Archive of Our Own ^beta

Eddie knows Buck like he knows his own reflection. He knows when to push him for information and when if he pushes Buck will only withdraw more. He hates the latter. Patience isn't his strong suit but for Buck he tries. All day long, Buck has been jumpy and anxious. He was lifting nearly half his body weight and Eddie knew he was overexerting himself. If he lets a few casual touches linger throughout the day, just to see Buck's blue eyed gaze catch on his, well that's his business. His patience runs out when they are out on a call though.

A car was on the edge of the road teetering on a ridge dropping down into a creek bed. The 118 manages to safely extract the passengers when the car slips off the road crashing into the creek bed. Eddie exhales sharply then glances over to meet Buck's eyes. Buck however is standing on the edge looking down at the car far below. His face is blank but something Eddie doesn't trust crosses his face. Buck's gaze travels down into the creek bed. He sways forward taking a tentative step forward and Eddie's body runs cold. Fear thickening in his throat he hollers angrily "Buck!".

Unfortunately his voice carries through the night air making all the first responders in the area stop what they are doing and turn in their direction. Buck thankfully though stumbled back a step and blinked rapidly at him, his mouth falling open with alarm. "Woah easy Diaz. What is going on?" Chimney asks stepping between them. Buck's gaze caught on his, imploringly. 

Eddie lets out a slow breath gritting his teeth. "Buck was so busy watching a frog he didn't notice how close he was to the edge" Eddie growled. 

Buck sighed in relief. Chimney snorted. "Buck, Frogger is not meant to be an inspirational tale" Chimney reminds him. Buck raises an eyebrow at him mystified. 

Chimney shakes his head with disgust muttering under his breath as he headed back towards the ambulance. Eddie opened his mouth but Buck stepped closer. "I'm sorry. Not here. Later please" Buck said rapidly, his blue eyes pleading. 

"Bobby can send you home if" Eddie begins knowing it's futile. 

"I'm fine. It was just...I'm fine please don't make a thing of it" Buck insists. 

"Guys let's roll" Bobby calls. 

"Later" Eddie grits out walking away and then stepping back wrapping an hand around Buck's forearm and tugging him along while Buck rolls his eyes fondly. 

~

Buck is just finishing cleaning the firetruck and walking back up to the loft when he is bodily shoved into the supply closet. Buck whips around annoyed as Eddie pulls the door shut behind him entrapping them both in the small space. "Seriously?" Buck asks the space so small he can't even step back without hitting a shelf. 

"What the hell is going on with you?" Eddie demands fiercely. Buck sighs fiddling with his shirt. 

"I'm just being stupid. I had...a bad moment that's all okay?" Buck replies wishing Eddie would let it go. 

"Hey if you are struggling then it is not stupid. Now I can't help you if you don't ask for it. What's going on in that head of yours?" Eddie asks laying a hand in the place specifically reserved for Eddie a long time ago. His warm hand grips his shoulder, steadying him in a way he hasn't felt since his phone call yesterday morning. 

"Don't ruin this for us. We need you not to make a scene like you always do. Not everything is about you" Buck recants letting the poison filling his brain spill out his mouth. 

Eddie hisses angrily. "Your mother called you?" he guesses. 

Buck smirks sadly. "Good guess" he mutters miserably his gaze flickering to the floor. Eddie ducks his head slightly to catch his gaze. 

"You told me things were better between you. Were you lying?" Eddie asks softly. 

"Not exactly. They are great around Maddie. Actually being supportive of her, of Jee, of the upcoming wedding. Even offering to help pay for it" Buck tells him slowly. 

"I'm not asking about how they are treating Maddie" Eddie reminds him with a small smirk. 

Buck looks away. "I'm healed. I don't matter anymore and now I'm an issue in their way of being happy loving grandparents. I looked down today and thought if I fell from this height...it would mean possible concussion and few broken bones. And I could exist again" Buck tells him his voice cracking and a tear trickling onto his cheek. 

"No. They don't get to do that to you anymore. You matter so much to every person in this station. To all of our friends and family. To Chris. Buck I...you matter so much to me and I hate that for a single second you feel you needed to be hurt to matter" Eddie tells him his voice becoming a little huskier. 

