Chapter Text
The weeks after Eddie gets stabbed are surprisingly normal. Everyone attends baby Nash’s birthday, Eddie goes back to work, and people slowly stop talking about what happened at the hospital. It’s weird, Eddie thinks, how such a pivotal moment of life and death has faded into just another day. They experience life-threatening situations every shift, he supposes, so why would this one be any different?
The normalcy ends over dinner one night. Chris has gone to his room, leaving Buck and Eddie sitting on the couch, each nursing a beer while some nature documentary plays in the background. Buck has been oddly quiet tonight, and Eddie supposes now is as good a time as ever to ask him what’s up.
“Oh, um. Well, there is something,” Buck offers.
“Ah, really?” Eddie asks, playfully nudging Buck’s arm. “Got a new date?” Eddie feels a little sick when he asks that question, but he ignores it, chalking it up to his own awkwardness around dating.
“Um, no, no,” Buck says, shaking his head, “I… I think I’m gonna try to adopt Theo.”
Well. That was not what Eddie was expecting. “Buck, that’s… wow.”
“I got a call yesterday from the social worker handling Theo’s case. Apparently, I was listed as an emergency contact for Theo if anything happened to Connor and Kameron. There’s… a hearing tomorrow, and they want me to come as a candidate for temporary placement for Theo.”
“Wow. How do you feel about it?”
“They said if I’m interested in adopting him after that, there’s a process I could go through,” Buck says, as if he didn’t even hear Eddie’s question. “I said yes. They told me that if the judge approves me, then they’ll do a home inspection and a background check, and then Theo would live here. Temporarily, until I go through the process to adopt him. Then it’d be forever.”
“You’re really serious about this,” Eddie says. This gets Buck’s attention.
“Of course, Eddie,” Buck says, “I mean, you met the kid. He’s… he’s perfect, and he deserves the world. Especially after everything that’s happened to him.”
He’s perfect because he’s just like you, Eddie thinks. “Okay, let’s do it,” he says instead.
“What?” Buck says.
“You’re gonna need a few things to pass the home inspection,” Eddie explains, “I still have a bunch of baby-proofing stuff from when Chris was a kid. I’ll bring it to your place tomorrow, and we can set it all up.”
“You… really?”
“Of course, Buck,” Eddie says, placing a hand on Buck’s shoulder.
“Thank you, Eddie. So much.”
“Thank me after you pass this home inspection,” Eddie says with a smile.
—
The next day, they go through Eddie’s storage and find a box of baby-proofing supplies, a toddler bed, and a bag full of Chris’s old toys. They spend the morning securing Buck’s furniture to the walls and turning Buck’s spare bedroom into a four-year-old boy’s dream.
By the time the hearing rolls around, Eddie is sitting next to Buck in a drab courtroom, watching Buck fiddle with the tie around his neck. Eddie slaps gently at Buck’s hand. “You’re gonna untie it,” he says. Buck gives him a look but sets his hands in his lap.
The hearing is a blur. Eddie doesn’t understand most of what is talked about. Before he knows it, however, Buck has been approved by the judge, and they’re driving to Buck’s house for the home inspection.
“What if we forgot something?” Buck asks, fidgeting with the stitching on the steering wheel.
“We didn’t,” Eddie states.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because we didn’t, trust me. Just focus on driving.”
The home inspection is as much of a blur as the hearing. The social worker moves from one room to the next, checking for everything a four-year-old might need. She even opens Buck’s fridge to inspect its contents.
After the inspection, the social worker tells Buck everything looks good, and then they’re driving back to the courthouse for Buck to sign the paperwork and pick up Theo. Buck drives, and it’s the first time Eddie’s seen him breathe since the day started.
“It’s crazy that twenty-four hours ago, I had no clue you were even considering fostering a four-year-old,” Eddie says to break the silence.
“Yeah, how do you think I feel?” Buck asks sarcastically, tapping the steering wheel nervously.
Eddie thinks for a second before answering, “I don’t know. We haven’t really had a chance to talk about it.” It feels like ever since Buck told him about the plan to foster and adopt Theo, they’ve been go-go-go to get everything set up.
Buck sighs. “I feel… terrified. And so excited. But also, I feel bad, like I’m stealing him from Connor and Kameron.”
“You know that’s not what’s happening. They had you as an emergency contact for Theo for a reason. They’d be thrilled to know that he’s going to be in such great hands.”
Buck smiles softly as they pull into the courthouse parking lot.
“I’ll set up the car seat while you go inside?” Eddie confirms with Buck. Buck nods, takes a deep breath, and opens the car door before walking into the building.
