Eddie had a little extra pep in his step these days. Carla and Christopher had taken to each other immediately. And even Abuela and Pepa had given her their seal of approval. The biggest hurdle he'd faced since moving to LA had been overcome and Eddie couldn't have been more relieved. He and Carla were even doing research into a few schools that would be better for Christopher's education. Life was good.

Things with Buck were going well too. They were moving at a glacial pace, but it still felt right. Wouldn't a relationship work better if you developed a friendship first, before rushing into more? Didn't all those couples who'd been together forever say it was because they'd married their best friend? And besides, any way Eddie could have Buck in his life was a win.

"What's your best get rich quick scheme?" Buck asked as they were loading back up into the truck after a call.

"If I had one, I'd be rich by now," Eddie snorted. "Definitely not getting run over for the insurance payout."

"I don't think she actually meant for that part to happen, it was just a bonus. Just slightly bumped."

"Too bad her acting went a little more method than she planned," Eddie smirked.

"Are we making fun of the people we help on calls now?" Chimney asked seriously, putting his hands on his hips like a disappointed parent.

"Maybe?" Buck replied hesitantly.

"Good," Chimney laughed, hauling himself into the truck. "That woman is ridiculous."

"I really don't want to see her on a call again," Hen added.

"She's obviously troubled," Bobby said from the front seat.

"If she doesn't face any real consequences for her actions, she'll never learn her lesson," Eddie huffed.

"Papa Eddie coming in with his fatherly wisdom," Chimney teased. "Is that why you and Buck get along so well now?"

"Funny," Buck grunted.

"I feel like we've all had a hand in raising you since you joined the team."

"Says the guy who has no parental experience," Hen chuckled.

"I bring the viewpoint of a bachelor," Chimney defended. "I bet I'd make a good father though. Strict, but loving."

"Boring, but annoying," Buck mocked.

"And you think you'd be better? You're like an overgrown kid yourself."

"I think Buck would be a great dad," Eddie said, interrupting Buck and Chimney's back and forth. Everyone stared at him with varying looks of curiosity. "Buck's great with kids and has been amazing with Christopher. Any children he has will be lucky to have him as a father." Maybe he was showing his hand with such a strong defense, but Eddie couldn't let anyone question Buck in that way, even if the comment was made in jest. Eddie had been around some less than ideal fathers and he knew with absolute certainty that Buck wouldn't be like them. He was too passionate about inconsequential things to not put his all into his kids.

"You will not believe what Denny did this weekend," Hen said, launching into a story about a homemade volcano that was filled with glitter. Eddie nodded and laughed at the appropriate times, but he didn't contribute to the conversation. He was too distracted by the looks Buck was sneaking at him when he thought he wasn't looking. Eddie hoped he didn't overstep some boundary he didn't realize.

When they got back to the station, Buck hovered around the back of the truck in a way that Eddie knew meant he wanted to talk. He hoped Buck wasn't about to tell him that he'd come on too strong in their not quite relationship and he wanted him to back off. Or that just because he liked kids didn't mean he wanted them. That he said Christopher wasn't a dealbreaker, but the most he'd ever want to be was Dad's friend.

"Did you mean what you said?" Buck asked as soon as they were alone.

"About what?"

"About me being a good dad." Buck looked very serious, like Eddie's opinion of him truly meant something.

"I wouldn't lie to you," Eddie said just as seriously.

"I know, but it's also one of those things you say about people. So you don't make the conversation awkward."

"Buck, I meant what I said. I think you'd be a great father," Eddie insisted. A bashful smile spread across Buck's face and his shoulders lost some of the tension they'd been holding.

"Yeah?"

"You're too caring to be anything less than amazing."

"I just- my own parents weren't the best and I'm scared I'd turn out like them," Buck admitted. Eddie felt his face go dark at the thought of the people who were supposed to love Buck the most not treating him well. Buck must've noticed the look because he quickly started talking again. "They didn't abuse me. They just ignored me mostly. Unless I did something to get their attention."

"That's not right. You shouldn't have had to do anything for your parents to give you time," Eddie sighed, thinking of his own parents. They were hyper focused on him, if only to tell him what he was doing wrong. Mostly his mom, so she could report back to his father whenever he was actually home. Eddie strived to be somewhere in between. To give Christopher all the love and attention he deserved, while giving him space to figure out the world.

"It wasn't so bad. Maddie was there and she pretty much raised me."

"Well, she must be amazing too, to have raised someone like you."

"I'll introduce you soon, I promise. She's just been figuring out a new apartment and settling into dispatch."

"Introducing me to the family already?"