"I know. I let them get to me. I know better than this. I'm sorry" Buck says regretfully. 

Eddie's hand cups Buck's cheek making him inhale sharply. "Buck maybe it's time you call Dr. Copeland. We both know how much good therapy can do us" Eddie says running a thumb along Buck's cheek making Buck blush. 

"Yeah...you might be right" Buck agrees heavily leaning into Eddie's touch. 

"Now we should get out of here before Chimney loses it" Eddie says with a chuckle. 

Buck follows Eddie out of the closet to find all eyes on them. With a sigh he follows Eddie up the stairs to the loft knowing the interview that was to follow. 

"So what was going on that you needed to lock Buck in a closet?" Chimney asked eagerly as soon as they are upstairs. His eyes were blown wide and his face closely resembles the Cheshire cat. 

Buck felt Eddie brush against him and he felt a rush of warmth. "I've been struggling with my breakup and Bobby/ Athena's accident and Eddie was convincing me maybe it's time I give Dr. Copeland a call" Buck admitted. Chimney's smile dropped away, concern flitting across his face. Buck glanced up to see Bobby and Hen giving him similar looks.

"Kid I had no idea you were having a hard time" Bobby says walking around the kitchen island to him. 

"Yeah. That's the problem. Thankfully I have someone who knows me far too well" Buck teases hip checking Eddie. 

"Good job Diaz. Keep taking care of our boy" Hen smiles at him. Eddie flushes bright red but peeks over at him. 

Buck glances up at Chimney worriedly. Predictably Chimney now looks nervous. "Chill Chim. I'll tell Maddie" Buck chuckles lightly. 

"Oh thank god. I'm glad you are gonna get help brother" Chimney says patting him on the shoulder. 

"Here. Have some cheesecake" Bobby says fondly passing him his favorite strawberry cheesecake. 

"Thanks guys" Buck says embarrassed sitting down at the kitchen island. 

~

"Hi Jee. Who's excited to see Grandma and Grandpa Buckley tomorrow? We have to make sure to find the pretty outfits Grandma bought you or she'll be so upset" Maddie said in her sing song voice plopping down next to Buck. Buck was kneeling on the floor in front of Jee as she played in her ball pit. 

"Except Grandma doesn't know how to pick clothes Jee or any child would actually like" Buck mutters bitterly. 

Maddie's gaze swings to him. "Are you worried about them visiting?" she asks taking the ball Jee hands her. 

"No" Buck lies. "I mean yeah I always get a little tense around them but they want to be a part of Jee's life and they have been trying" Buck continues glad his voice is steady. 

"Are they why you are back in therapy?" Maddie asks worriedly. 

Buck rolls a green ball between his hands until Jee snatches it away. "A little" Buck admits glancing up to see Maddie's eyes widen fearfully. 

"But I've also been through a lot the past six months. My accident. Natalia. The bridge collapse. The cruise ship. I think even my therapist is overwhelmed" Buck laughs and his laugh does it's job setting Maddie at ease. 

"All right I agree you have been through the ringer that would send anyone to therapy. Promise you'll tell me if you they become too much" Maddie says her phone vibrating from a call from their father. 

"It's freaky how they do that" Buck laughs. 

"Hi Dad you're on speaker. Say hi to Buck and Jee" Maddie says easily. 

"Hi Jee!....E-Buck" his father finishes. 

"Hi Dad" Buck says dryly. 

"Evan will you be joining us for dinner tomorrow?" his father asked. They couldn't stand using Buck for long before Evan slips out. 

"Yup I'll be here. Me and Chimney switched shifts this week so we can both be here" Buck tells him. 

"Good. Will your girlfriend be joining us?" his father pressed. Buck had broken up with Natalia about a month ago but it's shows how often they called their son. 

"We broke up Dad" Buck sighs glancing up. 

"She didn't deserve Buck. He's better off" Maddie tells him warmly. 

He smiles at her gratefully. "Well at least one of my kids is settling down the right way" his father voice replies making Maddie and Buck grimace. "Maddie I will text you our flight information. See you tomorrow" his father continues before hanging up. 

