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As they stumble into Buck’s house after their 48 hour shift, light low from the early sunset, neither of them holding themselves up properly, exhaustion hitting them the second they hit the threshold.
“Chris’ bus gets back at 4?” Buck asks, like a question even though Eddie knows he already knows, he gives him a gentle nod in reply, rubbing a hand over his face to stop from falling asleep standing up.
Buck checks his watch, “We’ve got 4 hours, come on.” Buck says, grabbing Eddie’s wrist, the place he could grab with the least amount of effort.
They trail into Buck's bedroom, slipping off their jeans and T-shirts, Buck puts on some joggers and a hoodie, Eddie a vest top and some shorts Buck lets him borrow.
This is a practiced routine they’ve had for a couple weeks now, Eddie will follow Buck home, they get comfortable in bed and sleep for as long as they could before having to actually be adults.
It’s exactly what they’d do if they went home separately, to their retrospective house, but together is better.
It started after a tough shift, a kid got hit by a car, couldn’t of been older than 15, it hit Eddie hard, Buck too, but he didn’t care about himself, he cared about how Eddie was shaking slightly while helping put on the c-collar but especially when he found Eddie sobbing behind the firetruck.
“Hey, hey.” Buck said, running up and tucking Eddie's head on his shoulder, “you’re okay, I’ve got you.” He quietly whispered.
“I’m sorry, I don’t,” hiccup, “I don’t know why, it's just…” Eddie tries to explain through his sobs.
“Come on, our shift is over when we get back to the firehouse. We can go to mine till Chris gets home?” Buck tells him, wiping away the tears from his cheeks.
Eddie nods, holding onto Buck’s hand for comfort, he doesn’t let go until they are jumping out the truck and heading to the locker rooms, everyone else goes to shower and change but both of them just grab their bags and leave, meeting on Buck’s front porch a little later.
Eddie didn’t move much, Buck had to guide him into the bedroom, he could tell that call had got to him, so he’ll take care of him, god knows that’s the least he can do.
“Clothes off, here.” Buck gave him some shorts and an old LAFD shirt.
“What are we doing Buck?” Eddie muttered softly, stripping his clothes off and pulling the comfy ones on.
“Sleeping?” Buck chuckles, “what do you normally do after a 48 hour shift?”
“Oh, okay.” Eddie said, he sounded sad, he wasn’t, well he was but not because of what Buck said.
Buck looked at him concerned before turning around and stripping his clothes off too, chucking them in the general direction of the laundry hamper, missing entirely. Eddie tucks himself into the duvet, the side closest to the door because Buck always likes being further away from the door.
Once Buck is dressed he climbs in next to Eddie, staying sat up against the headboard, looking at Eddie expectingly, “Come here.” He says dramatically like Eddie could’ve understood from just his eyebrows (to be fair, normally he can.)
Eddie shuffled closer, Buck wrapped his arms around him, pulling him even closer, it didn’t feel weird or awkward, it just felt like Buck.
“Sleep.” Buck said firmly, nicely though.
“Bossy.” Eddie chuckles lightly, settling his head on Buck’s chest, just next to his heart.
And it continued like that.
Which is how they got here today.
They both cuddle up in bed, warmer under the blanket together than they would be alone.
Eddie sets his alarm for 3:45pm, so he’ll have just enough time to leave to pick Chris up from the bus.
Then they finally fall asleep, breathing in sync.
__
Eddie’s alarm rattled though the still air like it needed to be noticed.
Eddie leans forward to the nightstand turning off the alarm, Buck still attached to his back, arms across his chest.
Eddie pats his arm, “Up Buckley. I need to go.” He gently nudges.
Buck huffs in reply, the air tickling the back off Eddie’s neck. “Fine. Leave me cold and alone.” He dramatically sighs, flopping over to unravel from Eddie.
“Chris and I can come back for dinner if you want? He doesn’t have school tomorrow so we could stay.” Eddie suggests.
Buck pretends to think about it. “Well I guess the pizza I bought for Chris needs to be used at some point, I’ll get the spare bed ready for Chris.” As he rounds the bed, getting closer into Eddie’s space.
