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Buck’s been single far too long – and single in a way that doesn’t involve a lot of dates. Largely because having a kid kinda takes up a lot of his time. He gets now why Maddie or Hen or Eddie always took him up on his offers to babysit whenever he was feeling a little blue (the kids are great for cheering him up).
Now, though, he’s that parent that hasn’t exactly had much time for dating lately. He’s too busy taking care of Theo and having playdates and working, when he’s not able to be with him.
Thankfully, he has a great support system, and Bobby’s return has led to some encouragement to give dating a try, again.
Which is why as he steps out of his room to find Bobby playing with Theo and his little toy cars which include firetrucks, which he’s come to adore since Buck took custody.
Bobby glances up at him with a smile.
“You clean up nice,” he compliments.
“Thanks,” Buck says. “It’s no suit and tie like it’d been with Abby, but I like to look nice for a first date.”
Bobby gives him a grin. “Kids grow up so fast.”
“Ha, ha, very funny,” Buck says, with an eyeroll, as he squats down and accepts Theo’s hug. “I better go but if –”
Bobby laughs. “I think Theo and I can handle things by ourselves, right, kiddo?”
“Yeah!” Theo cheers, always excited to spend extra time with Bobby.
Buck laughs. “Thanks for this, Bobby.”
“Anytime, kid.”
***
The date went well.
Like the kind of well that if he didn’t have a kid at home would’ve absolutely ended up in his bedroom having the night of their lives.
As it is, he does have a kid at home, and he knows Bobby’s waiting up for him, so he leaves his dad with a deep, lingering kiss and a promise for another date before heading home.
He slides his key into the lock and sure enough, Bobby’s sitting on the couch, doing the crossword. Theo’s asleep with his head in Bobby’s lap, and it’s honestly one of the sweetest things that he’s ever seen.
It really makes him smile.
“How was he?” he asks, softly so as not to wake him.
“He was great, as always,” Bobby answers with a smile. “He’s so much like a mini-you it’s uncanny.”
Buck chuckles. “How come you didn’t put him to bed?”
“He wouldn’t let me, he really wanted you to put him to bed,” Bobby offers, eyes bright.
“Give me a few minutes? I’ll put him to sleep and then I can see you off?”
“Of course.”
***
Bobby can’t help the way he smiles as he watches Buck tuck Theo into bed. Years of babysitting and working with kids has helped prepared him for this, but it’s still a treat.
Watching him tuck him in, kissing his forehead, wishing him a good night.
It’s perfect and sweet and Bobby loves it. Buck has grown up so much since they first met, and he couldn’t be prouder of him if he tried.
He misses Buck turning around and looking at him until he whispers, “Well, don’t you look like a proud papa.”
Bobby laughs, shaking his head as he leads the way out into the living room. “Sorry, kid, I just – I realized how grown up you are. It’s stupid because you were already an adult when we met, but you’ve changed a lot in the last ten years and I’m proud of you.”
Buck flushes clearly pleased. “Thanks, Bobby.”
“How was your date?”
“Good, great, even,” Buck admits, as he moves about the living room cleaning up toys.
“Oh? You want to tell me about him,” Bobby offers as he helps clean up, too.
“Nah, I don’t want to keep you – you already spend so much time as my babysitter,” Buck offers with a shrug as if he feels like he’s somehow putting Bobby out letting him babysit what is essentially his grandson.
“Buck,” he lightly admonishes. “You know that I want to be here, watching over Theo for you. And I want to hear about your date because I care about you.”
Buck hums, and shrugs. “I – it’s just, I worry about burdening you too much sometimes. It hasn’t been that long since you came back and I’m conscripting all of your time and –”
“And I want to be here with you and Theo,” Bobby interjects. “And I have the ability to say no if I don’t want to do this, but I do – you and Athena seem to have this same issue where you want to make up for lost time, but you’re afraid that you’re forcing me to do something that I don’t want to do. Well, guess what? I want to be here – taking care of Theo, listening to dating woes, getting to spend time with you.” He takes a deep breath because it hurts to think that both Buck and Athena somehow think they’re being selfish when it comes to him. “I was gone for a year, and every day I thought… if I can make it through this – survive and come home – then I would make the most of whatever time I have left doing what I want with the people I love.”
Buck looks a little teary as he swallows hard and throws his arms around Bobby’s shoulders. Bobby’s arms come up around his back, holding on tight.
He knows that it hurt… a lot. That both Buck and Athena struggled with his supposed loss and were still struggling a bit with him being back.
Buck finally lets go, stepping back and clearing his throat. “I know – I just … sometimes I let other people get into my head.”
Bobby hums. “Well, ignore those idiots. You and I both know that this is where I want to be.”
“Thanks, Pops.”
He grins. “So… about that date?”
Buck laughs and shakes his head. “Is it too soon to say that I found the future Mister Buckley?”
Bobby throws his head back and laughs. “Maybe one date is a little early, but I’d love to hear more about just how awesome this date must’ve been for you to feel that way.”
Buck grins. “I could go on and on about him if you want.”
“And I’d be happy to hear it.”
“Good.”
And it was a great night chatting about Theo, Buck and the future Mister Buckley.
Bobby wouldn’t have it any other way.