"They are flying all the way here to see us. Try to remember that" Maddie reminds him. He's forcibly reminded of all the times she defended their parents growing up, promising him they did love him. 

"Yeah I know" Buck nods. 

"For now let's get Jee in bed. You have to be adorable for Grandma and Grandpa tomorrow" Maddie teases plucking up Jee and tickles her. While Buck feels something sour slide down his throat. 

~

"Buck good to see you again" his father says shaking his hand. Maddie went to pick up her parents while Chimney prepared dinner. Buck mainly kept Jee busy and tried to remember Dr. Copeland's strategies. Buck shook his father's hand while looking up at his sister gratefully. She must have reminded them to please call him Buck. 

"Buck how have you been?" his mother asked stepping forward to hug him stiffly. For some reason his mind filled with memories of hugging Bobby and Athena. The interactions really were night and day. 

"Yeah fine. Work's fine and the 118 even got special recognition for saving a bunch of people from a sunken cruise ship" Buck tells her eagerly. 

"A cruise ship? Shouldn't that be the job of the coast guard?" his mother asks disapprovingly. 

"W-well my captain and his wife were on the ship" Buck stammers nervously. 

"Oh there's our future son in law" his father calls striding past Buck. Buck swallows the bitter disappointment of being cast aside, again. Maddie pats him on the shoulder as she passes. Buck inhales about to go back in when his phone vibrates in his pocket. 

It's a photo from Chris of the pie game Buck had bought a few months ago. 

Chris: Will you come over after your dinner with your parents? Playing this game with just Dad isn't the same

Buck smiles, a rush of feelings fluttering in his chest. 

Buck: I don't know kid. Dinner might run late. 

Chris: Dad says come over anyways. Crash here and then we can always play in the morning

This is immediately followed up by a message from Eddie.

Eddie: Please come over tonight. Even if it's late. I know you. You shouldn't be alone tonight. 

Buck decides to kill two birds with one stone and text the Diaz boys groupchat he has.

Buck: You boys wore me down. I'll c u later

He fires off his text his eyes still on his phone as he walks down the hallway. "Have you already moved onto another girl Ev...Buck?" his mother asked sighing exasperatedly taking a sip of her wine, her lips puckering slightly. Chimney handed him a cold beer. Buck gave him a grateful smile.

"No Mom just my friend from work and his kid" Buck replied. 

"You remember Eddie from the hospital Mom. He has a son Christopher who Buck helps take care of. Buck, Eddie and Christopher are all really close. Those three have been through so much together and come out the other side" Maddie tells her earnestly. Buck feels a little nauseous. Just the mention of the Diaz's in front of his parents. Where they could poke and prod at his favorite people has his nerves on end. 

"Maddie tell Mom about the awful wedding dress store" Buck suggests taking a sip of beer. Just like that, his parents focus on him is gone. He could evaporate. They wouldn't notice. His phone vibrated again and he glanced down to see a photo of Eddie and Chris high-fiving and smiling at the camera. 

He could survive this. He has a night at the Diaz's to look forward to. 

~

Whenever his parents' attitude or lack of interest in him stung, he let his mind wander. When his mom commented on Jee's hair, he pictured walking up to the house. The porch light would be on, welcoming him ho--to Eddie's home. 

When his father asked Chimney about his father and what he was paying for the wedding, Buck pictured Eddie on his couch. Waiting with a broad smile for him. 

When Maddie tried to rope him into the conversation only for his parents to immediately divert the conversation off him, ignoring him. He pictured Eddie insisting he go in and say goodnight to Chris even though he was already in bed. 

When Jee touched his mother's sleeve with mushed bananas on her hands leaving a gooey spot. As he watched his mother stiffen in her seat upsetting Jee before she plastered a smile on her face accepting the wet wipe Maddie passed her. "Don't worry Maddie, I remember you at this age. I can still remember the mess of peaches you made once" his mother laughed her shrill laugh. 

Buck noticed miserably how she didn't mention Daniel or him. Then again he was fed by Maddie or a sitter most days. "Well all kids are messy. Last week we got called to a house where a kid made a volcano for his science fair. Those parents would be scraping potatoes and food dye off the walls for a while" Chimney says, his smile forced and a little desperate. 

