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It was too loud, too bright, just too much everything. Some guy had tried hitting on Buck a while ago. He would not take no for an answer. Buck should’ve expected this. This is what he got for being fucking gay, huh? It was like the universe was teasing him.
It was a hard shift. A kid ran away from home, found high under a bridge. He didn’t want to be saved. Buck had watched as he was wheeled into the hospital, the parents already waiting for him. He just looked so.. hurt and scared. Buck remembered the feeling a little too well.
Bobby had been giving him looks all afternoon. He eventually asked if Buck was okay. Bobby knew everything about the Buckley parents. It wasn’t any surprise that he was worried about the younger man.<
“I’m fine, Bobby. Thanks anyways.” he had said. Bobby left him alone. Buck secretly wish Bobby would’ve given him a hug or said some stupid cheesy line about how Buck was a good person and his parents didn’t define him.<
So he went and got drunk. At a gay bar. Because what the hell, he was bi and his parents didn’t get to choose who their son liked. That was Buck’s choice and he was so sick of feeling like a disappointment.
He got wasted, some guy tried hitting on him, everything was pounding. Shouldn’t have gotten drunk, huh, Buckley?
The bartender cut him off. “I think that’s too many, kid. Do you need me to call a cab? Or do you got someone?”
Buck shook his head. Who could he call? Eddie, Chim, Hen, they would all be busy with their kids. It was too late to call them. He could call Athena to avoid Bobby, but she would just tell him. They lived in the same house, for fuck’s sake.
“Mmmm, nah, I’ll justtt call my daad. He’s come pick me up.” Buck mumbled. He pulled out his phone and tapped call on Bobby’s contact.<
“Buck? Hey, kid. You alright?” He shuffled around and Buck knew he had woken him up. He cursed himself for that.
He heard Athena’s voice come through. “Bobby? What’s going on, baby?” she asked sleepily.
“Buck.” is all he said. Athena hummed knowingly.
“Buck, you there? What’s up?” Bobby asked again.
“‘mmm at bar. Guy, bartender guy dude said couldn’t get no more. He asked cab buuut I call you ‘stead.”<
Bobby sighed. “Alright, Buck. Where are you? I can come get you.”
Buck heaved out a sigh. “Dontown. Thhhhe gaaay bar. With all da big men. Strrrikerrs bar.”
Bobby laughed lightly. “Got it. Did you have fun, at least?”
Buck groaned on the other end of the phone. “Bobbbhy, soo many musckles, I feeel tuny. Need to gym soon.”
Buck heard the car starting from his phone. Phew Bobby was on his way. “Good to know, kid. Are you okay until we get there?”
Buck nodded, forgetting Bobby couldn’t see him. “Bar dude say he’s gonna keep eyes on me. I’ll be fine.”
“Alright Buck, see you soon, kid.” And he hung up. Buck slumped his head onto the cold tile on the bar. He groaned audibly.
“Dad on his way?” the bartender asked. Buck looked up.
“Mmm yep.” He rested his head on his elbows and heaved out another great sigh.
“You alright there, pal?” the bartender asked again.
“Whhhat’s your name?” Buck said, pointing at the man.
“Oh, I’m Robbie. I assume you’re Buck?”
Buck hummed. “Is it short for Robert?” he asked. Robbie nodded.
“You, you have the same name as my daad. But he’s Bobby instead of Robbie.” Buck laughed at himself. “That’s rhymes.” he giggled.
Robbie came out from behind the bar. “Let’s get you outside, huh? Get some fresh air. I’ll get water.”
Buck nodded lazily and tried standing up from the barstool. It didn’t work. His head spun and he fell, bonking his head on a table corner. Robbie set the cup of water down and rushed over to help Buck up.
“Ah, yowch. You alright, Buck?” Robbie had asked. Buck vision was going in and out. He groaned and sat in the nearest chair he could lay his hands on.
Robbie blotted the cut on his forehead and used the water to help clean it. They met eyes and Robbie smiled at him.
“You, you’re a nice ggguy, Robiiie, but this isn’t flirting, right? have, I have a, a, uh, I don’t know, he’s not my boyfriend, bu-but I like him. His’s name’s Eddie. You’re cute, but you’re not Eddie.” Buck tried explaining.
Robbie laughed at him. “I’m not flirting with you, just cleaning this so it doesn’t get infected. I hope you figure things out with your Eddie, though.”
Buck toothily grinned at that.
“C’mon, let’s get you some fresh air. I’ll walk with you so you don’t fall.” Robbie said. He swung his arm under Buck, holding him up, and the other arm holding a glass of water.
They sat at the curb of the parking lot, waiting for Bobby and Athena to arrive. Buck gulped down the whole cup of water within seconds, cracking Robbie up.
Buck noticed the red car that he knew as Athena’s. It parked and two figures got out. Buck’s vision was still hazy, and he didn’t recognize Bobby and Athena until they got closer.
“Hey, kid. You doing alright?” Bobby asked, softly. He knew Buck was probably pretty sensitive right now.
