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Peter gasps, drops his drink, and nearly throws himself at the man he sees before him.
“Mr. Buck!!” Peter shouts with excitement. The man jerks his head, eyes wide as he looks around wildly, and then his eyes light up when he notices who it is.
“Peter Parker ?” Buck says with a huge smile. “God, look at you! Get over here!" Buck opens his arms wide, and Peter starts to tear up. He throws his arms around him and tries not to squeeze too hard.
Oh, man, he's actually here!
"How have you been?” Buck asks, rubbing soothing circles on his back.
Peter couldn’t help it. He starts to cry because, man, he misses him. He doesn’t have many positive adults in his life. His teachers were okay, but they paid more attention to the richer kids, especially Midtown. He has bullies, so having one of the positive people in his life means a lot to him.
He remembers being forced to go to camp for the first time. He didn’t want to go, but after meeting his favorite camp counselor, he got so excited that he wanted to go every year.
So when Mr. Buck didn’t come back? Peter didn’t go back. He had been so depressed. He practically called home every night, saying he wanted to go home, and everyone else felt the same way.
He feels Mr. Buck stiffen when Peter cries.
“Oh, crap. Are you ok?”
Peter nods, wiping his tears with the sleeve of his shirt. “I really missed you. I never returned to camp when they told us you quit and wouldn’t be coming back anymore. I only went cause you were there,” Peter sniffed. “You made it so much better. Everything was boring and sucked and I could tell the other kids were bummed out too.”
“R-Really?” Buck’s eyes widened. Peter nodded.
“But then a few days after, the camp shut down cause of the water contamination. It was so weird,” Peter paused. “Why did you leave?” Peter asked. Buck sighed and stepped off to the side, gesturing for Peter to sit down.
“Look, I can’t go into much detail, but I honestly had to leave. I'm so sorry for leaving you and the other kids like that. It tore me up so much," Buck said. "I'm so sorry. I'm so happy to see you're doing so great."
Peter pouted, but backed off on the why. He supposes it doesn't matter anymore, since the man is right here before him.
"I wanted to leave my email to you, especially if you wanted to talk, but everything was so sudden and I had to leave.” Buck scratches the back of his head. You said the kids missed me? Really?”
“Yeah! I heard a lot of kids didn’t even bother to go back anymore because you left.”
Buck smiles to himself. “That means a lot to me, hearing that. They told me the kids complained about me and that I was the least favorite.”
“What?!” Peter says in horror. “Bet you anything they were just jealous.”
Buck laughs.
“So what have you been up to, kid?” Buck asked, quickly changing the subject. He then made a face. “Are you by yourself?” Buck looked around. “I don’t see your Aunt.”
“I was on my way somewhere, I just got out of school, and the bus lets me off near the city, so I ride the bus and kinda walk. It’s been pretty good exercise.” Peter shrugs.
“Peter, you’re like thirteen--”
“Fourteen--”
“Fourteen. You sure you’re safe?” Buck pauses. "Wait, don't you have asthma?"
Peter's eyes widen. "Uhh, about that. Aunt May took me to a really good doctor, and turns out I was misdiagnosed."
Buck's head jerks back. "What? With what?"
"Uh, allergies, believe it or not," Peter fibs. He watches Buck make a face, lost in thought.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah."
"But-"
“I promise you I’m fine. Besides, there's a lot of police patrolling, adults who know me and my aunt may, and I have my phone with the panic button just in case,” Peter slumps. “And a lot of extra acquired aunts and uncles.” Peter pouts.
Buck raised an eyebrow. “There seems to be a story, but I won’t press.”
Peter’s quite thankful. He really didn’t want to get into how he knows the Avengers. “What about you?” Peter asks.
“Well, I just got back from Peru. I was actually going to head to Los Angeles, but my friend who was supposed to have driven my Jeep to meet me in California backed out, so I’m here to pick it up. I didn’t have anyone else to look after it, and I was afraid of leaving it in a lot. I didn’t have a lot of money to rent a parking space. They needed a way to get to New York, so it was the best plan.”
“Peru?! That sounds amazing! Did you know that the Amazon River starts there?”
Buck’s smile breaks across his face, going from ear to ear. “Yes! I’ve also seen Rainbow Mountain. Quite pretty.”
“Please tell me you visited the Inca civilization.”
“I did! It was amazing. I took a lot of pictures and videos.”
“Aw, I wanna see them.”