This made both his parents laugh more genuinely. Buck pictures Chris's sleepy smile as he spots him. Buck smiles. 

~

"It's getting late. I'm going to head out" Buck says finally as he finishes his coffee and rhubarb pie(which he hates but his parents love). 

"It's not that late" Maddie argues glancing at the clock. 

"I uh have plans with Eddie and Chris early tomorrow" he admits clapping Chimney on the back. Chimney smirks fully aware he was heading there as soon as he left. He wasn't about to give his parents that kind of ammunition though. 

"You spend an awful lot of time with your coworker" his mother commented while Buck gave Maddie a quick hug so he could whisper an sorry in her ear. She squeeze his elbow back in response. 

"Yeahh. Well it was nice seeing you again" he said hugging his mother stiffly. 

"Hey what if we have dinner with Eddie and his son? Christopher loves Jee and maybe you guys would like to get to know someone so important to Buck" Maddie says a little pointedly looking between her parents. Buck freezes his hand raised to shake his father's. His parents glanced between them, a silent communication. 

"Sure Evan. We will be here for a few days. We will try to coordinate schedules" his father says shaking his hand. 

"Uh...yeah we'll talk" Buck says noncommittedly heading for the door. Heading for safety. 

~

Buck walks into the house, his mind cluttered. Suddenly he is pulled into warm welcoming arms and he sags into them. A hand runs through his hair as he inhales Eddie's soft smell. "Thanks. I needed this" Buck murmurs clutching Eddie closer. 

"I figured. How bad were they?" Eddie asked, his voice a little menacing. Buck chuckles lightly and stepped back.

"Dr. Copeland's strategies helped a little and..." Buck glanced around the cozy house. 

"And?" Eddie prompts. 

Buck ducks his head a little embarrassed. "When it hurt...I pictured coming here tonight. The house. You. Chris. It helped ease the pain" Buck admitted. 

Eddie beams at this, a small blush crossing his cheeks to Buck's surprise. "I'm glad. I'm glad we could help even if we weren't there" Eddie smiled at him warmly. 

Buck blanched at this, panic swooping in. "What is it?" Eddie asked worriedly. 

"Beer?" Buck suggests leading his way into the kitchen. 

"First, Chris has been waiting up. Go say goodnight" Eddie tells him catching his hand and squeezing once, his smile warm making Buck's heart skip a beat. 

~

"How could Maddie even suggest that?" Buck hissed purposely keeping his voice low. 

"She was probably trying to nudge your parents to spend time with their other kid" Eddie suggests next to him on the couch. 

"Yeah story of my life. She spent most of her life taking over my parents jobs. Trying to encourage them to take more of a role" Buck said taking a swallow of beer. 

"You both did what you needed to. Maddie is just trying to make it work. But that is her choice. You need to choose for you" Eddie insisted holding his gaze. 

"Shouldn't I want this? My parents are trying to be a part of our lives. I should want a relationship with my parents" Buck says tears smarting his eyes. 

"Not if this is what they do to you. You need to determine what role you want them to have in your life. If you want them to get to know me and Chris, we are there in a second. You know we are always here for you" Eddie promises. 

Buck thinks of all the ways he fought for their affection through hurtling his body out of trees and in front of cars. How miserable and toxic the household got when Maddie's warmth was no longer keeping their hostility at bay. How to this day, he still couldn't feel comfortable in their presence.

"No" Buck chokes. He gets to his feet needing to move, to form words. "I don't want Chris in the room with them. I don't want Chris anywhere near their judging comments or their disapproving eyes or their coldness. Chris shouldn't have to fight for their affection which they just hand Jee. I just know my father would look down on Chris for having CP like that is somehow a bad thing. Like he isn't a miracle everyday for being just the incredible kid he is. They don't get to be anywhere near my kid" Buck paces angrily and then stops dead in his tracks. 

His head whips to Eddie expecting anger or embarrassment. Instead Eddie is smiling warmly at him. "Eddie I'm sorry...that's not...I just" Buck stammers. 

