Chapter Text
Eddie watched as Buck went over to answer the door. Both Hen and Chim were on their phones so Buck stepped out and closed the door behind himself.
He wondered what was going on but quickly shrugged it off and went back to his text conversation with Chris. He missed his son more than anything but didn't want his son to spiral into his anxiety any more than he already was. So he had set up a strict schedule for phone calls and video chats with the understanding that Chris could text him at any time.
So far it seemed to be helping Chris develop a good routine and not completely focus on the forced separation.
Eddie had just put his phone away when Buck came back in looking frustrated. He came to the small living area and stared at Hen and Chim for a moment.
"When you two can unglue yourselves from your phones, we need to talk."
Buck's back was ridged as he walked into the kitchen. Eddie got up to follow him.
"Is everything okay?"
Buck's laugh was a little bitter. "It really isn't. But I want to wait to say this to all of you at once. Just know that you're not the issue."
Eddie grabbed a chair and waited for the other two to join them.
"That was really rude, Buck. I was talking to your sister."
Buck leaned on the kitchen bar.
"Right now I don't want to hear it from you."
Buck rarely talked to anyone that way so it stunned Chimney for long enough for Buck to start talking.
"That was one of my neighbors. They got together and agreed to talk to me before filing an official complaint."
Hen looked concerned. "About what?"
"Mostly it's about Chim."
Chim started to complain but Buck put his hand up. "You're on your phone practically all hours that you or Maddie are not at work. You're loud and inconsiderate. And my neighbors can actually quote entire conversations that you have on the balcony. So they have asked that I speak to you. Either you learn to respect everyone around you or they are going to file a complaint with the management of my building."
Eddie kept his eyes on Buck. He knew he probably looked a little smug. He had told Chim multiple times that he needed to get on a schedule with the phone calls because he was interrupting their sleep schedule.
"You can't tell me not to talk to Maddie! She's pregnant! I have to make sure they're okay and help out however I can."
Buck stood up straight.
"This is my apartment. I am paying the rent on it. I pay the utilities...utilities which you have refused to help with. I am buying the groceries despite the fact that you are the one who fights me about paying your share. So, at the end of the day, I do get to tell you that you have to knock it off. This whole mess doesn't just impact the two of you."
Hen moved over towards Buck before she started speaking.
"Buck is right about that. You don't really help out much here and you are up talking well past when the rest of us are trying to sleep."
"I have to save as much as possible to help Maddie with the bills. We have a baby coming and babies cost a lot! Besides, you make enough to cover the bills here when we don't live here so it shouldn't matter."
Eddie just sat and watched in silence. If he thought Buck needed help, he would speak up. But Buck seemed to have this in control.
Buck pulled out a paper from his stack of bills.
"This is my power bill. It has more than doubled since you all have moved in. Both Hen and Eddie gave me money to help out. But you told me to stop being selfish when I tried to talk to you about it."
Buck waved a hand in frustration.
"That's not the issue right now. If you can't keep your voice down and keep to reasonable hours when talking to Maddie then I need you to move out."
Chim stared at Buck, stunned. Buck knew that he didn't have anywhere else to go right now.
"If my neighbors make a formal complaint, they could kick us all out. They could cancel my lease if it appears that my invited company is causing problems for at least half a dozen other units."
Buck glanced at Eddie who nodded in support. He had told Buck he needed to set ground rules a while back.
"In fact, as you are the only one who doesn't really help around here, I need you to step up in every other way. Hen helps keep the kitchen clean. Eddie has been helping with the bathroom. I am managing the laundry and living room. But if you don't help out somewhere, I will start charging you rent. I can't afford to pay for all of your expenses and clean up after you as well. You are a grown man and need to start acting like it."
Buck pushed away from the bar in frustration and headed out to his balcony.
"Chim," Eddie glanced at Hen. "I've talked to you about this. You can't expect Buck to buy your groceries, clean up after you, pay all of the bills, and then sit on the couch to talk to Maddie all of the time. It's unreasonable. And he is right that you and Maddie aren't the only ones trying to deal with this. I have expenses that I am trying to help Karen with. Eddie still has to pay for his place. We both have kids that we have to pay to support. But we still manage to chip in when Buck's bills go up or he has to pay twice as much for groceries."
Hen took a breath and then shook her head. She hadn't been the greatest about the phone calls either but would try to do what Eddie was doing. Setting up times to talk with Karen and Denny wouldn't hurt anything. And that would give her time to read those books she had just bought.
Chim turned to Eddie.
"You don't think he's being unreasonable? Buck doesn't have anyone else to support. We all have others who depend on us."
"No, I don't think he's being unreasonable. It's been mentioned to Buck more than once that you're behaving like a freeloader. You have made yourself at home here and expect him to wait on you hand and foot. It's rude and makes it look like you were raised to be selfish. Since I know that's not true, I hope you realize how your actions are hurting your relationships with everyone around you."
Eddie left Chim standing while he went to join his best friend. He wanted Buck to know that he would support him no matter how things ended up.