“I upload a lot on my Instagram. Here,” Buck pulls his phone out and shows his insta for Peter to follow. Buck was about to ask another question until he heard Peter’s stomach growl. He raises his eyebrow and gives Peter an amusing glance. The boy flushes, stammering an apology. “I take it you’re hungry?”
“...maybe?” Peter said. “Just ignore it.”
“Noo, can’t ignore when a kid is starving. What’s good here? We can grab something to eat.”
Peter’s eyes widened. “R-really? You don’t mind? I’m sure you've got better things to do.”
Buck shook his head. “Not really. My friend won’t get out of work til nighttime. I was planning on just chilling and probably taking a walk in Central Park or something,” Buck shrugs. “Just be sure to let your Aunt know where we’re at. I don’t want her thinking…well…you know.” Buck ruffles the back of his head. "It's been a while."
“Aunt May loves you, you know that.” Buck’s face flushes. “But I’ll let her know. Here--” Peter turns around and takes a selfie, getting Buck in the picture, who gives a big smile and waves. He sends the photo to her.
Aunt May: No way!! Is that really him?!
Peter: Yes!! I cried when I saw him. He heard my stomach growl and offered to take me somewhere to eat, is that ok??
Aunt May: Where
Peter: I was thinking our favorite Thai place. Can I go, please??
Aunt May: No.
Peter: ?????What????? But
Aunt May: Not without me you’re not. I’m hungry and I really miss him too. Can’t hog him to yourself. Meet you there in fifteen?
Peter: Yes!!!
Deciding it would be a surprise, Peter leaves out meeting Aunt May there. There’s an extra bounce in his step, finally being able to spend more time with Mr. Buck and share more stories with each other. The two walk, both happy as can be. Buck tells him all the adventures he’s been having and the different kinds of jobs. Peter tells him about school, getting into Midtown, the projects, and then getting carried away with the things that've been going on with the Avengers here.
“Man, imagine the work their therapist is going to have.”
Peter blinks.
“What do you mean?”
Buck shrugs. “I mean, think about it. With that many problems and working in a field like that? Grounds for a therapist. It would benefit them to speak to someone outside their work field, and just plain ol getting it off their chest. People in the army, Police officers get therapy after traumatizing events, and anyone in the first responder line of work, including surgeons, gets PTSD.”
Peter looks down. “You think maybe they’re ashamed?”
“Peter, there is absolutely nothing shameful about reaching out for help. You are never too old to need help. It does not make you weak.” Buck glances at Peter up and down, noticing the boy's sadness. “The hardest hurdle is admitting you need help in the first place.”
“Huh.”
His plan worked. Buck was ecstatic to see Aunt May. He remembers them talking a lot, and Buck showing her around to make her feel more at ease about the camp. He had been very passionate about the place. The other parents also loved the little tour they all got.
When they rounded the corner, Aunt May had spotted them first. She bounced with joy and practically yanked Buck into a hug.
“Oh my gosh!! It’s been too long! Look at you and your hair!!” May holds Buck’s face in her hands. She turns his head this way and that way to get a better look at it, then scrunches her face. “Oh man, do you want me to fix it? It looks a little damaged,” she says, smacking him. “You nearly fried your beautiful hair. What happened to your beautiful curls?”
“Uh, I may have overprocessed it,” he winced. “I’ve been trying to let it grow out. And it’s fine. I don’t want to bother you two--”
“Nonsense! I have a kit at home. I used to work in a salon, so I know how to make your hair look better. It also saves you some money. Do you have any plans?”
“Been waiting for a friend to return my keys to my jeep. She has a shift and won’t get out too late--”
“Then by all means we’re going back to my place and I’ll fix your hair. Missed you too much, kiddo. And you can message your friend and pick up your jeep in the morning? It gets a bit dangerous at night.”
“Uh-”
“Great, now come on. I’m starving. My treat!” Aunt May pulls Peter and Buck’s arms and tugs them into the restaurant.
As they all ordered food, Aunt May asked Buck how things had been and if he was still doing random jobs everywhere. He nods and then goes off to explain all the different types of jobs he’s been doing.
Peter catches Aunt May making a sad face for a split second before it vanishes.
“Have you been looking around for a job here yet?” May asks. She gets a confused face in return. “I mean, you’re here. You haven’t traveled much in New York, that is, unless you have other plans already for Los Angeles.”