"Can you sit please? You're giving me whiplash" Eddie teases, patting the spot Buck abandoned. 

"Old man" Buck mutters sitting back down tentatively. 

"Buck in case you forgot you have been taking care of Chris for six years now. You have saved his life several times over. You go to all of his school events. You are his legal guardian. Hell a week ago you gave him advice about girls. That adds up to being a damn good dad" Eddie tells him softly, flushing a little with embarrassment. 

"I never meant to try to replace or" Buck stammered. Eddie grabbed his hand. 

"You didn't. You never stole or replaced anyone. You filled a Buck sized hole I didn't know existed in my life until you swooped in. Helped me find Carla. Helped make me a part of the 118. Helped save me in so many ways. And if you want to protect our son from your parents, I support that. But if you need me there, I want to be there. Anything your parents can dish I will dish back" Eddie says, each word filling in the holes in Buck's heart. 

"I know you can. But that might be like trying to put out a grease fire with water" Buck laughs glancing down at Eddie's hand still in his and running a thumb along Eddie's knuckles. 

"Do you want me there?" Eddie demanded. 

"I don't them to hurt you either" Buck says softly. 

"I don't want to leave you on your own with them. Please let me help" Eddie pleaded squeezing his hand in his. 

"Let me think about it?" Buck asks. 

"Sure" Eddie agrees. With his free hand he turns on the tv show they'd been watching together. Buck didn't comment on the fact that Eddie was still holding his hand. Eddie who had a girlfriend. Buck thought about pulling his hand away when Eddie laced their fingers together. The warmth of Eddie's hand in his and the soft callouses pressing against his own had his heart swell in his chest. Later Eddie tugged him into his room and held him. 

Buck slept sounder than he had in weeks. 

~

"Hey thought I would come over. Mom and Dad took Jee to the park. You haven't been answering my texts and you were a little off at dinner the other night" Maddie says coming into his loft. 

"I wasn't off" Buck comments stiffly. 

"You are right now. Did they say something?" Maddie asked worriedly. 

"No. You did. Why did you suggest they meet Eddie and Chris?!" he demanded losing his patience. Maddie blinked at him in surprise. 

"They are the most important people to you. I thought Mom and Dad should get to know them" Maddie says simply. 

"That isn't your call to make. I have never questioned your choices about Jee so you don't get to make choices for Christopher for me!" Buck yelled.

"Okay fine I made a mistake but why are you so pissed at me?" Maddie argues back. 

Buck flattens his hand on the counter. "Maddie I know you have been there for me my whole life. I am really happy that you can put it all aside and make peace with our parents. But...I didn't experience the same things you did. They love you. They only ever tolerated me" Buck says slowly, each word measured. 

"Buck that's not true. I know they haven't always shown it" Maddie begins. 

"As a kid I had a checklist. Did you know that? A cut wouldn't be noticed. Stitches would get me attention for a week. A broken bone would get me attention for a few months. Dr. Copeland's been helping me see the difference between attention and affection. I...I think Eddie's right. We need to make our own choices here. You have Jee to think about so if you want her grandparents to be a part of her life that's your choice. I'll play nice for your wedding and any other major holidays or parties. Other than that, I don't want to be around them. I'm sorry if that gets in the way of your family building but..." Buck trails off as Maddie hugs him fiercely. 

"You're right. I pushed us both to welcome our parents back into our lives. It was always the two of us growing up that I forget we did have different experiences. I never threw myself out of trees so they would pay attention to me. I can still remember the good times before Daniel's illness. I was there for Mom's depression and Dad's denial. For the secret that shaped our family. You were outside of that secret but hurt everyday by the choices we all made" Maddie said cupping his cheek. 

"I don't blame you for wanting a relationship with our parents. Just like I hope you don't blame me for not wanting one" Buck tells her. 

"I could never blame you Evan" Maddie says sadly. 

"I love you so much Mads. Always will" Buck promises wrapping his arms around her. 

"I love you too Evan. When they leave, we will have that dinner though. You, me, Chim, Jee, Chris, and Eddie. Because they are your family and I want to be apart of that if you let me" Maddie says determinedly. 

