The fluorescent lights hummed overhead as Buck and Eddie entered the school transformed for parent-teacher conferences. The atmosphere was a mix of anticipation and mild chaos, with parents bustling around, teachers at their stations, and the occasional excited chatter of students present for the event. Buck's nerves were palpable, Eddie could sense Buck's unease as they navigated through the crowd. He subtly intertwined his fingers with Buck's, offering a reassuring squeeze. Buck's eyes met Eddie's, finding comfort in the familiar warmth, and understanding that passed between them.

"You, okay?" Eddie asked, his voice soft but steady.

Buck took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing under Eddie's touch. "Yeah, just nervous. I want to do the best for Chris."

Eddie nodded, his grip on Buck's hand never wavering. "He's got that with you, you know? This is just a chance to hear from his teacher and see how he's doing."

Buck managed a small smile, appreciating Eddie's grounding presence. "Thanks for being here, Eddie. I don't know if I could do this without you."

"Hey, we're a team, remember?" Eddie grinned, guiding Buck towards Chris's classroom.

As they approached the door, Buck couldn't shake the flutter of anxiety in his chest. What if he wasn't doing enough? What if Chris was struggling and he hadn't noticed? Eddie sensed Buck's inner turmoil and stopped them before entering, turning to face him.

"Buck, you're an amazing dad. Chris is thriving because of you. Don't doubt that." Eddie reassured, his gaze sincere.

Buck exhaled, realizing he wasn't alone in this. He had Eddie by his side, supporting him every step of the way. With newfound determination, Buck nodded, the worry easing from his features. "Let's do this."

Eddie and Buck, hand in hand, made their way to Chris's science teacher's classroom. The atmosphere shifted from the bustling school to a more focused and quieter classroom, where discussions about academic achievements took center stage. The science teacher, Mrs. Rodriguez, greeted them warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she smiled.

"Ah, Christopher's parents, I presume?" she said, glancing at the name on her list before looking up at Buck and Eddie.

Buck nodded, a mixture of pride and curiosity evident in his eyes. "That's us. How's Chris doing in science?"

Mrs. Rodriguez's face lit up with enthusiasm. "Oh, Chris is a delight to have in class! He's not just knowledgeable; he's genuinely passionate about science. We've been covering earthquakes and tsunamis lately, and Chris seems to have an impressive understanding. I must say, it's quite advanced for his age."

Eddie grinned, giving Buck a playful nudge. "Looks like our little researcher gets it from you, Buck. Always delving into those disaster documentaries together."

Buck's cheeks tinted with a blush, a mix of embarrassment and pride. He chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, we watch a lot of that stuff. Chris loves learning about it, and I guess I do too."

Mrs. Rodriguez joined in the lighthearted moment. "Well, it's clearly sparking an interest in science for him. Chris asks insightful questions and contributes to class discussions. I'm impressed with his curiosity and eagerness to learn."

Buck beamed, the pride in his eyes overtaking any embarrassment. "Thanks, Mrs. Rodriguez. It means a lot to hear that he's doing well."

The teacher continued to share anecdotes about Chris's engagement in science class, highlighting his enthusiasm during experiments and his knack for connecting scientific concepts. As the conversation unfolded, Eddie and Buck found themselves increasingly captivated by the image of Chris thriving academically.

Before moving on to the next teacher, Mrs. Rodriguez extended her praise to Buck. "You're doing an excellent job fostering his love for learning, Mr. Buckley. It's not every day we encounter a student with such a genuine passion for science."

Buck nodded, genuine gratitude in his expression. "I just want him to have every opportunity to explore what he loves. Thanks for encouraging him, Mrs. Rodriguez."

As they walked away from the science teacher's classroom, Eddie couldn't resist teasing Buck a bit more. "See, Buck, you're raising a little scientist. Who would've thought?"

Buck chuckled, a mixture of amusement and affection in his eyes. "Yeah, I guess we've got a little scientist on our hands."

As Eddie and Buck navigated the maze of parents and teachers, they were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by Aiden and Mara Smith, a friendly married couple, parents to Alex Smith, Chris' friend. Eddie had gotten to know them better through playdates and PTA meetings. Aiden, a tall and jovial man, clapped Eddie on the back with a hearty laugh, while Mara, an equally warm presence, offered a friendly smile.

"Hey there, Eddie! How's it going?" Aiden inquired, his voice carrying a genuine curiosity.

Eddie returned the warm greeting with a smile. "Not bad, Aiden. Just here for the parents-teacher conferences. Chris is doing great, by the way."

Mara chimed in, her eyes lighting up. "That's wonderful to hear!"