“Well, been thinking about it, but my funds are a little low at the moment.” He tilts his head and hums. “I bartended in Peru for the duration of my stay. Got to learn a lot of drinks. I’m gonna need a place to stay-”
“And Peter has a bunk bed.”
“Yeah!!”
“Oh, oh I-I can’t do that--”
“Nonsense! I’ve been working a lot of overtime, and I feel bad about having to leave him at his internship until I can get back to bring him home. Other days aren’t so bad, he goes home after school before I leave for work, but I still get worried.” May says.
Peter, for sure, picks up the lie. May knows why he spends a lot of his time at his ‘internship. She knows he’s Spider-Man and knows the Avengers are helping him train. On days when they still have small missions here and there, are the days he patrols as Spider-Man.
But he doesn’t say anything about the lie.
“I wouldn’t want to make Peter uncomfortable--”
“You totally wouldn’t! I can finally make you watch Star Wars with me!!”
“All the more reason to not stay.”
“Hey! I take offense to that!”
Buck laughs. “Um, I mean if it’s alright? And I can do dishes and chores around the apartment.” Buck winces. “I-I don’t know how to cook much. I’m learning, though. I learned a few things in Peru. The grandma of the family I stayed with took pity on me, but I learn quickly. There are a lot of videos on YouTube.”
May laughs. She knows Buck can’t see why people want to sweep him up. It’s partly why she’s so worried about him. That and Peter had taken a liking to him, going home from camp and calling her during to gush and talk about Mr. Buck.
Like the big brother he never had. She thought to herself.
“Don’t worry. I wasn’t the cook at all. Still trying, but failing to learn.”
“It’d be nice family time, you know? Cooking together…” Peter says, now sounding a little silly.
“That sounds great. I’ll let you boys find a… not-too-difficult recipe for us to try. Send me the ingredients, and I’ll pick them up after work.” May says. “Oh, here, give me your phone, Buck, I’ll put my number in there.” She makes a gimmie motion with her hands. Buck doesn’t even realize it until he unlocks his phone and hands it over.
“Oh, oh, put mine in there!” Peter says. He perks up when he sees the food coming.
Buck decides to stay in New York for a little bit. He’s definitely not wanting to impose on the Parkers, but they seem rather insistent on him staying. He makes sure he’s not overstaying his welcome, but the two seem genuinely happy he’s there. It makes him a little happy, May feels like the aunt he’d always want, and Peter is the little brother he’d always want and spoil.
Don’t get attached, Buckley.
Ugh.
Buck gathers his things from the hotel and ends up staying with the Parkers. It’s nice and cozy, and it feels like a home.
He thought that bunking with Peter would be…awkward, but in all honesty, he imagines this is how it would be to have a little brother.
He makes sure to help Peter with his homework (if he needs it. He struggles with history and English). Buck wakes up pretty early, so he wakes Peter up in time for school. Sometimes May is up and sometimes she’s not. He doesn’t bother her if she's passed out asleep. If she's passed out on the couch, he carefully picks her up and takes her into her bedroom.
Doing laundry is simple, but May has her own separate basket with her clothes in it that he respectfully does not touch.
Buck intended to go back into bartending, but most of those are nights, and with May’s hours sometimes bleeding into nights, he figured some job in the day would be better.
Peter pouts when he has to return to his internship, wanting to spend more time with Buck. The man laughs and ruffles Peter’s hair.
“Hey, adults gotta do adult responsible things. Like getting a job and saving money.”
“What kind of job are you looking for?” Peter asks.
Buck shrugs. “Not too sure. Maybe something temporary for now, to earn some money. I might want to do something with my degree in fire science. I also have my CNA license.” Buck thinks for a moment. “My cosmetology licenses expired.”
“Jesus, you just seem like a jack of all trades,” May comments.
“~and a master of none.” Buck sings songs depreciatingly.
May swats his hands when he tries to pick a spaghetti noodle from the pan she was cooking in. “Hey, I’m a nurse. I can find you a position where I work.”
“I was wanting something more daytime,” Buck says.
“Yeah, that might not happen,” May says, humming. “What about Home health care? People with loved ones are always working those office hours.”
“Or!!!! He can totally do something with his fire science degree!” Peter points out. “If only you got a degree in forensics. Can totally go into forensic science. Or a fire investigator. Or a fire marshal! I know there’s so many buildings that are not up to code. I have a classmate whose family member is one, and with it being a big city and people much rather do something more…uh hands-on? I guess there aren’t a whole lot of people with fire science degrees that go into stuff like being a Fire Marshal,” Peter says.