Buck ducks his head, as the memories so warm and golden flitted through his mind. "I called Chris my son by accident in front of Eddie. Instead of losing it or being uncomfortable he reminded me I have kind of been raising that kid this whole time" Buck tells her a little. 

Maddie smirks. "Did you finally tell Eddie you are in love with him?" Maddie asks going to help herself to his wine. 

"What? Maddie that's so not..." Buck begins. 

"So you are really gonna tell me you didn't break up with Natalia because of Eddie?" Maddie says studying him over her wine glass. 

"I...how do you know about that?" Buck demands. 

Maddie laughs. "I know her type. She probably made you choose between her or Eddie right?" Maddie says knowingly. 

"It was actually Chris that led to the breakup. Not that I would ever tell Eddie that" he adds glaring at her. Maddie mimed zipping her mouth. "She kept pushing to meet Chris because I explained how important he is to me. She would get angry whenever I dropped plans because Chris or Eddie needed me. I told her I wasn't ready to introduce her to Chris yet and she said I needed to choose to build a family with her or keep wasting time with my friend and his kid" Buck finished growling irritably. 

Maddie snorted. "She didn't realize those were fighting words?" Maddie laughed. 

"God I wish they were my family. But Eddie doesn't love me like that" Buck says heavily pouring himself a glass of wine. 

"How many friends willing share a son? The son he loves more than anything else in the world. If you think Eddie's capable of not loving Chris's other parent you're crazy" Maddie says knowingly. Buck sips his wine wonderingly. 

~

"You sent them a text message?" Hen demanded sipping her coffee. 

"It seemed easier than having a drawn out argument. I told them I was sorry that I didn't want to continue trying to build a relationship together. I will see them on major holidays or at family parties but maybe they should focus on building a relationship with Maddie, Chim, and Jee" Buck tells them relaxing back into the couch. Eddie was once again pressed into his side, his warmth seeping into him. 

"Did they respond?" Bobby asked coming around to sit on the sofa next to Chimney. 

Buck snorts derisively. "My mom said Evan I don't know why you insist on making this so hard for us. My dad said we deserve a lot more than a text message after all we have been through" he reads off the messages burned in his brain. Eddie runs a thumb along his wrist making Buck glance over. 

"None of that is true. If they bothered to know you, they would learn how easy it is to lo..." Eddie trailed off glancing around the crowded area and withdrew his hand. 

"Well I'm proud of you Buck. I know this wasn't an easy decision to make" Hen tells him warmly. 

"Me too. Why don't you come over for dinner tomorrow night? Athena would love to see you" Bobby suggests. 

Buck winced. "I already have plans with..."

"Buck come on you see us all the time. Chris would understand if you want to have dinner with Bobby tomorrow" Eddie says easily. 

"The more the merrier. You know what let's celebrate. Hen, Chim, Eddie. Grab your partners and your kids dinner at my place tomorrow" Bobby suggests. Buck flushes and shuffles slightly in his seat. Always the odd man out. He's the one with no partner. But maybe he does have a kid. This also means Eddie will bring Marisol around. Buck will have to watch the Hen, Karen, Maddie, Athena welcome the newest girl into the ranks. 

"Buck visitors!" Ravi calls breaking Buck of his reverie. 

"Mom? Dad?" Buck jumps off the couch at seeing his parents walking up the stairs. 

"Evan we need to talk" his mother told him sternly making all the blood rush to his feet. 

"Let's give them some space. Pleasure seeing you again Mr. and Mrs. Buckley" Bobby says kindly shaking his parents hands. 

Hen and Chimney quickly left murmuring hellos to his parents. Eddie stood up meeting his gaze. Buck nodded at him reassuringly. Eddie's eyes flashed irritably but nodded. He said nothing to them and Buck couldn't help but smirk at this. "Let's sit" Buck waved at the dining room table. 

~

"Why are we leaving him alone with them?" Eddie demanded angrily. 

"They are his parents" Hen replied but glanced worriedly up at the loft. 

"Are they? I mean Maddie is the one who took care of him his entire life. Can they call themselves parents if they are never involved?" Eddie replies. 

