they want to go out. Not push them together and hope for the best.’

‘But, Dad, you know Buck, he wouldn’t do anything on his own. We had to push him… and Theo, too.’

Eddie found that it’s hard to be cross with them when they were right.

‘Still… you shouldn’t have done that,’ he responded weakly, knowing he lost the argument. ‘Just don’t do it anymore.’

The boys nodded but both had barely hidden smiles on their faces.

* * *

‘Buck… you really shouldn’t have!’ said Theo when they were seated at their table. It was a somewhat fancy restaurant and he felt a bit underdressed and a tad overwhelmed – didn’t Buck said they were out for a drink?

‘Why? You don’t want to eat in a restaurant other than your own?’ Buck joked.

‘It’s not that! Of course it is not… I just…’

Waiter came over to greet them, take their order for drinks and to present the menus. After he left, Buck turned his attention to Theo again.

‘When was the last time you went out to dinner with someone?’

‘Um, it’s been a while…’

‘Then what’s the problem? Is it the company?’

Theo frowned. ‘No! Why would you say that?’

Buck smiled, ‘So you don’t mind me taking you out?’

‘I’m here, aren’t I? With you…’

Waiter brought the drinks, interrupting them, again. Theo was nervous, he wasn’t used to this, and he wasn’t even sure what this was. When waiter took their orders and left, he sighed.

‘Buck. May I ask you something?’

Buck looked at him unsure where this was going. ‘Yes?’

‘And please answer me honestly… Did Christopher put you up to this?’

‘How did you know?’

‘I’m the father of his partner in crime… I just knew they were planning something.’ OK, that was the easy question. Now comes the hard part. ‘And is this…’ he inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself, ‘…a date?’

Buck was looking everywhere else but at Theo, biting his lower lip. ‘I… well… would,’ he slowly met Theo’s eyes, ‘would you like it to be?’

YEEEES! Theo’s inner voice was yelling at the top of his… well, very loudly, in any case. Theo, meanwhile, was just sitting there, mouth agape, staring at Buck’s (most beautiful) eyes. Neither of them spoke or moved.

Finally, Theo managed to kickstart his brain again, ‘I would… I just didn’t expect you would.’

‘Why wouldn’t I?’

‘I’m… I’m not just me… there’s Blake, too. We are a package deal.’

‘So?’

‘Not many gay men I met want to have kids, and even less are ready to get one alongside the boyfriend.’

‘Come on! I love kids and B is a cool one, just like Chris. You have a great son.’

‘But…’

‘Listen. To be honest, I’ve been thinking about this… you… me…’ he paused for a moment and then slowly said, ‘us… You are a good guy. Fun, intelligent, great cook, handsome. And you have a son you love, who loves you back as much, and who’s been trying, alongside Chris, to get us together. I’m OK with that, I like you, I like him, and I wouldn’t mind… I mean, if you feel like it, don’t think I am pushing you into anything… I just wouldn’t mind the two of us being… well – us.’

Again, Theo was just staring at Buck.

‘Theo?’

Theo shook his head. ‘Sorry? You’d like me and you…?’

Buck was nodding.

‘And Blake is…’

‘Not a problem. I really like him.’

Theo went silent for a moment. Then he spoke again, carefully, ‘Buck… don’t get me wrong, I haven’t been this excited in a long while. But… it’s not you…’

‘…it’s me,’ Buck finished dejectedly. ‘I get it…’

Theo caught his hand across the table and held it tightly. ‘Hey! No, you don’t! The idea of us makes me insanely happy, and I would throw myself at you in an instant. But, I have to talk to Blake. I know that this has been mostly his idea and that he likes you. But that’s all somewhat hipothetical – if you and I are going to date, I must know that he is 100% OK with that. I hope that you understand.’

Buck was smiling now, ‘I do, believe me. I wouldn’t expect anything else.’

Theo sighed with relief, ‘Great… maybe we could enjoy our,’ he smiled, ‘date, and how about tomorrow we sit with him and have a talk? I would love very much if you were there, too.’