The kid looked up at Bobby. His face immediately lit up. “Bobbbbb! Heyyy. You’re here. Goooood, I want the home now.”
Robbie stood up. “Hi. You must be Buck’s parents? I’m Robbie, the bartender.” Bobby didn’t correct him, just shook his hand and said thank you.
Athena came over and shook Robbie’s hand as well. “I’m Bobby, this is my wife, Athena. How’s Buck doing? Not too much damage, I hope.”
Robbie sighed. “He tried standing earlier, hit his head on a table corner. I wiped the blood and put a band-aid on it already, but you might want to ice it later. I gave him a glass of water too, he knocked it down pretty quick. He’s one tough customer.”
Athena laughed. “That’s Buck alright. Thank you, for taking care of him until we got here.”
Robbie looked at her and smiled. “Course, he seemed like he had a rough day and just needed a friend. Thought I could help him out. He’s a good kid. I’m sure you’re both proud of him.”
Bobby and Athena both grinned. “That he is.” Bobby agreed.
“Thank you again, Robbie. I bet he really appreciated you doing that for him. You know, being a friend.”
Robbie laughed. “Yeah, of course. Made it pretty clear he wasn’t flirting with me. Said he had his Eddie to get back to.”
Athena gasped, laughing. “Oh my gosh” she said. Bobby chuckled with her. “At least drunk Buck knows that.”
Robbie gave them a confused look. “Buck and I, we work with Eddie. They’ve been pining after each other for years but neither one will make a move. They both say they’re straight. Buck just came out to us, tonight, actually.”
Robbie laughed again. “It doesn’t seem like you guys are surprised.”
Bobby raised his eyebrows. “Buck? Really? He’s not straight.”
They shared more laughs and helped Buck into the car. Bobby drove, while Athena hopped in the back with Buck. His head rested on her shoulder and he closed his eyes.
Buck was mumbling a bunch the whole way home. Athena couldn’t quite understand what he was trying to say, so she just listened.
Buck had shifted so his head was laying on Athena’s lap and she was combing her fingers through his hair. He leaned into her touch and her heart swelled.
Bobby watched the from the rearview mirror. He smiled and sighed, relieved that Buck was safer now that he and Athena picked him up.
“Mm hey, Bobby?” Bobby looked to the backseat.
“Yeah, kid, what’s up?”
Buck goofily smiled. “Thanks for comin’ to get me.”
“Of course, Buck. You can always call for me, and I’ll be there.”
Buck’s smile faltered. He grunted. Athena frowned, watching his expression change.
“Don’t like you very much, Bobbhey.”
Bobby frowned. “Why not, Buck? You just thanked me?”
He knew Buck was drunk and probably just thinking too much. He didn’t actually mean what he said.
“You’re toooo nice. You’re really good and, and you’re betterr. You should be meeeaneer so I don’t have to like yhou.”
Bobby chuckled. “I don’t wanna be mean, kid. That’s not very nice. Plus, I like when people like me. It makes things easier.”
Buck frowned. “Mmm no. You’re just too nice, and I!” He paused abruptly and sighed. “I think I love you, Bob.”
Bobby froze. Ohkay! This was an interesting conversation. Athena bursted out laughing, amused by her husband’s sudden reaction. He rolled his eyes at her.
“I love you too, Buck.” Then, in a quieter voice, “You’re gonna regret this so much in the morning.”
Buck closed his eyes and hummed softly.
“I wish you were my dad, Bobby.” The man started coughing when Buck said this. Athena had to check on him to make sure he wasn’t choking while driving.
After Bobby stopped, he asked, “Why, why do you say that, Buck?” Buck thought about it for a second.
Then, he said, “You’re better than him. I don’t like Phillip. He’s not nice. You are. And you care. I like that you care. It’s nice. You’re nice.”
Bobby swallowed. He wasn’t prepared for Buck’s honesty tonight. He expected a silly, drunken Buck that slurred every word. He hadn’t expected this Buck.
“I, uh.. I’m glad I can be better than Phillip. You, uhm, you deserve better than him. And, I do care about you, Buck. Always will.”
Buck grinned. “Thanks, Dad. Love you.”
Bobby froze again. His mouth turned to a straight line and he just stared ahead. Athena giggled at her husband’s reaction to all of this. It was fun to watch him and Buck when Buck got like this.
As she was laughing, she felt a hand reach up and cup her jaw. Athena looked down. Buck lazily rubbed a thumb across her cheek.
“And you.. I like having you as Mom. You’re Mom. I love my Mama.”
Athena froze just as Bobby had before. She didn’t say anything.
“Look who’s laughing now.” Bobby grumbled from the front seat. She shot him a playful glare.
Buck’s gaze was still on Athena. She looked down to meet his eye.
“Love you too, Buckaroo.”
He blinked. “‘m tired. Are we home yet?”
Bobby rolled his eyes. “Almost there, kid.” Buck sighs and gets more comfortable in Athena’s lap.