“You’re totally reading that from Google, aren’t you?” May teases.
“Maybe?”
Huh. He hadn’t thought of that.
“I-I don’t know. I don’t want them to be disappointed, you know?”
May startles him when she suddenly appears in front of him. She grabs his chin and raises it so they can see eye to eye. “Evan Buckley, you are not a disappointment. Do you understand me?”
“U-uh-”
May clears her throat and gives him a look.
“Y-yes ma’am,” he squeaks out.
“Say it.”
“What?”
“Say that you are not a disappointment,” May glares at him. She doesn’t release his chin.
He feels his face heat up.
“M’not a disappointment…” he mumbled.
“Ah-uh. Loud and clear, sweetie.”
“I’m not a disappointment,” he says louder, face flushing.
May smiles and pats the side of his face. “Good. Now, you’re going to apply to one of those jobs with either your CNA license or your fire science degree. I have some connections, and well, Peter manages to con quite a few important people that if he just makes his adorable face he gets them eating out of his hands. They owe him a favor, and they can hook you up with a nice job.”
“No, no. If I want to get a job, I want to do it with my own two hands, but thank you. I really appreciate it.” Buck answers honestly. “Hopefully, with my extensive resume, someone would be willing to hire me?”
“I’m sure someone would. Won’t know until you try it.”
Buck was getting a response back for a job as a fire marshal pretty quickly. He barely waited a few days, and in the meantime, looked up EMTs. He holds a CNA license; he could further pursue his education and become a paramedic.
Or a firefighter.
Being a firefighter sounded appealing. He likes the thrill, has nearly finished and completed his SEAL training, but backed out at the last minute. Perhaps he can apply after serving as a fire marshal for a while. He knows he needs money for the academy anyway.
Buck smiles, finally finding a career. Possibly. He knows he has too much energy to continue being a fire marshal, but it’ll get his foot through the door.
It was the weekend, so they scheduled an interview for Monday at 8:00 a.m.
“I got an interview!” Buck says happily.
May and Peter pop their head out of the kitchen, Peter going in to steal bacon and May, well, cooking. They both exclaimed. “Really?!”
“Yes, Fire Marshal. I figured I had spent so much time on my degree that I didn’t want to put it to waste, you know? And along the road, I can take more classes and be a paramedic, or at least have that up my sleeve. I-” Buck flushes with embarrassment. “-I really wanted to be a firefighter when I was a kid. Always thought they were pretty cool and amazing at what they could do.”
“Hey, that's a great goal! What time is your interview?” May asked.
“On Monday at-” Buck hears Peter’s laptop go off. He had been borrowing it to research job opportunities. “Uh, hold on —” he makes a confused face. “It’s the Fire Chief. I-” Buck’s face is neutral.
“They didn’t deny you, did they?” May said, getting angry already.
“No, no. It looks like a personal email. He just said that he’s looking forward to our interview, Monday morning.”
“Oh, thank god. It’s probably just a formal email after applying.”
Peter peers at the email.
“Usually for those more extensive jobs, you get at least two interviews,” Peter said.
“Right? You usually don’t get mail from your would-be boss until the second interview,” Buck explains.
“Whiiiiich means they are very impressed and looking forward to meeting you, quit being so doom and gloom like it’s a bad thing, Buck.” May threw the dish rag at him. “Now come on. We need to go out and celebrate!”
Celebrate?
“Oh, I mean nothing concrete yet. There’s still a small chance I won’t get it.”
“Come on, they are impressed. The fire chief will also conduct an extensive background check. If you’ve done anything else impressive, it’ll pop up.”
Buck winces. They will for sure see the time he went through SEAL training. He’s sure that's embarrassing.
“Now, celebrate. Come on, what do you want to do?” May asks.
Well.
“Well…I really love museums,” Buck says timidly.
“Ooh, we gotta go to the Museum of Natural History! Who doesn’t love seeing dinosaurs?!” Peter hops with excitement. “Then the museum of science?”
“Well, it is early. I’m sure we can go to both,” May puts her hands on her hips. “We’ll have time for both if you boys get ready.”
“Yes!” Peter hops over Buck and runs to his room to get ready. “Come on, Buck!” Peter exclaims.
“Coming, I’m coming!” Buck says. He glances at May. “Are…are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Sweetie, It’s going to make my day. Now come on.”