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He loves Buck, he loves Buck, he loves Buck.
Bobby tries to remind himself of that every time he gets that damn phone call for Buck’s emergency contact.
The only reason that he’s freaking out is because… he loves him.
He’s his kid, and he loves him.
And yet, there’s a part of him as he rushes to the hospital and asks, “So, how is he?” to Hen who’s in the waiting room already having been on the call with him, that kind of wants to strangle him into not getting his ass hurt.
Theo is beside him, looking nervous. It hasn’t been that long since Buck took over guardianship and considering the way he lost his parents… he’s probably worried about more turmoil in his life.
“It’s just a cut that needed stitches,” Hen offers. “I just wanted to stay with him or for him until you could arrive.”
“What happened? A call?”
Hen laughs. “Something about a failure to follow your kitchen safety rules. He accidently cut himself with a very deep knife.”
Bobby takes a deep breath. “We’ll have to talk to him about that, won’t we, Theo?”
“Yeah!”
He’s too young to really know what he’s asking, but Hen nods and gives him a hug. “Don’t worry too much. He’s going to fine.”
She leaves without another word leaving him to wait on Buck, and at least he’s much calmer than he’d been a few minutes ago.
Because he’s Buck – he’s going to be fine.
He always is.
***
“So… when are you going to yell at me?” Buck asks, teasingly, as he watches Bobby cook him and Theo dinner. Determined, as he always is, to take care of Buck even for something as silly as a cut with a few stitches.
He still remembers his overzealous hovering when his leg got crushed and after the lightning strike. Not that he can complain considering that Bobby’s return had definitely made Buck a bit of a Mother Hen for weeks.
And, well, becoming a dad to Theo had certainly helped him understand Bobby’s hovering a bit better.
Bobby shakes his head. “It was an accident, accidents happen. We’re just going to spend some time talking about some general kitchen safety.”
“I know all about kitchen safety, Bobby. I just… got distracted,” Buck admits. There had been a gorgeous guy that they had rescued the other day that came by the house offering pastries and Buck kinda thought he was flirting with him.
He kinda wanted him to be, even if Buck’s got enough going on these days with a four-year-old and still trying to make peace with thinking he lost Bobby only for Bobby to come back.
“By what?” Bobby questions with a quirk of his brow.
“A hot guy,” Buck admits. “He was, uh, dropping off a thank you and I – I thought he was flirting with me. Felt good.”
Bobby offers him a smile. “I know that sometimes being a single parent makes dating hard, but I wouldn’t mind watching him when you’re not on shift if you’re looking to date.”
Buck shakes his head. “It’s not about what I want. This whole thing is too new to add someone else into it.”
Bobby nods in understanding. “Maybe someday?”
“Maybe,” Buck agrees. “He was really cute though.”
“Well, maybe if he comes around again, you can give him a chance,” Bobby offers. “But also, maybe don’t flirt with a knife in your hands.”
Buck laughs just as Theo comes running in showing off his clean hands and Bobby begins putting the chili he made into bowls. “I’ll try.”
“Good. Dinner’s ready.”
“Good.”
***
The guy does come by again a few weeks later, and Buck makes a point not to nearly hurt himself again as he flirts with the guy.
And it feels good.
So good that Buck nearly wants to ask him out, but he’s quickly distracted by Theo running into the firehouse, Bobby chasing after him. Theo’s quicker than he looks and Buck doesn’t hesitate to squat down and open his arms ready to receive him.
“Dad, dad,” he babbles as he holds up what’s clearly a painting he made. “Pops and I made you a firetruck!”
He smiles at the painting of a – well, he said firetruck, but it looks more like red blobs – that has 118 colored on it. “It’s wonderful, kiddo.”
“It’s for your locker,” Bobby offers as he catches up, breathing heavily. “Sorry, he couldn’t wait for shift to end.”
Buck laughs. “Or you’re just having trouble letting go and really couldn’t resist –”
“CAP!” Hen and Ravi yell, gaining their attention.
“I retired!” Bobby yells, but it’s futile. They’re too excited to see their captain (if only a captain in their hearts).
The guy he’d been chatting with looks a bit awkward, but he’s smiling. “So…”
“Oh, right, Bobby,” Buck says. “This is Jake, Jake this is Bobby this is my old captain and kinda dad, and this is my son, Theo.”
Jake gives a smile. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
Bobby nods at him with a smile as Theo goes running off again, and starts to chase him, too.
“Uh, I should –” Buck gestures widely after them and Jake nods.
“You’re busy, but uh, if you’re ever not busy… maybe give me a call?”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good.”
***
He does think about it.
He thinks about it a lot.
Then, he asks Bobby if he should give it a try.
“Of course you should, we don’t know that he’ll be forever, but you are welcome to try – I know you want that.”
“I do,” Buck admits. “But I have Theo to consider…”
“Single parents date all the time – being a parent on his own never stopped Eddie after all,” Bobby says, gently. “And I’m happy to help you anytime you need it because you deserve it.”
Buck smiles. “Thanks, Bobby, that means a lot.”
Bobby gives him a reassuring smile and Buck knows, maybe it’s not a forever thing, but he’s happy that he can have it all because as Bobby says… he deserves it and that feels pretty damn good.