Over the course of nearly two weeks, Buck had gotten all his stuff from his now former apartment. Well, he hadn't gone but Athena, Hen and Maddie had and emptied it, taking pictures of furniture if he wanted which he said no they can have it, all his stuff was boxed and put in Maddie's now full attic, bar the boxes of clothes. Buck had stayed at Maddie's and visited Eddie's but never stayed over they had both decided it was a good idea for Buck to stay with his sister, but Eddie would pop over to see him and keep him company. Buck attended his meetings accompanied by Eddie but the last two he had gone in on his own, but Eddie was right outside just in case. In these two sessions, Buck wanted discuss how he could move forward and hopefully build a relationship with Eddie which is why he kept Eddie outside explaining to Eddie he wanted try talk things through to prove to himself he could do it, his nightmares were less frequent and having the support of not just his sister and Eddie but everyone else was helping him through it all, his wounds were healing bar one hidden on the inside of his upper arm, he still had a boot on his ankle and his burn on his leg was still sore but it was healing good.
Buck was starting to move on and enjoy his life again he was even going into the firehouse not to work but to sit and be with his team mainly. So he had more than one person to talk to, on his bad days, Eddie would be there sitting with him talking to him and helping him through it, but on the days where he found himself on his own in his room alone with his thoughts his only way to stop the bad thoughts coming was pressing down on the cut he made on his arm, it helped him cope.
"Buck, are you up?" Maddie asks.
"Ugh, I am now. What's up?" Buck asks as he looks over at the clock to see that it was nine-fifteen am.
"It's Monday you know what that means." Maddie reminded.
It took Buck a while to realise what she was on about, with being rudely woken up. It hit him and he shot straight up and looked at his phone which should have gone off, but he must have forgot set his alarm.
"Oh, shit. I'm behind schedule, why didn't you wake me I was meant be up at eight am" He shouts.
"Well, I thought you wanted an extra hour I mean you're not going until later." She says as she enters his room with a mug of coffee, Buck was thankful he fell asleep with a shirt on.
"I know, but Eddie wanted to pop into town and get some last-minute things before we went out later, so I said I would look after Christopher." Buck explains as he grabs the cup off her.
"Well, that you were meant to but-" She starts saying,
"I knew you would have either forgotten to set your alarm or slept in." Eddie's voice came as he walked into his room.
"What are you doing here?" Buck says going red and Maddie smiles at him as she leaves
"Well when it got to eight-thirty and I hadn't heard from you, I rang Maddie. She said you were still out cold, so Christopher and I made a decision, that we would come here, and you can look after him here." Eddie says. "If that's okay?" He added.
"Of course, it makes sense considering I was late getting up. It just means I'll have distract him a lot better as Maddie and Chim offered to wrap all my presents." Buck says smiling.
"So, you're making them wrap their own presents?" Eddie chuckles.
"No, I've wrapped theirs and yours already, its mainly everyone else's." Buck says.
"Oh, so you wrapped mine already?" Eddie quizzes.
"Of course, you think I didn't see you peeking through the piles." Buck sticks his tongue out.
"Ah busted. Well I did wonder why the piece of paper had no presents next to it makes sense now." Eddie laughs.
"Bucky, where are you?" Chris can be heard shouting.
"Well, I guess that's the call to move." Eddie says holding his hand out to Buck.
"True." Buck says, taking his hand,
Eddie helps Buck to his feet and their eyes meet and they both smile. Buck wants to lean in and kiss him, but he does not know if he is ready or if Eddie won't see him as broken still, so he leans to the side and pulls Eddie into a hug.
"What's that for?" Eddie asks curiously.
"Just wanted to." Buck says smiling as he tucks his head in to Eddies shoulder.
"You know anytime you want a hug, I'm up for it." Eddie says and Buck feels Eddies hands rub his back.
"Thank you, now you better go, I'll be out in a second. Do tell Christopher I'm on my way." Buck says smiling.