"Maddie always says they aren't bad people just bad parents. She's been really conflicted about all of this" Chimney says regretfully. 

"Buck is doing what's right for him" Eddie argues stubbornly. 

"And so is Maddie" Chim replies defensively. 

"Don't talk to us like that!" Buck's father roars suddenly. Surprisingly, Bobby is the first one to react and he is already moving. 

~

"How could you do this?" his mother demands sitting down in a chair. 

"Mother I'm sorry but we haven't had a relationship in almost 8 years. I left home at 19 and would get maybe a phone call every few months. I'm not stopping you from having a relationship with Maddie, Jee, or Ch-Howard" Buck sitting down at the table. 

"No but you are making sure to ruin our relationship with our daughter" his father says accusingly. 

"I-I'm not trying to ruin anything. I just want...need to do what's best for me" Buck stammers his eyes prickling. 

"How can you be so selfish?" his mother demands. 

"ME? You two have never been there for me or cared about me. Maddie was there for me. She raised me" Buck retorts. 

"Don't talk to us like that!" his father roars. 

"How dare you say such things? You were a horrible child. You had complaints from every teacher. Your medical bills alone were too much for us to handle. Your stupid, reckless nature was a constant problem we had to deal with" his mother shouts at him shrilly. 

"I'm sorry. You can leave" Bobby says suddenly making Buck jump with surprise. 

"Excuse me?" his father demands. 

"You heard me. I will not allow my firefighters to be spoken to with such careless malice. More than that, Buck doesn't deserve this" Bobby tells him coming around the table to place a warm hand on Buck's shoulder. 

"He's our son. We will speak to him how we wish" his mother hisses. 

"No you won't. You don't get to claim him. I saw the broken child you abandoned. I gave him a home here and watched him become the responsible, brave, kind man you see before you. I am so proud of the man standing here and I will protect him with my dying breath. Because he may not be my blood but I love him like he was my own son. Now will you leave of your own accord or will I have my wife, a police Sergeant have you arrested? Athena I should mention also loves Buck with all her heart and is very protective of him" Bobby finishes threateningly. Buck watches with satisfaction as his mother and father get to their feet, their mouths open with surprise. 

Buck feels a hand on his other shoulder and glances up to see Eddie glaring at them with all the fury he can possess. "Apart from my son, Buck is the most important person in my life. I would bleed for this man. I love him. He is my family. And I would do anything to protect my family" Eddie finishes, his face sharp with cold anger. Buck felt a slight shaking on his shoulder showing Eddie's slim hold on his anger. 

"Goodbye Mom and Dad. I'll see you at Maddie's wedding" Buck said coolly. 

He watched his parents descend down the stairs walking past Hen who looked like she was greatly restraining a desire to trip them. Buck gets to his feet first turning to Bobby. "Thanks Bobby. I love you too Pops" Buck chuckles wetly. Bobby laughs and pulls him in for a hug. 

Bobby pats him on the shoulder knowingly before walking into the kitchen casting Eddie a knowing look behind Buck. Buck turns to Eddie. 

"Thanks for having my back" Buck manages. 

"Always. Buck I.." Eddie says warmly stepping closer when the alarm rings out. 

~

"Buck there you are. Almost everyone is already here" Athena says warmly upon opening the door.

"I stopped to get a few bottles of champagne. Thought we could celebrate the 118 making it through a week with no disasters or major injuries" Buck teases hugging her as best he can with two bottles of champagne in his hands. 

"I don't know. Bobby told me about your parents stopping by. There was injury there?" Athena asks assessing him, her eyes calculating as if actually peeking into his mind for injuries. 

"I might be a little sore. In the end though, I am so much better off. I have everyone I need right here" he tells her fondly. 

"I'm proud of you" Athena tells him placing a warm hand on his cheek before taking the champagne bottles. 

"Get him!" a familiar voice called before two pairs of hands wrap around him nearly toppling him. Jee has her tiny hands wrapped around his ankle. Chris, who is getting far too tall, has both hands against Buck's stomach trying to push him over. 