Apparently, setting up a car seat is just like riding a bike. Eddie doesn’t hesitate once as he secures the seat and prepares it for a four-year-old. When he finishes, he turns to see Buck and Theo walking toward him. Eddie smiles as he takes in the scene: Buck scanning the parking lot for cars, Theo’s tiny hand clutching tightly around one of Buck’s fingers. When they get to the car, Buck crouches down in front of Theo.
“Theo, this is Eddie, my friend from the fire station.”
“Fire station?” Theo asks, his eyes lighting up.
Buck chuckles lightly. “Yeah, do you remember him?” Theo looks up at Eddie.
“Hey!” Eddie says, crouching alongside Buck. “Spider-Man, right?”
Theo nods shyly.
“I’m Eddie. Can I come along and hang out with you guys?”
Theo nods again. Buck helps him into the car seat as Eddie goes around to the passenger side. Before long, they’re on the road back to Buck’s house.
By the time they arrive, it’s almost five, which is when Pepa agreed to drop off Chris. Buck asks Theo if he likes spaghetti, and then Eddie is sitting on Buck’s living room floor playing firetrucks with Theo while Buck prepares dinner. It’s all very… domestic. Eddie remembers similar evenings with Shannon. He would entertain Chris while she cooked in the next room. It’s so much simpler with Buck, Eddie thinks. With Shannon, it felt as though they were playing house. She cooked dinner because she felt she had to, like it was her role. Eddie would clean because he felt he had to make up for his lack of cooking skills, as if he had to even the score with her. With Buck, Eddie knows that he cooks because he loves to. Eddie, in turn, helps clean Buck’s house because it feels more like a home than living with Shannon ever did.
That wasn’t Shannon’s fault. If anything, it was Eddie’s. He was so afraid of having to act like a proper family that he ran away, and when he returned, he felt more like a guest than a resident.
When Chris arrives at Buck’s, Theo is immediately enamored by him. They talk about superheroes and dinosaurs and things Chris hasn’t cared about in years but is willing to discuss with Theo. Eddie watches them talk and thinks about how much they already look like brothers. Theo excitedly talks while Chris fondly rolls his eyes. Eddie looks to his side and notices Buck standing in the doorway, apron around his waist, watching Chris and Theo with a smile that undoubtedly mirrors Eddie’s.
“Dinner’s ready,” Buck says quietly, just to Eddie.
“We can eat in a few minutes,” Eddie replies, returning his eyes to their kids. Well, his kid and Buck’s kind-of-almost kid. Not their kids, as in both of their children. As in, Eddie is the parent of one kid, and Buck is the kind-of-almost parent to the other.
After a few minutes have passed, Buck wrangles up Theo and gets him in a booster seat at the dinner table. He eats… most of his spaghetti. Eddie can’t really tell. A lot of it ended up in his hair.
“What was I thinking,” Buck says after dinner, “serving spaghetti to a four-year-old?”
Eddie chuckles. “These are the lessons you’ll learn in time, my friend.” He helps Buck clean the dishes while Chris and Theo return to the living room.
“No, Eddie. That’s what you’re here for. To teach me these lessons before they happen.”
“It’s been a loooong time since Chris was that age,” Eddie counters, “and he wasn’t nearly as bouncing-off-the-walls as Theo is.” Buck gets a wet rag and goes over to where Theo has flung spaghetti sauce onto the wall. He scrubs at it to no avail. “Where are your Magic Erasers?” Eddie asks.
“Why would I have Magic Erasers?” Buck asks, attacking the spaghetti sauce again with limited results.
“You brought a four-year-old home and didn’t get any Magic Erasers?”
Buck looks back at Eddie. “I’ve been with you since I realized I was bringing him home! When would I have snuck off to buy Magic Erasers?” Buck drops his rag onto the floor in defeat.
“Look, how about I run to the store and get some Magic Erasers. I’m assuming you don’t have any Tide pens either?” Buck shakes his head. “Okay, Chris will stay here. The two of you can handle Theo, right?” At this, Buck nods. “Perfect. I’ll be back.” Eddie nods once before turning to grab his keys and letting Chris know he’ll be back soon.
—
The next few days look nearly identical to the first. Buck and Eddie work in tandem as Theo becomes more settled into life with Buck. Eddie feels prepared on Friday when Buck tells him that the social worker assigned to Theo’s case is coming by for a home visit tomorrow.
“Do you want me here for it?” Eddie asks.
“God, please, yes,” Buck replies. They’re standing around the kitchen island while Chris plays with Theo in the living room, something that’s become sort of a nightly routine for them.
Eddie laughs at Buck’s response. “I’ll be here. Maybe Chris and I can stay over tonight?”