“Where am I gonna sleep?” Eddie asks, half joking, half serious.
“Haha mr funny, leave.”
“I’m cold.”
Buck gasps, “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say the words, ‘I’m cold.’”
“I can be cold, it’s warm when we’re all wrapped up together, I’m cold.” Eddie definitely doesn’t pout.
“Put a hoodie on then?” Buck says, his eyebrow raising.
“I don’t have one. You know who does?” Eddie asks, pulling on the strings of Buck's hoodie.
“Oh I do wonder.” Buck laughs softly.
“Buck,” Eddie whines, dragging out the syllable, “give me something to wear.” Pushing him gently by the shoulders.
Buck laughs at him, going to his wardrobe and pulling out his pink cardigan.
“Oh I like that one.” Eddie says, reaching out his hand to grab it before Buck snatches it away.
“Nevermind, I won’t get it back if you like it.” Buck sighs, shaking his head.
“Name one item of clothing I’ve not given back to you.” Eddie asks, folding his arms over his chest.
“My jeans, that denim jacket, multiple flannels, 4 of my LAFD T-shirts, a few tank tops, I think those socks are mine.” Buck lists, looking at Eddie’s feet.
“Okay, okay, I get it. But I promise I’ll give it back, swear I’ll bring it back later.” Eddie pleads, eyes wide, brown gems shining at Buck.
Buck gives in, how could he not. “Fine, bring it back.” Passing the cardigan to Eddie, him putting it on slowly.
It drowns his shoulder and arms, it's fluffy, soft, smells like Buck, like home. Okay Eddie needs to leave.
“Thank you, see you in an hour?” Eddie says walking back though the house
“I’ll be here.” Buck replies following him.
As they walk towards the door Buck looks over to the couch. “Eddie. Your hoodie is right there.” he sighs with a laugh.
“oh is it? I didn't notice.” Eddie says smugly.
Buck rolls his eyes. “Go, see you later.” with a smile as he heads to the linen closet for Chris sheets, Eddie heading out the front door.
40 minutes later
Buck is in the kitchen, cutting up some cucumber for Chris when he hears the front door opening fast.
“Buck? Buck?” Eddie shouts, Buck walks quickly through the room.
“Hey, where’s Chris?" Buck asks, confused.
“Fuck, he’s not here? You’re sure he isn’t here?” Eddie asks, panting like he’s just been running.
“Eddie what’s happening? You just went to pick him up from the bus.” Buck is growing concerned.
“The driver said he never even got on the bus. The school said he isn’t there. I don’t know where he is.” Eddie tells Buck panicked.
“Okay, I'll call Hen, maybe he went to Denny's and forgot to tell us. I promise we’ll find him.” Buck tells him, pulling his phone from his pocket, walking with Eddie to the dining table, sitting across from each other.
“Hey Hen, is Chris with you?” Buck asks, he tries to school his expression when Hen says no so Eddie doesn’t panic more.
“Okay thank you.” Buck sighs.
“He isn’t there.” Buck tells Eddie, who immediately jumps up, Buck following. “Eddie, Denny said he saw him speaking to someone but didn’t see who.”
Eddie's face goes pale, “Shit.” he mutters, tears forming in his eyes, “Fuck, what the fuck do I do Buck?”
“Okay, you need to breathe Eddie." Buck tells him, hands placed on his shoulders
“I can’t fucking breathe Buck, my son is missing, and not knowing where he is, is terrifying.” Eddie yells, Buck knows it’s not directed to him though.
“Eddie, I know how it feels to lose him, please trust me, we are going to find him. Let’s call Athena, she’ll be able to help.” Buck tells him.
“Okay. Athena.”
“Hey Buckeroo, everything okay?” Athena says on speaker phone.
“Hey Athena, not really.” Buck coughs looking at Eddie. “I’m with Eddie, Chris didn’t get on his school bus and he isn’t answering his phone. I called Hen and she said he’s not there but Denny saw him talking to someone but couldn’t see who.” He explains, gripping Eddie's hand that was shaking on the table.
“Okay, could he have gone with another friend?” Athena suggests.