"Okay, I'll see you later. I brought a change of clothes for him too, as I know you both will get messy and I don't think Santa will be happy if he is a state." Eddie chuckles.
"I promise he will be clean and ready when you come back round later." Buck says.
"You better clean up too." Eddie says.
"Yes, sir." Buck chuckles giving him a salute.
Eddie shakes his head as he leaves but turns to give Buck one last smile before he closes the door, Buck smiles and quickly throws on some sweat pants and a long sleeve shirt and hobbles out and down to the kitchen where Chris was sitting with pancakes.
"Where did they come from?" Buck questions.
"Dad stopped at the diner and picked them up on the way." Chris says
"He left a note for you." Maddie says handing it to him smiling.
Buck looks down at the note, his name on the front and smiles as he sees Eddie's scruffy writing he opens it up.
'Buck, I guessed you wouldn't have eaten breakfast so I got you some of these pancakes you love from the diner and your favourite coffee, can't wait to spend time with you and Christopher later. Eddie xx'
Buck could feel the smile was big and he didn't care that Maddie was giving him the look, he shook his head at her as he picked up the Styrofoam takeout box with his name on the side and instantly could smell that it was his favourite. He couldn't believe Eddie had remembered his favourite pancake place and more to the point went out of his way and had specifically got some for him, he sat at the table and started eating them as he listened to Christopher explain what he has been doing as school was closed for Christmas and how he been helping make cookies for the firehouse. Buck smiled and heard the door and Maddie wandered off.
As they finished up Maddie walked in with Chimney.
"Well, wasn't expecting you to both be here today." Chim said.
"Yeah, it's a change of plan, don't worry I have already set up a space for us to work, so eyes won't see." Maddie explains
"Yeah, sorry. Thanks for today both of you, I can do it if you want though it is my stuff after all." Buck explains
"No, we got a bet who is the better..." Chimney starts and looks over at Christopher make sure he isn't listening "wrapper." Chim winked
"Well, I suppose I can't get in the way of the bet as long as I get to judge." Buck winks.
"No chance of that. It'll wouldn't be fair considering Christopher is here he can judge." Chim says loud enough so Christopher hears.
"I'll be the judge, then." Chris says smiling.
"Well, that is sorted out." Chimney says smirking at both Buck and Maddie.
"So, what does the loser have to do?" Buck asks wondering if it would be an appropriate answer with Christopher would be been present.
"Loser has to cook the winner a meal of their choice." Maddie explains.
"So basically, pretend to cook by ordering takeout and place it on the plates and hide the actual cartons." Buck smiles
"You may have done that Buck, but no, the winner will watch." Chimney says smiling.
"Game on." Maddie says challengingly to Chimney.
Buck laughs as he watches them disappear into the living room, Buck turns and finishes his coffee and puts the rubbish in the bin, he goes into a cupboard and pulls some boxes out.
"So, Superman I have these ingredients and was going bring it to yours, but what you say we make some?" Buck says with a grin.
"Is that…" Chris looks behind him to check then leans closer and whispers "Slime?" Buck nods.
Christopher lets out a loud giggle and they both start laughing as Buck cleans the table top and places a plastic sheet on ready for the mess they were about to unleash, after about thirty minutes Maddie walks in to the kitchen and Buck looks up, he knows there is a mess he is covered yet Chris has managed to avoid getting any on him bar his hands the table is a mess of slime and glitter, he is going be finding the glitter for weeks to come.
"Oh no, Buck it's the Grinch." Christopher chuckles and Buck smirks.
"Don't worry if she comes too close, we will fling the slime at her to protect us," Buck says.
"Well, the Grinch came to get this bottle of wine and glasses, just clean up properly after, okay?" Maddie says with a rueful smile.
"We will." Christopher promises, as he smiles back.
"He really means I will do the actual clean up, but yes, we will." Buck smiles.
"Good, so now I've let you do slime, do you think you can do me a favour Christopher?" Maddie asks.
"Okay." He says looking at Buck who shrugs.
"Let me win the wrapping competition." She says smiling and Buck lets out a laugh.