"As if I haven't already met your son. And aunt," Buck smirked.

"True. I guess this is getting a bit serious."

"I hope so," Buck said with a soft smile.

"Me too."

Racist people weren't Eddie's favorite kind of people to deal with. Most people of color would probably say the same thing. Most sane people really, but that was neither here nor there. Eddie had dealt with his fair share of racism growing up in Texas, seeing as they were so close to the border. But most people kept that stuff to the internet where they were safer from repercussions. There were a few people who would say stuff to your face, but Eddie's muscles and no nonsense personality usually convinced people to leave him alone.

The group at the call was a bit different. How miserable did you have to be to take the time to march around and be hateful? Eddie could come up with hundreds of better ways to spend his time. Picketing a funeral wouldn't even make the list.

If Eddie believed in karma, he would say the man choking on his own crap was karmic. Or divine retribution. Either way, he was ready and willing to save the man's life. You had to be the bigger person to scoop poop out of a man's mouth after he spent his free time spitting vitriol. But that was the job. It was just ridiculous the man had to pass out before they could help him. He hoped the staff at the hospital had an easier time with him.

"Are you okay?" Buck asked worriedly after Eddie saw off the ambulance with Chimney and Hen.

"Yeah. Why?" Eddie asked in confusion.

"The stuff that guy said. And how he acted."

"It's fine, Buck. I'm not gonna take to heart the words of a man who was literally spewing shit," Eddie snorted, nudging him with his elbow. "But I appreciate you worrying about me, even if it isn't necessary."

"Of course I'm gonna do what I can to protect you," Buck said, walking with him back toward the truck. "I'm a caring guy, remember?"

"Nice work out there!" a woman's voice called out. Eddie didn't know who she was until he saw the grin on Buck's face matched on hers. They didn't look alike, but their eyes crinkled in the same mirthful way.

"I forgot you were doing your ride along today," Buck said, closing the distance and pulling her into a hug. Eddie hovered behind him, happy enough to witness the sibling interaction. "How's it been going?"

"It's been interesting. Going on calls is no joke."

"You couldn't have picked a better person to go out with though," Buck said, making sure he spoke loud enough that Athena could hear him where she was standing and talking to Bobby.

"Such a suck up," Maddie laughed, shaking her head at his antics.

"It's not sucking up if it's true," Buck said innocently. "Now that I've got you here, this is the perfect time to introduce you guys." Buck grabbed him by the arm and pulled him over. He was never one to accept Eddie staying on the sidelines.

"Let me guess. Eddie?" Maddie asked, holding her hand out for him to shake.

"Pleasure to meet you," Eddie replied, shaking her hand politely.

"Talking to Maddie is what actually made me think of Carla."

"I used to be a nurse. I understand the system," Maddie shrugged.

"Well then, I guess I owe you."

"I wouldn't mind a few strapping young men to help me get my new apartment set up."

"Name the time and I'm there," Eddie agreed. Any time he could get outside of work hours with Buck was a bonus, even if he ended up having to do manual labor.

"Thank you!" Maddie said, clapping her hands together in excitement. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about home security systems, would you?"

"Unfortunately, no. I'm sort of tech illiterate."

"I'll get Chimney to help. He's good at that sort of stuff," Buck offered.

"Chimney?"

"Ask him how he got his name. He loves telling that story."

"I'm not sure I believe you."

"Good call," Eddie scoffed.

"Time to hit the road. We have something important to get to," Athena said, walking over to Maddie.

"A call?"

"Lunch," Athena smirked.

"I'll talk to you guys soon to set up a time," Maddie called out as she jogged to keep up with Athena. "It was nice to meet you, Eddie!"

"Good to meet you too," Eddie replied, standing next to Buck as he waved goodbye to his sister. "She's nice."

"If you want me to get you out of helping move, just say the word. I don't want you to feel like you're obligated to because you were put on the spot."

"Are you gonna be there?"

"Yeah."

"Then I'm there," Eddie grinned, wagging his eyebrows. "How else am I going to hear all those embarrassing childhood stories about you?"

"Don't you dare!" Buck gasped, glaring at him.

"I bet you were the cutest. Golden curls and a mischievous streak a mile long."

"You're thinking of Christopher."

"Maybe, but I have a feeling you two were pretty similar."

"You think?" Buck asked, looking pleased at the comparison. They both liked learning. Each of them could pull a random fact out of nowhere that would leave Eddie's head spinning. And he wouldn't be surprised if people thought Chris was Buck's son, due to their similar coloring. That thought didn't really bother Eddie.

"I do."