“He would call me first, or sometimes he’ll come home and ask me to drop him off, he never goes anywhere without telling me.” Eddie tells her, “and I know he’s 15, he might have just gone out with his friends but Athena I’m telling you something isn’t right here.”
“Eddie, I believe you, you’re trusting your gut, that’s what all parents do. Have you got any tracking apps or anything for his phone, just something to see his last location or anything?” Athena asks.
Buck and Eddie look at each other, Eddie grabbing his phone. “We do, us three have a life360 for emergencies, Eddie’s looking now.”
Eddie opens the app and Buck watches his eyebrows furrow, “He’s at home? How did he get home?” Eddie shoots up grabbing his keys.
“Eddie you go over, be careful, Buck go with him, call me if you need anything else, let me know the kid is okay please.” Athena tells them.
“Thank you, Athena.” Buck says, hanging up the phone and running with Eddie to his truck.
The whole way Eddie stays barely under the speed limit, Buck constantly trying to get Chris to answer the phone with no luck.
They swing round into Eddie’s drive, the car barely stopping when they both jump out, running to the front door. Eddie opens it, already unlocked.
“Chris?” They yell at the same time.
“Yeah?” Chris replies from the couch, confused by how fast they ran into the house.
“Where the hell have you been mijo?” Eddie huffs, more concerned than angry, scooping Chris into his arms and hugging him.
“At school?” Chris says more confused.
“How did you get home? You didn’t get on the bus.” Buck asks, Eddie still hugging Chris, his breathing returning back to normal.
“Abigail picked me up.” Eddie’s whole body tense, looking over to Buck. “She said you were busy at work and asked her to get me.” Chris explains obviously noticing Eddie’s body shift.
Eddie pulls back, clutching Chris’ shoulders. “Buck.” He says.
“I’m calling her.” He says walking into the other room with his phone, understanding what Eddie means.
“What’s going on? Who’s he calling?” Chris asks.
“Athena.” Eddie inhales a deep breath. “Chris, I never asked Abigail to pick you up. If I had I would’ve told you. She did that by herself.”
“Oh.” Is all Chris says, realising the means for panic.
“When the bus driver said you didn’t get on I thought something bad happened. Are you okay? She didn’t hurt you or anything?” Eddie asks, lifting Chris sleeves to check for bruises.
“No, I’m fine. We just got in her car and she dropped me off here. Nothing else. She was a bit antsy but I didn’t think anything of it. Sorry Dad.” Chris says sadly.
Eddie pulls him back into a hug. “No, don’t apologise mijo, I’m just glad you’re okay. And please, unless I specifically tell you otherwise never ever get in anyone else’s car. Promise me?” Eddie firmly tells him, meeting his eyes so he knows he’s listening.
“I promise. Sorry Dad.” Chris smiles softly.
“Stop apologising.” Eddie smiles, finally relieved his kid is safe.
“Athena said that since he’s okay we can file reports tomorrow if we want or just go down tonight.” Buck says coming back in the room. Eddie standing from his crouched position in front of Chris.
“Let’s do it today. Get it done before the weekend.” Eddie says with a nod.
“What, like a police report?” Chris asks.
“Yeah bud, technically Abigail abducted you. Even if she did bring you home. She didn’t have legal rights to do so.” Buck explains, Chris nodding to show he understands.
“Okay, we’ll head down to the station, go pack a bag bud, we’re staying at Buck’s tonight.” Eddie smiles, ruffling his hand through Chris' hair.
“Are we having pizza?” Chris asks, looking at Buck.
“With extra cheese and pepperoni, your majesty." Buck mocks, bowing dramatically.
Chris giggles as he heads to his room, shutting the door.
Buck stands back up from his bow, back cracking as he does.
He turns back to Eddie. He looks like he’s about to vomit.
“Hey Eds.” Buck says softly, stepping closer to Eddie.
Eddie takes a big step back, almost hitting the coffee table. “No.”
“Eddie? Chris is okay!” Buck says in a cheery voice, hoping to wash the green hue off Eddie’s face. “He’s home. We’ve got him.”
“No, this is my fault, I should’ve been there.” Eddie says, hand on his chest, pulling at his shirt.