"Deal." Chris says, and Maddie gives him a high five.
Buck shakes his head as his sister leaves and Buck and Christopher continue to play with the slime, eventually the novelty had worn off so Buck got some tubs and placed what slime he could in them and binned the rest, once the table and Christopher himself were clean he took Christopher in to the living room noticing the sheet to which sounds of wrapping and giggling could be heard, he placed Christopher on to the sofa and put the TV on.
"Find something good to watch, I'm just going get changed and showered quickly considering I ended up messier than you." Buck says ruffling Christopher's hair.
"Okay, please be quick." Chris says smiling.
Buck walks over to the sheet and peers behind it and see's Maddie and Chim wrapping and smiling.
"I have put Chris on the sofa I'm just going to shower quick can you keep an eye on him please?" Buck asks.
"Of course, Chim was going head out get some food from the sandwich shop, do you want something?" Maddie asks
"Yeah, get me a chicken and salad one and you have asked Chris what he wants but be prepared to be asked for the full menu before he decides. Thanks for the offer. Now I'm off for a shower now." Buck says as he turns and hobbles off quickly.
"Buck!" he hears Chimney shout in mock rage, but he continues to hobble into the direction of his room.
As he gets in his room, he grabs a change of clothes and heads in for a shower. After a quick shower, he is fully dressed in clean clothing and heading back in to the living room, he sees Maddie sitting with Chris as they search for a movie but there was no sign of Chimney, so Buck presumes he has gone to get the lunches.
"I guess Chim got a list of what Christopher wanted?" Buck laughs as he settles on the sofa next to Christopher.
"Yeah, this one decided on a chicken and mayo sandwich and a bag of chips to go with it." Maddie says.
"Ah, chips. I forgot about them." Buck says.
"Don't worry, Bucky. I told Chim what your favourites were and to get you some." Chris explains.
"Thanks Superman, what are we watching then? We have time for about two films, depending what they are then we have to get ready for your Dad." Buck explains.
"Finding Nemo and Dory." Chris says smiling and Buck grins and shakes his head to Maddie.
"Okay buddy, let's get it started." Maddie says.
Thirty minutes in and Chimney arrives back with the food they all eat the food and watch the film when they finish eating, Chimney and Maddie return to the wrapping challenge as Buck and Chris watched the films, as the closing credits of Dory rolled on the screen, Buck realises that Eddie would be on his way soon and they were not ready.
"Right, buddy it's time to get ready. Grab your bag that your Dad brought with your clothes and we will get changed so we both would be ready." Buck says.
"Okay." Christopher says.
"You got your Christmas wish for Santa all sorted?" Chimney asks coming round the corner
"Yeah, I'm hoping he gives me what I want." Christopher says.
"I am sure he will." Maddie says
Buck takes Christopher's hand and heads down to his room and lets Christopher go in to change.
"If you need help, just call me okay?" Buck says.
Christopher nods and goes in and after a while the door opens, and Chris is ready, dressed in the clean outfit.
"Okay, head to the living room and I'll get changed okay?" Buck says.
"Please be quick." Christopher says as he wanders down the hall.
Buck heads in and his phone goes off he looks at the message.
Eddie: 'On my way, you better be ready. The traffic is crazy today. xx'
Buck smiled at the message and quickly changed out of the clothes he was wearing and then decided to swap out the shirt. He sprayed on some aftershave and checked himself in the mirror and smiled he felt happy for the first time in a long time looking at his reflection. He grabs his wallet and phone and placed them in his pocket and hobbles down the hall to the living room.
"So, Christopher who is better?" Chimney asks, with a pile of presents wrapped in front of them.
"Hmmm…" Christopher considers as he looks at the presents and how they looked, he then made a decision "Maddie." Christopher says.
"In your face, Howie." Maddie says, pumping her fists 'Rocky' style.
Buck lets out a laugh and Christopher walks up to him and hugs him.
"It was rigged, I demand a recheck." Chimney says.
"I vote Maddie too." Buck says.