Eddie chuckled along with them, appreciating the easy camaraderie. "This is Buck, my partner, he'll actually be attending the next PTA meeting. I've got work, but he's the chef of the house, so it's perfect for him. They'll be discussing the bake sales to raise funds for the kids, right?"

Aiden's eyes lit up with recognition. "Ah, Buck, right? The chef extraordinaire! We've heard so much about your cooking. It's about time we met him in person."

Mara nodded in agreement. "Absolutely! PTA meetings are a great way to get to know everyone. We're in charge of the bake sales this time."

Eddie nodded appreciatively. "Sounds like a plan. Buck's looking forward to it, and I'm sure he'll whip up something amazing for the bake sale."

Aiden clapped Buck on the back, offering a friendly assurance. "Looking forward to seeing you at the PTA meeting, Buck! And don't worry, we'll make sure you feel right at home. It's a friendly crowd."

Buck, who had been quietly observing the exchange, felt a sense of relief at the welcoming reception. He extended a grateful smile. "Thanks, Aiden, Mara. Looking forward to it, and I'll make sure to bring something delicious for the bake sale."

As Aiden and Mara bid them farewell, Eddie and Buck continued their journey through the parent-teacher conference, the brief encounter leaving a positive impression. The prospect of Buck attending the upcoming PTA meeting added a new layer of excitement, as Buck was finally joining Eddie in other parents and actively participating in the school community.

Eddie and Buck continued walking until they entered Miss Ana Flores' English class. There they were greeted by a surprised look from the teacher. Ana, a woman in her early thirties with a vivacious personality, was taken aback by the unexpected appearance of Eddie with a companion. Her eyes lingered on their joined hands, and a flicker of curiosity passed through her gaze.

"Good evening, Mr. Diaz," Ana greeted, her tone carrying a hint of flirtation. "And who might this be?"

Eddie nodded politely, noting Ana's lingering gaze but choosing to ignore the underlying implications. "This is Buck, my partner. We're here for Chris's parents-teacher conference.

Buck offered a friendly smile, extending a hand to Ana. "Nice to meet you, Miss Flores. I am Evan Buckley, but please call me Buck."

Ana shook Buck's hand, a glint of apprehension in her eyes. "Likewise, Mr. Buckley."

Buck raised an eyebrow as she ignored his request and then turned all her focus on Eddie. She had completely ignored Buck as she continued to try and get Eddie's attention. While Buck found amusement in Ana's teasing, Eddie couldn't help but feel annoyed by the teacher's persistent attempts to flirt. As they settled into the meeting, Ana continued addressing Eddie as "Edmundo," despite his repeated requests to be called Eddie.

"Edmundo, I must say, it's a pleasure having you here," Ana remarked, casting a coquettish smile in Eddie's direction. "And Mr. Buckley, do you share Edmundo's passion for literature?"

Buck chuckled, playing along with the teasing tone. "Well, Miss Flores, I love reading and make sure to always bring Chris a new book each month. We are reading Harry Potter right now for bedtime and once we finish with them, we will start with the Percy Jackson series. Edmundo here, joins us from time to time, but he prefers physical activities."

Eddie rolled his eyes, blushing slightly at the innuendo his boyfriend threw while shading Miss Flores. However, his irritation at the English teacher was growing. He redirected the conversation back to Chris, hoping to get meaningful insights into his performance in English class.

"And how's Chris doing in English, Miss Flores?" Eddie inquired, trying to steer the conversation toward the reason they were there.

Ana's response, however, was disappointingly vague. "Oh, Chris is a delight to have in class. A creative spirit, just like his father."

Buck snorted when he was ignored once more. Did she not hear him say that he was the one reading to Chris? Not Eddie? Eddie couldn't help but frown at the lack of specific details about Chris's academic progress. He wanted to hear about his son's strengths and areas that needed improvement, not engage in a flirtatious exchange. Buck, sensing Eddie's frustration, subtly squeezed his hand in a reassuring manner. Meanwhile, Ana continued to veer off topic, sharing anecdotes that seemed more focused on Eddie than Chris.

As the conference concluded, Eddie and Buck made a hasty exit, the tension lingering in the air. Once outside the classroom, Eddie sighed, expressing his irritation. "I can't believe she barely talked about Chris. It's like she was more interested in flirting with me than discussing our son's education."

Buck chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, she's not the first, and I doubt she'll be the last. You're a catch, Eddie."

Eddie couldn't help but smile at Buck's attempt to ease the tension. "Let's just hope the next teacher is more focused on Chris than trying to impress me."

As they continued with the parents-teacher conference night, Eddie and Buck met with various teachers, navigating through the unique dynamics of their roles as co-parents and partners. They finished the night in a high note, delighted by the many praises sung their way. Not that they had anything to worry about, this was Chris they were talking about.