“Of course. Anytime,” Buck answers.
“Chris!” Eddie yells towards the living room. “Are you cool if we stay here tonight?”
“Is that even a question?” Chris replies.
“YAY! SLEEPOVER!” Theo shouts. Buck and Eddie smile at his excitement.
Before long, Eddie is sprawled out on the couch, wearing the extra pajamas he keeps in Buck’s closet. Chris is in the guest bedroom. Well, Buck claims it’s a guest bedroom, but it’s full of Chris’s clothes and posters and trinkets. So it’s basically Chris’s room.
Eddie shuts his eyes, and the next thing he knows, his alarm is ringing. He lies there for a minute before hauling himself off the couch. He gets up and finds Buck in the kitchen with all the cabinets open.
“What are you doing?” Eddie asks. Buck jumps at his voice.
“Eddie! Help me look through these cabinets to make sure I don’t have any loose rat poison.”
It’s way too early for this, Eddie thinks. “Have you ever had rat poison in your cabinets?”
“No but—”
“Buck,” Eddie says, walking over and placing his hands on Buck’s shoulders, “it’s gonna be fine, okay? They’re gonna come in, ask you a few questions, look around a bit, and then leave.” Buck nods as the doorbell rings. His eyes widen.
“They’re here already?” Buck asks, panic in his voice. Eddie feels a similar sense of fear, but he tries not to show it on his face for Buck’s sake.
“Okay, I’m gonna go get Chris up. You, just… be yourself! Be charming!” Buck nods frantically as Eddie shuffles down the hall to Chris’s room. When he walks in, he sees that Chris is nowhere to be found. The bed is made, and his clothes are put up. He makes his way over to Theo’s room and sees Chris helping Theo pick up the various action figures around the room.
“I heard the doorbell,” Chris says. “Is the social worker here?” Eddie walks over and ruffles his hair fondly.
“Yeah, bud. Did you clean up in here?”
“I helped!” Theo interjects.
“Yeah,” Chris confirms, “Theo did most of the work.”
“Well, thanks, you two. Now, how about we go out and say hi to Buck and our friend?”
They file out of Theo’s room, Theo first, Eddie last. As soon as Theo sees the social worker, a tall, pale lady with long, dark maroon hair, he runs to her.
“Mary!” he shouts, but it comes out more like ‘Marwy’.
“Hey buddy!” Mary says. “How are you liking it here?”
Theo looks up at her. “It’s sooooo fun! Chwis plays superhewoes with me, and Buck makes yummy food, and Eddie dwives a big twuck!”
“Sounds like fun,” Mary says with a chuckle, and Eddie watches as Buck looks at Theo with such fondness. “Hey, Theo, I need to talk with Buck for a little while. Think you can go hang out in your room for a bit?”
Theo nods and starts to turn around. He stops mid-spin and asks, “Can Chwis and Eddie come with me?”
“Um,” she says, looking between Chris and Eddie, “Chris can, but I need to talk to Eddie for a little bit as well.”
“Aww, okay,” Theo sulks before hopping toward his room, Chris in tow.
“Hello, Mr…” Mary trails off. Eddie hesitates for a second before he realizes she’s speaking to him.
“Diaz! Eddie Diaz,” he says, shaking her hand. “I’m Buck’s friend. Chris is my son,” he clarifies, pointing his thumb back towards Theo’s room. He tries not to think too hard about it when she pulls out a pen and a notebook and starts writing.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Diaz. I’m Mary. I’m the social worker assigned to Theo’s case. It’s nice to see a sample of the support network Mr. Buckley has.”
“I’m happy to be here,” Eddie says truthfully. “Buck has helped me raise Christopher for seven years. Being here is just a small way I can hopefully return the favor.”
Mary smiles and nods before writing something in her notebook. When she finishes, she returns her attention to Eddie. “Alright, Mr. Diaz. You can go ahead with Chris and Theo. I have some things I need to discuss with Mr. Buckley.”
“Alright,” Eddie replies. As Mary turns to set her bag on the kitchen island, Eddie gives Buck two thumbs up. Buck smiles weakly as Eddie turns to go into Theo’s room.
“YAY! EDDIE!” Theo shouts when Eddie walks in.
“Hey, buddy! Let’s be quiet so Buck and Mary can talk, okay?” Theo slaps his hand over his mouth and nods in response. Eddie cracks the door and sits on the floor next to it. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t trying to listen in on their conversation. Just to make sure it all goes well. For Buck’s sake.
“So, Mr. Buckley,” Mary says from the kitchen, “We’ve done an extensive look into your job and medical history.” Eddie has to strain slightly to fully make out Mary’s words. “I must say, we’re a little… concerned.”