‘Sure, I’d love that, too.’

* * *

‘Dad, move!’

‘Christopher, we shouldn’t do this!’ Eddie said sternly, but for some reason didn’t move a muscle to go away.

‘Then why are you standing here and peeking behind the curtains? Move and let me and B look.’

‘What are they doing? I can see only a part of dad from here,’ asked Blake.

‘Dad!’ Eddie mumbled something and made more room for Christopher, ‘Finally!... Nothing, Buck’s just saying something and they are laughing.’

‘Hmmm… seems they had a good time,’ Blake said with a smile. ‘Hey! Where did he go? Sorry, mister Diaz, can I…’

‘It’s Eddie, and fine, here,’ he moved so Blake can slide more to the left.

‘Thanks… Eddie… oh!’

‘They are kissing!’ Christopher whispered excitedly. Eddie peeked through the curtains too. He couldn’t have stopped himself even if he tried to.

‘Go, dad!’ whispered Blake, stopping himself from yelling. He was overjoyed.

Buck was holding Theo with both hands above his hips, while Theo held Buck’s upper arms and they were kissing. When their lips parted they stood there, remaining close and whispered something over their smiles. Finally, they stood apart and Buck was about to leave, but before that, he turned towards the window and waved at them smiling. The boys and Eddie hurriedly took a step back, pretending they weren’t caught spying.

Theo knocked at the door and Eddie went to open them for him, trying to look cool, to hide that he was blushing.

‘Hi,’ he said, clearing his throat.

‘Hi…,’ said Theo with an amused look. ‘I expected the kids to do that, but you, Eddie?’

‘Well…’ Eddie shrugged as he let Theo in. ‘Buck’s my best friend, and when I managed to get the plan out from these two, I was naturally curious.’ The boys were a few steps away, looking at Theo, almost buzzing with excitement.

‘Dad! How did it go? Is Buck your boyfriend now?’

‘Yes, Theo, are you two together?’

‘Boys! And Eddie!… We had a dinner and it was nice… I will even call it a date, and I know who are the masterminds behind it. And, as you have all seen, both of us enjoyed it.’ Both boys and Eddie took a breath before saying something, but Theo raised a finger, ‘But… before we make it official, I’d like us to talk about it, Blake. You and me… and Buck. OK?’

Blake was nodding vigorously, not even minding the use of his full name.

‘OK, then. Now get your things. Both of you have school tomorrow, it’s time for bed.’

Blake went to the living room to gather his belongings, while Chris came closer and hugged Theo, ‘You won’t regret it, Buck is a great friend.’

‘I know, Chris. Thank you for your support.’

Chris went after Blake. Eddie put a hand on Theo’s shoulder.

‘He is right, you know? Buck is a great guy, loyal to a fault. And because of that, he has been hurt in the past. Just… just take care of him.’

‘I will, Eddie… I promise. I’ve met a lot of people in my line of work, but I think he is truly one in a million. I’ll do my best to make him happy.’

Eddie nodded and pulled Theo into a hug. ‘Welcome to the family.’

* * *

‘Buck!’ Blake cried out as he opened the door, lunging at Buck.

‘Hey, B!’ Buck smiled as he managed to stop both of them from stumbling. ‘What’s up?’

‘Are you staying? How about movie night with us? Some new movies came out on Netflix…’

Theo cleared his throat.

‘And have you asked me if you can have your new best friend over, Blake?’

‘No, dad!’ Blake laughed, ‘He is here for you.’

‘Oh! Sorry, I got an impression he was here for a play date with you.’

Buck gave Theo a hug, placing a small kiss on his lips. ‘Hi, mister Davis, I actually came over to see you,’ he said and placed his hands on Theo’s hips, winking at him.

‘You can stay, then… but, first… let’s have a chat, Blake.’ He took Buck’s hand and led him to the living room, sitting him on the couch. Theo came around and sat next to Buck.

