Chapter Text
Okay, Eddie wasn’t completely crazy but he really missed his Buck. Chris was never at home these days and Eddie really didn’t want to overstep with Buck and Theo. Even though he spent all his time with them he tried to find something else to occupy him rather than being in his best friend’s orbit for 24/7.
He was being responsible.
He was letting Buck figure the single dad thing on his own but was always right there when Buck asked him for advice.
He needed something to take his mind off from the fact that he couldn’t just come unannounced at Buck’s like he used to – he could and he did, he did that this morning actually and Buck didn’t even bat an eye, because that was something they did since forever. It was just the fact that his stupid little brain tried to convince him that he shouldn’t impose on Theo’s routine now that Buck has finally got it together.
Theo didn’t mind Eddie imposing on his routine, he welcomed it.
Buck didn’t mind Eddie always being there, he just chuckled every time Eddie waltzed through his door with a box of warm cinnamon rolls and another Spider Man trinket for Theo.
But Eddie had to stop with that. Just because his own son was growing up that didn’t mean that he was being left alone – abandoned.
Hell, he loved how Christopher was independent and how colourful his social life was.
But Eddie was feeling lonely, everybody could see that.
They told him he should start dating since he basically had an empty house, and with Christopher going to college in the near future it would make sense.
Which, first of all – ew! – Eddie should really think about why the first thought about him dating someone pulled that reaction out of it but that was a conversation for future Eddie to have.
He didn’t see one perk of him going back to dating. Even more so, if he did do it that would cut his already short hours he got to spent with Buck, Chris and Theo.
So, dating was a hell no on his part of the equation.
Hence, the dog.
A cute dog.
A dog he rescued from a god damn volcano.
A hero dog.
So, when he decided to name him, he naturally had one name in mind for a hero dog saved from a life-threatening emergency of epic proportions with a cute patch over his left eye.
He didn’t care that everyone was going to make fun of him.
He also knew that Buck would think it was cute.
So, what the hell.
‘’But Eddie, you hate dogs,’’ Buck says concerned sitting on the edge of the loft’s couch cradling a mug of coffee between his hands and looking at Eddie like he lost his damn mind.
Which, fair – maybe he did.
Eddie shrugs his shoulders and takes a sip of his coffee. ‘’I don’t hate dogs.’’
Chim, Harry, Ravi and Hen all sitting around the loft immediately drop whatever they’re doing and look at him in disbelief.
‘’You hated Blaze,’’ Buck narrows his eyes.
Eddie huffs out annoyed. ‘’I didn’t hate Blaze,’’ he says unconvincingly.
Chim snorts. ‘’No, you were just jealous of him.’’
Eddie shifts on his seat while everyone shares pointed looks and laugh under their breaths.
‘’I wasn’t jealo… Buck isn’t Blaze. Buck is kind and steals my treats and … You know, wakes me up in the crack of dawn to go on a run with him. And he’s you know,’’ Eddie moves his hand in the air. ‘’Distinguished. Distinguished little gentlemen Buck.’’
Chim almost drops the mug he was holding. Harry gasps with his mouth wide open looking at Eddie like he just said he invented electricity. Hen just shakes her head in disbelief and tries composing herself before erupting in full blown laughter.
Eddie doesn’t know what Buck is doing because he’s really trying not to look at his best friend right now.
Ravi is the one to finally say something.
‘’Buck?’’
Buck points a finger at his chest. ‘’Me?’’
Eddie shakes his head. ‘’No, the dog,’’ he takes another sip of his coffee and looks at everyone over the rim of his mug.
‘’The dog?’’ Harry asks confused, brows furrowing.
Ravi gasps finally realizing. ‘’Oh, no.’’
Yup, and there it is. Eddie can see the gears turning in Ravi’s head.
‘’You named the dog Buck?’’ Ravi asks in disbelief.
‘’Yeah, why?’’ Eddie is still hiding behind his mug, eyes scanning everyone but Buck sitting next to him trying to be as composed and chill as he can.
Spoiler alert, he’s everything but chill right now.
‘’Really Eddie, why?’’ Hen rolls her eyes and teases.
‘’And how are you going to discern when talking between the human Buck and the dog Buck?’’ Ravi asks brows still furrowed in confusion.
Eddie shrugs his shoulders again and leaves the mug on the table. ‘’Well, if I say that Buck licked his balls all day long you’d know which Buck I’m referring to.’’
Everyone shares a pointed look and Eddie melts further in the couch cushions with hands over his chest. ‘’You know what, shut up,’’ he says annoyed.
Everyone starts laughing at that and Hen finally stands up flicking Chim on the back of his head because he was already on his phone undoubtedly texting Maddie about it.
‘’Don’t tease the man who misses his best friend,’’ she says and taps Eddie’s shoulder when she passes him over to the kitchen.
Eddie groans and tries to hide in his hands.
‘’Oh Eds, you miss me that bad?’’ Buck says in a small but teasing voice and that is when Eddie finally looks at him.
He’s flushed and he’s been twisting the end of his shirt between his fingers and is looking at Eddie in that way that makes Eddie all his insides melt a little.
He chooses to ignore it.
Or, ignore it the best he can.
‘’I don’t miss you,’’ he says but Buck chuckles because Eddie wasn’t convincing anyone at that point.
‘’Dude, you literally adopted a dog and named him Buck. Just admit you miss your best friend,’’ Harry throws a pillow at Eddie’s head which Buck catches and levels Harry with his gaze.
‘’At least when he misses his best friend he adopts a dog and doesn’t sleep with his ex,’’ Ravi mutters under his breath trying to hide his face behind a magazine.
Every single eye snap in his direction.
‘’What?’’ Chim spits out the coffee out as Hen rolls her eyes and throws a towel at him to clean himself.
Harry’s mouth moves a couple of times like he’s trying to make sense what Ravi just said but the only thing that comes out is. ‘’What?’’
Eddie turns slowly to Buck and hisses. ‘’You did what?’’
At that Buck blushes and jumps from the couch checking his watch and scratching the back of his neck.
‘’Oh, look at the time I need to … Um, check something.’’
And then he rushes down the stairs.
‘’Buck,’’ Eddie yells at him before he jumps and starts trailing him. ‘’Come here, right now.’’
Ravi points a finger at the two of them. ‘’You see, that statement can be used for both dog Buck and human Buck, it’s confusing.’’
Eddie turns his head mid power walk and levels him with his gaze. Ravi just chuckles and lifts a fist waiting for Harry to bump him.
God, no wonder Buck chased him with a chainsaw that one time.