"I give up." Chim says, throwing his hands in the air.
"You two ready for a fun night out then?" Maddie asks.
"Yes." Chris says excitedly.
"Yeah." Buck says sheepishly.
"Howie, why don't you have Christopher a minute while Buck helps me in the kitchen." Maddie says.
Chim nods and takes Christopher and Maddie and Buck head into the kitchen.
"I know your nervous about going out in the public, but you will be fine. You will be with Eddie." Maddie says.
"Yeah, but I've only really gone to the firehouse or Eddie's or to Athena's. I've not really gone out in public itself, so I'm kind of nervous." Buck admits.
"It is fine to feel like that. If it gets too much just explain it to Eddie and he will sort it out for you, you know that or call me, and I'll come to get you." Maddie says as she rubs his arm.
There is a knock at the door and Buck knew it was Eddie. As the door opened Christopher went running to him, Buck, and Maddie head to greet him.
"Hey, you both look ready for a fun night. So, shall we go?" Eddie asks.
"Yeah." Chris said giggling.
"Yeah." Buck says.
Eddie leads them to the truck and gets Christopher in as Buck climbs in the passenger side, Eddie gets in the driver's side and they head off. It is quiet in the truck but eventually Eddie speaks up.
"You sure you are ready for this? I mean we can leave it." Eddie asks
"No, I'm ready plus I can' t let Chris down, just promise to be close by me just in case I break down or have an episode." Buck says and looks away.
"If you do, I'll be there to support you." Eddie says, and he rubs his hand over Buck's before continuing to drive.
As they arrive at the Christmas village, Buck can see all the people walking round and the shops that were really busy, he feels the panic build up but then a warm feeling on his leg breaks him out of it and he looks down to see Eddies hand.
"You ready?" Eddie asks.
"Yeah, let us do this. What you say Superman?" Buck says.
"Yeah, let's see Santa and get hot chocolate." Chris says.
"Cheeky, but okay." Eddie says.
They all get out and slowly walk into the village. Buck watching everyone that goes past and keeping his head down, he feels a nudge in his shoulder and turns to see Eddie is right next to him and then a small hand grab his and looks sideways to see Christopher which makes Buck smile and they walk together and straight to the Santa line. As they stand and slowly move down the line Buck watches people passing and has turn away he can feel the tension in his chest getting heavier he turns to face the wall of Christmas displays and see's Eddie reach an arm over his shoulders and pull him close.
"It's okay, you are doing so well Buck. I'm proud of you, but if it is getting to much we can leave." Eddie says.
"Yeah, Bucky. I can miss seeing Santa if it helps you." Chris says tugging at Buck's sleeve.
"No, we can't let you miss seeing him, I tell you what though. Would you mind me holding you until we get to the front?" Buck asks and then looks at Eddie who smiles at him.
"Yeah, that's fine I can keep your eyes busy." Chris giggles.
Buck gently picks up Chris and holds him close and Eddie shifts so that Buck is closer to the wall and Eddie is closer to the public walking past. As they move forward, Eddie helps Buck who struggles because of his awkward boot but he did not care as he had Christopher in his arms, eventually they got to the front and it was Christopher's turn.
"Go wait at the fountain and I'll come to you after I have spoken to Santa." Christopher orders.
"You got it, buddy." Eddie says with a smile.
"Okay Superman, see you in a minute," Buck smiles,
Buck and Eddie slowly walk over to the fountain and sit down, and Buck feels Eddie shift next to him so he can feel his presence and Buck leans his head on to Eddies shoulder and jumps up,
'Shit, why did I do that; we are out in public. Oh god I have messed this up.'
"Buck, I don't mind. I mean if you want to do that, I am not against it." Eddie says, and Buck turns and meets Eddies eyes.
Buck just nods and leans back down and rest his head on to Eddie's shoulder again. He felt all the tension leave when he feels Eddie hand rub over his head. He closes his eyes and enjoys the feeling.
"All done, buddy?" Eddie says, and Buck opens his eyes and sits up straight as he sees Christopher in front of them.
