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Buck has been anxiously waiting for the Diaz boys to return, not that he hasn’t been since they left but he got a video call from Eddie and Chris telling him they’re coming home.
Home. The house that once felt like home now feels empty. The warmth diminished when Chris left and the rest followed Eddie to El Paso. Buck had tried everything to get that feeling back, making some choices he’s not proud of. Inviting his ex back to Eddie’s house was definitely one of those.
He had also tried filling the walls and shelves with his own personal items but he quickly found out that everything reminded him of them. Pictures he and Chris took at the zoo, the books Eddie got him on his most recent interest and even some of Chris’ creative projects ended up in Buck’s moving boxes.
His heart tugged at that, it all feels so normal to have Eddie’s son’s school projects in his possession, almost like they were made for him. What he didn’t realize yet is that they were made for him, Chris made sure to make two of everything he got to take home from school. Two clay mugs, two wooden, painted boxes and two Christmas cards. As he got older he didn’t bring much back home but he always included Buck whenever he could.
Buck is stood on the porch when he sees Eddie’s car with the U-Haul approaching. His best friend knows how nervous he is, Buck had called him freaking out and wondering if Chris hated him. Eddie had tried his best to reassure him, that wasn’t the case at all. Buck had been able to calm down a bit but the anxiety was bubbling up again.
While Buck was still stuck in his own thoughts, the Diaz boys had parked the car and were getting ready to step out. Buck froze up again the second he saw them step out. Was everything going to be different? Did Eddie enjoy his time away from Buck? He’d have to start looking at a new place to stay in soon, he’s been putting it off for too long.
But all he could think about right now are the strong arms around him, the scent of Eddie’s shampoo filling his senses. He just about manages to keep his tears in.
“Hey Buck, glad to see you outside of a screen.” Eddie smiles and releases Buck.
“Welcome home!” Buck says grinning.
He looks behind Eddie and makes eye contact with Chris. He hesitates for a bit before almost getting tackled by the force of Chris’ hug. Safe to say his tears started flowing then.
“I’m so happy to see you Buck, me and dad missed you.”
“I missed you too, kid.” So much more than he could ever put into words.
“So, what’s the damage to the house? Did you knock that wall down like you said you would?” Eddie teases.
“Oh yeah, and I painted the whole house bright blue. Might’ve even gutted the kitchen!” Buck immediately feels comfortable in their usual banter.
He helps them bring some of their essentials in, they decided to unpack the U-Haul tomorrow.
They had a few movie nights to catch up on.
Chris had gone to bed after two movies, obviously tired from the long drive. Buck didn’t miss the surprise on his face when he walked in to his bedroom to find it completely untouched. It was the one room he couldn’t bring himself to step foot in without Chris here.
There was a sad smile on Eddie’s face when he realized why the room was untouched but he didn’t expect anything else from Buck.
After the third movie they decided to call it a night. Buck automatically started cleaning up their cups and bowls of popcorn. Eddie followed him into the kitchen.
“I’ll set up the couch for myself so you can sleep in your own bed.” Buck said while cleaning the dishes.
“I can’t kick you out of the bed you’ve been sleeping in Buck.”
“You’ve had a long drive, the couch would kill your back, old man.” Buck says but it doesn’t sound like his usual tone. “Besides, I haven’t been sleeping in there anyways.” He adds on quietly. Quiet enough that Eddie seems to miss it. Just like Buck intended.
Eddie won’t lie, sleeping in his own bed does sound amazing right now. “Alright, but we got to find a better solution than that.”
Eddie helps Buck finish up and puts away the dishes. They say goodnight and make their way to their respective beds for the night.
The house is flooded by silence again, something Buck had gotten to know all too well.
He lays on his back just staring at the ceiling. He’s so happy they’re back but for some reason there is something keeping him down. He knows it’s going to be a rough night.
Buck wakes up in a cold sweat. The events he and his team had gone through swimming around his mind. He had nearly lost Chim, all while not having his best friend around. He knows he has technically gone through worse, he had died for three minutes and seventeen seconds but he wasn’t aware of that. He was way too aware of Chim coughing up blood and saying goodbye, just in case. Telling Maddie he wasn’t coming home for dinner.
It had broken Buck’s heart.
The feeling never really left afterwards, even though he made sure to check in with Chimney. Probably more than was normal. His brother in law was aware of this but let Buck do whatever he needed to do.
He hears a door open slowly. He woke up Eddie didn’t he? He knows he’s not quiet when he has nightmares.
His heart sinks when he hears the sound of crutches approaching. Even worse, he had woken up Chris the first night he was back home.
“Buck?” Chris’ voice sounds hesitant.
“I’m in here, bud.” Buck tries to make his voice sound more stable than it is.
Chris doesn’t say anything and Buck thinks he has gone back to bed. Until he sees Chris enter his field of vision. He sits up immediately.
Buck opens his mouth to ask if Chris needs anything but gets cut off.
“You had a nightmare, didn’t you?”
“Yeah but I’m fine Chris, you can go back to sleep.”
Chris looks at him for a second, clearly seeing Buck’s red eyes and tear stained face.
“Can I hug you?” He asks him and Buck nods. How does this kid know exactly what he needs in this moment.
Chris sits next to Buck on the couch and hugs him tight for the second time that day.
Both needing this more than they realized.
Eddie had also woken up but stopped himself from fully going into the living room. He selfishly wanted to see how the situation would unfold.
The scene of his son and his best friend clinging onto each other for comfort makes his heart swell. His kid is so emotionally intelligent, he has no idea where he got that from.
Chris and Buck let go of each other and seem to just start talking about anything and everything. Chris has a lot of stories to catch Buck up to.
This is all Eddie wanted for Chris, a loving home with two parents.
Two Parents. Not a mother and father necessarily. The thought shocks Eddie.
He’s been a complete idiot. He’s been looking for another addiction to their family while their family was already complete.
Buck is everything he wants in a partner. Someone who he can rely on, someone to laugh with and someone who treats Chris with love and respect.
The realization doesn’t feel scary and it surprises Eddie. He thought he would’ve freaked out, maybe have another panic attack like that one time with Ana. But he feels calm. Like it’s the most logical thing ever.
He makes his presence known to the duo on the couch and they smile at him.
“Having a secret sleepover without me?” He teases.
“Noooo” Buck draws out. “-we wouldn’t dare!” Chris and Buck look at each other and start laughing.
Yes. Eddie thinks. This feels right.