“If it’s the drug addiction, I have a great support system. Someone comes by every few weeks to check my house, and I attend rehabilitation classes,” Buck says, slightly frantic.
“It’s not that, Mr. Buckley,” Mary says. Eddie can hear her shuffling some papers around. “You have great references stating that they don’t believe you are under any risk of relapsing. We’re much more concerned with the nature of your job as a firefighter. It says here in your file that you’ve been struck by lightning, which caused your heart to stop for several minutes. It also states that you were crushed by a firetruck and suffered from blood clots as a result. To be frank with you, Mr. Buckley, that level of risk combined with the long hours you are required to work leaves us concerned about your ability to care for Theo long-term.” Oh God, Eddie thinks, and you told him it’d be okay. Eddie hears Buck’s sharp inhale.
“So… what does that mean?” Buck asks.
“Well,” Mary continues, “if we determine that it’s not in Theo’s best interest to remain here, he will be moved to another foster home. Likely one with two parents who could devote time to his care.”
Oh, Eddie is pissed. Because it’s not about Buck’s job, not really. It’s about the fact that he’s single. Eddie knows that, although they don’t say it outright, adoption agencies are much more likely to favor a couple over a single applicant. Eddie thinks about how unfair it is that Buck, the most kindhearted, thoughtful man he knows, is being ruled out just because he’s single.
“Theo will have two parents!” Buck says in a rush, “I’m engaged!”
What? Eddie thinks.
“Really?” Mary asks. Eddie can hear the surprise in her voice. “And your fiancée, where is she?” Eddie would very much like to know the same.
“Um,” Buck hesitates. “Well, you already met him. It’s… It’s Eddie. Eddie Diaz.”
What? What is Buck saying?!
“Oh!” Mary exclaims. Eddie can hear more papers shuffling. “Well, this changes things, Mr. Buckley. Mr. Diaz will need to be added to your application immediately, and he will have to undergo the same background checks as you. Does he live in a separate house? If so, he will also have to undergo home inspections.”
Eddie can’t believe what he’s hearing. He must be hallucinating. Maybe this is all a big prank.
“Alright,” Buck says, “I’ll let him know.”
What is happening?!
“Okay, Mr. Buckley. I think that’s all I have for you today. We’ll be in touch about adding Mr. Diaz to the application.”
“Alright, thank you so much, Mary.” Eddie listens as they walk to the front of the house. He hears Buck close the door behind Mary and exhale. He composes himself as he hears Buck’s footsteps approach Theo’s room.
“Hey, guys,” Buck says nonchalantly with a smile, “how about pizza for lunch?”
“PIZZA!” Theo shouts, dropping the action figure he was playing with and jumping up and down. “PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA!”
“I’ll… take that as a yes,” Buck says.
“Pizza! Yes! Sounds good! Sounds great!” Eddie says, definitely not as casually as he was going for.
“Okay…” Buck says slowly, “I’ll call the pizza place then.” He gives Eddie a look as if Eddie is the one being weird. Maybe he did just imagine the whole ‘engaged’ conversation.
Lunch is much the same: Buck acts like nothing is out of the ordinary while Eddie tries his best to act normal. Afterwards, Theo takes a nap, and Chris goes to his room to play video games with his friends. Now that they’re alone, Eddie prepares himself for Buck to tell him about his conversation with Mary, but Buck doesn’t bring it up.
“Did you see that the science center is opening up a new space exhibit?” Buck says instead, looking down at his phone. “It might be fun to take Chris and Theo, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, yeah, sounds great,” Eddie says. “Hey, how did your conversation with Mary go?”
“Oh!” Buck seems surprised that Eddie asked. “Uh, it was fine, I guess. Uneventful. Just more of the usual questions.”
“Oh… okay… nice.” They sit for a second in silence. Eddie can’t believe Buck hasn’t brought up the fact that he claimed they were engaged. “Okay, well, I need to go pick up some groceries… I guess Chris and I will see you tomorrow?”
“Okay, sound good!” Buck goes back to looking at his phone, presumably at the science center’s new space exhibit.
Eddie gets Chris to say goodbye to Theo and Buck, and then they’re driving home. Eddie thinks he must be losing it. Surely there’s no way Buck claimed they were engaged and just… didn’t tell Eddie. Maybe the whole thing really was just his imagination. That’s an entirely different can of worms Eddie doesn’t have time to unpack.
Eddie decides that if Buck doesn’t want to tell him that the State of California now thinks they’re engaged, Eddie can go on acting oblivious for as long as Buck wants to play this game.