“Eddie. You were. You went to pick him up from the school bus like normal. That’s where you were meant to be.” Buck calmly, stepping a small step closer hoping Eddie won’t notice and fall backward over the table.
“No. I could’ve picked him up from school. I wasn’t working. I should’ve been there.” Eddie says, his eyes directly on Buck’s, fear overwhelming them.
“You needed to sleep Eddie. You had a 48 hour shift, you know you wouldn’t want to drive with Chris in the car on little to no sleep. You had to do that.” Buck tells him.
“Yeah I could’ve done that here!” He yells, not directed at Buck, “instead I what? Decided I had to be in your bed, in your arms? I didn’t need to do that. Begging for a cardigan? No! I don’t deserve that. My son could’ve got hurt or…” he pauses his rant, “worse.” this time a whisper.
“Eddie.” Buck walks fast this time, hands flying to Eddie’s waist before Eddie has a chance to react.
He’s avoiding Buck’s eyes, but Buck connects them quickly.
“Nothing. And I mean absolutely nothing could’ve stopped this.” Buck says. “Wether you slept here or at mine. If you picked Chris up from school today, do you think Abigail wouldn’t try again?”
Eddie shakes his head, “she probably would’ve tried again.”
“Exactly, when you could’ve been on shift. At least this way we can stop it before it spirals.” Buck nods, both eyes still fixed together.
“I should've kept him safe.” Eddie mumbles, bottom lip wobbling, eyes pooling with tears.
Buck immediately pulls him into him, Eddie’s tears rolling down his cheeks, collecting on Buck’s shoulder. He’s blubbering into him, hands tightly gripping to Buck’s hoodie.
“You did. He is safe. He will always be safe, no matter what.” Buck says, stroking his hand up Eddie’s, his own, cardigan.
“And Eddie.” Buck whispers into Eddie’s ear. “You deserve everything this world has to offer you. And what is it offering you is you in my bed, in my arms? Then I’m gonna side with the world on this one.” Buck chuckles, pulling Eddie away, wiping the tears off his cheek with his thumb.
Eddie has a quiet smile on his face, nothing anyone else would notice, this is just for Buck.
“I shouldn’t get to though. I don’t need it.” Eddie sighs.
“But do you want it?” Buck asks.
Eddie stares deeply into his eyes, trying to find something. Buck assumes whatever it is he found, Eddie is pushing forward kissing Buck quickly.
His lips taste like watermelon, the lip balm Buck bought him last week.
Buck isn’t one for watermelon flavours, but he’s one for Eddie.
He’d swim through thousands of tsunamis if it meant they got to this moment right now.
They pull away smiling, foreheads connecting.
“Have you guys stopped being weird or should I wait in here for a minute?” They hear Chris yell from his room.
Buck looks at Eddie, quickly pecking his lips one more time.
They still have the brightest grins on their faces, “You can come out!” Buck shouts, stepping slightly out of Eddie’s space.
As Chris is coming out of his room Buck turns around to see if Eddie is still smiling like him. But he isn’t.
He’s frowning at the space Buck left between them.
“Eddie?” Buck asks, confused.
“The world obviously doesn’t want me in your arms that much.” He says with a dramatic sigh and eye roll.
“Oh my god.” Buck laughs, stepping back into Eddie’s space arm looping round his back, kissing his temple, Eddie’s smile back on his face.
“Oh, you guys are about to get so much more annoying.” Chris sighs.
“We’ll kiss again if you start.” Eddie says, fake stern voice.
“Ew gross. I’d rather get abducted again.” Chris jokes.
Buck stifles a laugh, Eddie’s jaw drops gasping. “Dios mio! Christopher!” Eddie shouts with a chuckle, shaking his head, but Chris is already walking out the front door, his bag left next to it, cause Buck always carries his bag.
“He gets his dark humor from you!” Eddie sighs.
“Hey! We both get dark sometimes.” Buck laughs, going to pick up Chris’ bag, Eddie’s hand slipping into Buck seamlessly , like it’s a practiced every day thing.
Their kid, them, pizza nights.
The Buckley-Diaz family, finally puzzled together.