"Yeah, he said he would try and bring me what I want, can we get hot chocolate and go home?" Christopher asks as he moves to sit on Bucks good leg.
"I thought you would want to stay and see some of the other Christmas things, Superman?" Buck asks.
"I do, but I know this is hard for you so we have done what I wanted, so I think we should go back home and watch a Christmas movie." Christopher says.
"That is what we will do, you two stay here and I'll get the hot chocolate and then we will head out. I just need call into the shop we first went past as we came in okay?" Eddie says.
"That's fine." Buck says smiling as he holds Christopher close.
Buck watches as Eddie walks to the stand that was selling hot chocolates and notices that Eddie always keeps looking over giving Buck a smile, he turns to Christopher who was watching the world go by, he loves the feeling of being in this little family and a promise of more - maybe, when he will be ready. He knows a part of him is ready, but there is a part he knows he's not right now and he doesn't want to go into any relationship where a part of him wasn't ready, which would drive Eddie away. He was so far in his thoughts he had not noticed that Eddie had come back and was in front of him, he looked up and smiled.
"You ok? You seemed deep in thought." Eddie asks as he passes Christopher his hot chocolate.
"Yeah, just thinking that how much I've enjoyed today - this, I know it's been hard, but it has definitely helped by being here with you two." Buck says smiling.
"Well, that's what we do best." Eddie says smiling "Come on, let's go" Eddie says.
"Shouldn't we have gotten your sister something? I feel guilty that we are going turn up with drinks and not got her one." Buck questions as they get up and start walking to the shop Eddie wanted to go in.
"Oh no, it is fine she went back to Texas the other day, I thought I mentioned it to you. She wanted us to go but I said I had stuff I wanted to do here this year." Eddie says smiling.
"Sorry, I must have missed it when you said that, so are you going Abuela's then?" Buck asks
"Nope, Christopher and I are spending it with Athena and Bobby. They offered and I couldn't say no to her. She gave me that look, you know the one where if you say anything but yes she will beat you." Eddie chuckles, remembering the Athena's look on her face.
"Yeah, I have had that look directed at me so many times, at least that means I can see you open your present." Buck explains
"Oh, right. I don't get open it at home like the monster pile someone else has." Eddie grins.
"Well, like I said I want be there when you open it okay?" Buck says.
"Well, how about you spend tomorrow night with us, I mean the spare room is free if you want to sleep in there or-" Eddie starts.
"I could sleep in your bed." Buck finishes.
"If you want to, then we can meet Maddie at Athena's. Maybe she could have Chim over while you're out." Eddie says smiling and Buck makes a puke gesture
"Can I too?" Chris pipes up, as he was listening to the whole conversation.
"Maybe. Anyway, let me pop into the shop here." Eddie ducks in the shop
Buck looks at the shop and sees that it mainly was filled with gift wrap and bags and other Christmas stationery, he laughs, and so does Christopher as Eddie come out and has a brown bag, but his hair has glitter in it.
"What are you both laughing at?" Eddie asks puzzled.
"Well, someone is very sparkly aint they Superman?" Buck says still laughing.
"Yup, Dad you have glitter in your hair." Christopher says chuckling.
"What, how ughh…" Eddie says as he rolls his eyes, as he shook his head, trying to dislodge the glitter and failing.
They walk off Buck and Chris still laughing at Eddie's hair and get in the truck and head off back to Eddie's. Once back in, Eddie heads straight in to his bedroom as Christopher and Buck settle on the sofa and trying to decide and pick out a movie, Buck looks round and see's that Eddie kept to his word and hasn't touched any of the decorations there all up. Eddie comes back and hands Buck a beer and sits next to them as they watch the chosen movie, Buck does not really pay much attention to it. He just enjoys the gentle warmth coming from Christopher who was falling asleep on his side and Eddies shoulder next to his.
"I think you should take him bed; he is pretty much out of it and I'll get Maddie to come and get me." Buck says.