‘Dad!’

‘You can Dad me all you want, I’m calling you anything I please… deal with it!’

Blake turned to Buck. ‘Buck! Tell him!’

Buck looked at him, than at Theo with a bit bewildered look, ‘Umm…’

Theo just raised his eyebrows at him and his lips curled up a bit into a smile… a smirk… well, something. He was looking at Buck expectantly, but all Buck managed was another ‘Umm…’

‘And this is exactly why I wanted us to talk, son. As you already are aware – since you had your part in it and spied on us – Buck and I are… well, we’d like to have a relationship. I like him a lot.’ Buck looked at him with a huge smile and he blushed a little. ‘I do, Buck. I really do. But I have some… guidelines I’d like to set.’

‘OK?’ both Buck and Blake said curiosly at the same time, and then giggled at that. God help me, thought Theo, now I have two of them.

‘First of all, Blake… you are not going to take advantage of Buck’s good heart. You won’t manipulate him into doing or allowing you something that you know I don’t agree with. You are rather aware where I stand on most issues, so don’t try anything. And you, Buck, don’t be fooled by his innocent puppy eyes and demeanor. I’m not saying you have to parent him or anything, don’t get me wrong, I’m not asking that from you – I just know how cunning he can be when he has a set goal in mind. Where he got that from, heaven knows!

Second – you have to listen to Buck even if you don’t like it. I don’t want to hear sentences, directed at him, like ‘you are not my dad’ ever. I’ve seen him with Christopher and with you, I trust him, so just assume he knows what he is talking about. And I know he has everyone’s best interest in mind, always. If you think he is wrong, we can talk about it, but I won’t allow you to be rude to him.

And third – I love you to death, Blake, and you are the most important person in the world to me, but understand that Buck and I would be spending time together and that it won’t always include you. I know you like him, and it’s obvious he likes you too, but don’t get upset or angry if we’d like to be just the two of us.’

‘I won’t, dad, why would I?’

‘B… you tend to be clingy at times, you know that. And I know I’m going to regret this in the near future, when you are in full swing of puberty and don’t care for your old dad anymore, but Buck has a bit hectic work hours and not all days or evenings can be the three of us hanging out, or the three of us going somewhere together. We don’t want to scare Buck away with the ready-made family.’

Buck looked at him, and opened his mouth as if to say something, but then didn’t. He just mouthed ‘Later’ to Theo.

‘But he isn’t scared… you aren’t, right, Buck? You like my dad?  You don’t mind he has a son?’

‘I don’t… I like you both… but, I get what your dad is trying to say. We barely started dating and neither of us really knows where this will go. Being friends and dating isn’t the same. I hope… really, really hope that we will get along and that we are good together.’ Buck turned to look at Theo, ‘I haven’t had such a nice evening in a long time. And I’m not scared away easily. So, if you two would have me, I’m more than happy to stay,’ he finished with a hopeful smile and raised eyebrows.

Blake hugged him around the waist which warmed Theo’s heart immensly. He slided next to Buck, took his face in his palms and pressed his lips to Buck’s.

‘Ugh… dad!’

‘Yes? You mind me kissing my boyfriend?’

Buck chuckled and blushed, and Blake stood up, ‘OK, you could just say you two want to be alone… I’m going to my room. But, Buck, when you get bored of my dad, can you come there? I want to show you a book we bought last week.’

Buck looked at Theo and then back at Blake, ‘Hmm, I’m not sure I will get bored of him any time soon, but I’ll come over, don’t you worry,’ and he put out his hand for a fist bump with Blake, who did just that and, smiling, went to his room.

‘Just, FYI,’ Buck said taking Theo’s hands in his, ‘You are not scaring me away. I don’t mind becoming a part of your family. Both of you took me in with open arms – who can hate that? I’m all for it, if you both want me in.’

‘We wouldn’t want you anywhere else,’ said Theo pulling Buck into a hug, kissing his soft lips again.