As Bobby pulls into the driveway, he sees that Buck’s already fast asleep. Athena gives him a look that says “You better help me get the 200-some pound man off me or else”. Bobby gives her a look that says “Well you know I have nice muscles but not enough to get a whole entire Buck off of you” in return.
She sighs. “Well, don’t just stand there!” she whisper-shouts. Bobby looks around like he’s trying to find an answer from the trees.
He slaps his thighs. “Alright, I’m just gonna try to-” He makes a sort of groaning/whining noise as he tries to lift Buck. Buck stirs and he blinks once, twice, and gazes at Bobby.
“Mmm Dad, we home yet?” he mumbles.
Bobby sighs in relief that he won’t have to pick up a sleeping lump of a Buck and he grins.
“Yeah, kid, we’re home. You wanna stand up so I can help you into the house, buddy?”
Buck nods lazily and pushes himself up and off Athena’s lap. He almost rams his head straight into the roof of the car, but luckily Athena is there to steady the boy.
“I got you, Buckaroo, just follow Bobby. You’re alright.” She coos.
Buck does what he’s told and falls into the arms of the his captain and Bobby does the rest by practically dragging him into the Grant-Nash’s warm house.
Athena sits with him at the kitchen counter and coaxes Buck to get a few bits of bread down so his stomach isn’t entirely empty before he goes to bed. She urges a few more cups of water along with it help the bread down into his sensitive digestive system.
Bobby’s busy getting the guest bedroom set up with clean sheets and pillowcases so Buck will sleep comfortably tonight.
When Athena leads Buck into the guest room, he doesn’t waste a second before flopping down onto the mattress and getting cozy. The couple watch him from the doorway, amused by his drunken behavior.
“You gonna sleep in those clothes tonight, Buck?” Bobby asks.
A stubborn groan comes from the kid’s throat.
“Too tired.” Buck mumbles.
Bobby kneels down next to the bed frame. “I’ll help you put on some more comfy clothes if you’d like?”
Buck nodded into the fabric of the pillow and groaned heavily as Bobby tried helping him up. The two men disappeared into the bathroom with Bobby holding a pair of his own boxers, sweatpants, and a t-shirt for the kid to change into.
Athena, who was left to her own devices, fluffed up the pillows a little extra, spread out the blanket a little further, and filled up a glass of water for Buck if he ever needed it, while Bobby worked his parental magic in the bathroom.
“Buck, can you lift your arms for me?” He did. Bobby slowly reached for the fabric of the t-shirt on his stomach and pulled it up and over his outstretched arms. He slipped a different t-shirt over Buck’s shoulders and smoothed it down.
Next was Buck’s pants. It was a bit of a bigger line to cross to take off Buck’s pants.
“Hey, Buck? Is it alright if I help you take off your pants?” Bobby asked softly.
Buck nodded and grabbed the bathroom counter for support. Bobby slid the fabric at Buck’s thighs down to his knees and coaxed the kid to step out of the leg holes, one foot at a time. It was a good thing Buck was holding onto something, otherwise he might’ve just toppled right over.
And, next was the boxers. This was probably the most awkward and uncomfortable part for them both, but it was necessary for Buck to feel less icky after being drunk.
“Kid, hey. Can you look at me for a second?” Bobby asked. Buck’s eyes lazily followed up to Bobby’s eyes and he nodded.
“Wha’s up?” he slurred.
“I know this is gonna be weird, but I need to know if you’re okay with me taking off your boxers. I’m only going to put a clean pair on afterwards.”
Buck looked a bit confused for a second before he nodded again. “You.. You can do that, it’s okay. I’m kinda.. sweaty down there, though. An’ tired.”
Bobby chuckled at the drunken responses and continued to pull the remaining piece of fabric off Buck’s body before putting a pair of his own boxers on the kid. He instructed Buck to slip on foot into the sweatpants leg holes, just as he did before and faced the other direction so he could pee in somewhat private.
When the two emerged from the bathroom, Athena sat on the edge of the bed, fidgeting with a corner of the blanket. She jumped up when she saw a freshly clothed Buck and helped him get settled under the covers.
“Do you need anything? Water? Tylenol? More or less blankets?” Athena listed off.
“Mmm, nooope, just tired.” Buck mumbled.
Athena smiled down at the sleepy man and raked a hand through his curls.
“Alright, would you like us to stay with you?”
“Mmhm.. where’s Dad?”
“Dimming the lights and locking all the doors so no monsters will get you while you’re sleeping, baby.”
Buck let out a small giggle and leaned in closer to Athena’s body.
“Will you snuggle with me?” Buck asked carefully.
“Of course I will, Buckaroo. I would love to snuggle with you.” Athena murmured and laid herself down in front of Buck.
He instantly curled up into her chest and rested his head right on her heart. Buck stayed there, listening to the beats as his breathing slowly evened out and his grip on Athena’s shirt loosened.
Bobby stepped back into the guest room to find a sound asleep Buck and an almost sound asleep Athena. He smiled at the sight and buried himself on the other side of Buck’s body.
“I love you, Athena, I love you, Buck..” he whispered into the night.