"Or stay, I mean you don't have to, but if you want you can." Eddie says and Buck can see the flush in Eddies cheeks.
"Ermm… yeah, but I don't have anything to wear." Buck says.
"Well, it's a good thing I still have some spare clothes of in my drawers." Eddie says smiling,
"Okay, cool. Well, you take him, and I'll let Maddie know." Buck says
Eddie gently picks up Christopher and walks down the hall to take him to bed, Buck sends a message to Maddie explaining it was too late for her to come and get him, so he will stay here and that he was staying the night tomorrow so that she and Chimney could see in their first Christmas as a couple without Buck being in the way. Once the task was done, he gets up and heads down towards Eddie's room he can hear Eddie's voice coming from Christopher's room. From what he heard; Eddie was reading a book out loud to Chris. He continues to listen for a minute and slightly laughs as he hears Eddie trying do the different voices of the characters. He walks in to Eddies room and goes to the drawers and hunts up for the spare clothes Eddie mentioned. Sure enough, there was a couple changes of clothes that were Buck's in there. He blindly chose a random change of clothes and gingerly gets changed and heads back down to the living room, noting that Eddie was still reading out loud from Christopher's bedroom. As he gets to the sofa, he searches the movies, looking for a certain one - he has a movie he wanted to watch. It was a guilty pleasure, so he had it ready to play when Eddie came out.
"He is out for the count. Oh, you got changed great minds and all that, eh?" Eddie says.
Buck turns from the TV and sees that Eddie has changed too and is sitting next to Buck again.
"What are we watching then?" Eddie asks, nodding towards the TV.
"Nightmare Before Christmas." Buck replies with a smile.
"Okay, why?" Eddie asks curiously.
"I just love it." Buck says.
"That will do for me." Eddie says as he rubs Bucks shoulder.
They watch the movie and Buck laughs and turns to Eddie to see him smiling at the bits as the movie winds down they start to clean up and start walking into the kitchen.
"What's that?" Buck asks pointing to something in the ceiling.
"It looks like mistletoe; I didn't see that when you put everything up. It was most likely my sister; she was messing in some boxes before sh…" Eddie doesn't get to finish as Buck has leaned in and kissed him.
'What the fuck did I just do, I wasn't thinking omg he is going to hate me.'
"Sorry, I didn't mean I mean I wanted to but - oh my god, I'm sorry I'll go" Buck rambles.
"Don't be, it is what mistletoe is for, but I wouldn't have pushed you for it, unless you wanted to, but I'm glad you did and you haven't messed it up. I said I would wait, Buck that hasn't changed." Eddie says as he reaches his hand and cups Buck's cheek.
"Thank you, can I maybe kiss you again without feeling guilty." Buck asks knowing he is going red.
"Sure, but just a peck. I normally don't give kisses away unless I get a date you know." Eddie smirks teasingly.
"it didn't stop you before though." Buck responds.
"If I remember we were both hurt and I was pretty sure I was dying so I was delirious and out of it, so it doesn't count." Eddie says and Buck ducks his head he knows Eddie nearly dying was his fault "Don't. It was not your fault okay? Anyway, I'm waiting." Eddie continues.
Buck raises his head and smiles as he leans in and kisses Eddie on the lips it is a quick one, but it felt so right.
"I think I'll have to thank your sister the next time I see her." Buck says smiling.
"Me too but let us get to bed. It will be a long day tomorrow and now you're staying; Christopher will be over excited." Eddie smiles
"Okay and I wouldn't mind Christopher being overjoyed but I wouldn't miss it, whatever happens tomorrow." Buck replies.
They clean up the kitchen and head to Eddie's room, Buck gets in and faces the wall and starts to settle as a warmth pressed against his back.
"Is this okay? I mean if it is too much, I can move back." Eddie asks
"No, its fine." Buck says, smiling to himself.
"Night, Buck." Eddie says.
"Night, Eddie." Buck replies.
Buck nods off into a deep sleep, knowing that the man he feels the love for is slowly coming back from deep down is here holding him safe and sound.