"Easy football star" he laughs ducking to pull Jee into his arms while hugging Chris. Chris squirms away laughing. Buck glances up to see Eddie watching them with a broad smile. 

"Guess we have to work on his tackling" Eddie laughs walking over. 

"I'm just really hard to take down" Buck smirks planting a raspberry on Jee's cheek. 

"Heard lightning does the trick" Eddie says dryly, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Buck tips back his head a laugh bursting out of him. 

"Eddie! Too soon" he laughs. Soon they are both laughing. Jee squirms to get down while Eddie and Buck catch their breath. 

Buck stares at Eddie's face, golden with amusement, his dark brown eyes warm as chocolate. His handsome face radiant and a sharp wave of longing crashes over him. Did you finally tell Eddie you are in love with him? Buck clears his throat glancing around. Hen and Karen wave at him where they are opening the wine bottles. He spots Bobby in the kitchen with Denny and Chris devouring a snack. Athena is holding Jee while chatting with Chimney. Maddie is introducing herself to Ravi and his boyfriend Thomas. Buck looks around. 

"Missing someone?" Eddi asked curiously. 

"I...I'm surprised you didn't invite Marisol" Buck tells him nonchalantly. Well he tries to. 

Eddie smiles shyly. "We...we broke up. Two days ago" he admits. 

"Eddie you let me crash in your bed that night. Why didn't you say anything? What happened?" Buck asks worriedly. 

"I realized we weren't going to work" Eddie says casually. 

"When did you realize that?" Buck asks thinking about the last conversation they had where Eddie was turning him down to spend more time with her. 

Eddie takes a deep slow breath, his eyes roaming over his face. "Pretty much the second you mentioned ending things with Natalia" Eddie replies making Buck's heart speed up. 

"Come outside with me for a second" Buck asks stepping closer. Eddie blushes but nods happily. 

Buck leads the way outside to the backyard and walks around the side of the house to avoid being seen by the windows. He whirls around to find Eddie right behind him. Buck's heart slams into his chest. "Y-you broke up with Marisol" Buck repeats. 

"You broke up with Natalia" Eddie replies shyly. 

"So we share a son, are both single...and I happen to be in love with you" Buck says breathlessly, his breath catching in his chest. 

Eddie steps forward placing a hand on his neck, his fingertips running into Buck's hair. "That's good. Because I'm in love with you" Eddie tells him leaning forward and kissing him for the first time. Buck's whole body curls forward. His head dips down to deepen the kiss, his arms wrap around Eddie's back molding them together. 

A loud explosion of cheers sounds from the doorway. Buck and Eddie break apart in time for their whole family to come out and congratulate them. Buck looks all around him at the explosion of love. Athena and Bobby laughing together, Hen and Chim standing on both sides of Eddie teasing him. Maddie giving him a knowing smirk with Jee clapping in her arms, Ravi whispering their whole tale to his boyfriend, Karen handing over a five dollar bill to Denny, and then there's Chris crashing into him once more. 

"Oh thank goodness. I was really worried you two would never stop pining over each other" Chris tells him with a laugh. Buck wraps his arms around him. 

"I'm really glad you are okay with this" Buck admits. 

Chris snorts. "You've been my dad for years. Now you are just my dad who's kissing my other dad. Maybe we can get a certificate to prove it" Chris suggests innocently. 

"You mean like an adoption certificate?" Buck asks curiously. 

"Or any other certificates you and Dad might want to get is fine with me" Chris grins broadly up at him. 

The realization crashes on him. "Chris!" he splutters as Chris giggles. 

"Maybe one day" Buck says softly, a soft blush crossing his cheeks. 

Eddie slides in next to him wrapping a hand around Buck's waist, his other hand wrapping around Chris enclosing them all in a group hug. "There's my boys" Eddie teases. 

"I'm so lucky to call you guys family" Buck tells them lovingly. 

"We've always been family. We always will be" Eddie reminds him placing a kiss on his cheek. 

"Eww my dads are saps" Chris complains. Buck meets Eddie's eyes and know he has the same idea. In unison they lean forward and plant kisses on both sides of Chris' cheeks while he squeals. 

The rest of his family laugh and holler at the display of the Diaz family finally coming together.