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Chapter Text

Parent Teacher Conference night was typically something Eddie hadn't done? At least they were voluntary and not mandatory to see his son's progression in school. Today Durand School was very insistent on seeing Eddie, it made sense for a Private school like this. High bills and accommodations for his son... not to mention he had to inform the school of Shanon's passing which was a whole ordeal that he had to assure them Christopher was fine, and in counseling and no his money wouldn't be at risk just because his wife was dead. He is still totally capable of paying the bills of his house, his insurance, and of course: paying Carla.

Eddie had a list of his son's classes with each teacher he was meant to meet with personally, he was looking over the first one and he was instantly already lost.

"Looking for room 203..." He mumbled and looked up from the paper. "Didn't it just go from 201 to 205...?" Eddie stopped in the middle of the hallway, completely turned around.

"Ohh, it's the next one on the left." Carla pointed. "Lab classrooms have a different layout." She concluded easily.

Carla the saint that she was saved Eddie's life when it came to balancing his and Christopher's. Recommended to him by a friend of a friend, Eddie's personal life was the topic of the 118 so Chimney said he made a call to a friend who knew about a caretaker and she showed up on Eddie's doorstep one day. Her first month already pre-paid for. Which was... weird. Because Chimney said he never paid Carla in advanced, his girlfriend's brother might've though - since he's the one who knew of Carla.
It was a weird situation but regardless he owed Carla and that mysterious stranger so much. 

"Of course they do." Eddie sighed and kept walking, Carla by his side, if not taking the lead a bit. "Thank you again for coming. Don't know if I'd be able to navigate the confusing waters of parent-teacher night without you."

Carla just laughed: "Well, knowing these things is sorta my job." She suddenly stopped as they arrived at room 203, putting a hand on Eddie's arm like she was bracing him. "Okay, follow my lead. Try to ignore these teacher's corny jokes." She walked in first and Eddie didn't.

"What jokes?"

... Turns out, corny jokes meant bad jokes. Math teacher, music teacher, even the science teacher let one rip. Thankfully the English was both sparing and yet attractive which Carla made a comment about but Eddie didn't really find himself interested in dating right now - at least that was the answer he gave her. 

"You weren't kidding about the jokes." Eddie sighed.

"Well hopefully Chris's history teacher has a better shtick." Carla sat down, adjusting the ring on her finger. Eddie stared at it thoughtfully, it had been long enough now where any normal person who just lost their wife they weren't close to in the first place would start thinking about trying again.
But right now, all Eddie can think about is his son. 

Speaking of his son, Christopher constantly speaks highly of his history teacher every time Eddie asks about his day. It's always 'we did this in history' or 'Mr. Buck let us watch a movie' there was one time he apparently brought donuts to class for the kids. He sounded like a fantastic teacher and Eddie couldn't personally wait to meet the guy who made his son's career path potentially change from astro-physics to teaching. 

The door clicked as it opened, similar entrance to the English teacher from earlier except this time Eddie actually couldn't look away from the man. 

"Alright, let's get talking about my favorite student!" His voice was somewhat gruff where it sounded like he had been yelling a lot recently but it was soft with excitement that may match how your typical elementary schooler would move. He was wearing a soft bright green sweater over a white button up and some plain dark blue jeans. Eddie tried not to stare too hard at the muscles that were practically fighting against the tight clothing. 

Carla laughed again, "I bet you've said that to all the parents tonight."

The teacher shrugged, his eyes catching onto Carla's and something like familiarity sparked behind them. He grinned like he was talking to any old friend: "Well, doesn't hurt being honest." He sat down and made eye contact with Eddie. "You must be Christopher's father." Now Eddie was suspecting there actually was some truth about the favorite student line. Not that he was doubting it before.. Christopher's everyone's favorite. Who couldn't love the kid? 

Carla nudged Eddie with her elbow and he realized he had been asked a question. "Ah, uh, yep. That's me." He stood up straight and out his hand. "Please.. call me Eddie... it's uh short for Edmundo Diaz."

The teacher looked just as star-struck, but chuckled and took Eddie's hand anyway, standing up as well. Eddie wasn't sure why Carla remained seated. "Evan Buckley, but the students just call me Mr. Buck. Or just Buck." 

"So you must be the fun teacher." Carla teased, noticing the two had yet to let go of each other's hands. "You already know me." She eyed Eddie who was taken with that sentence because he suddenly let go, really looking at Carla now. 

"You two know each other?" 

"Yes I do." Carla grinned. "Buck and I go way back." 

Not really an explanation but Eddie nodded anyway, figuring he'll press after this is over, in the car, turning to look back at Mr. Buckley. "Alright, well, obviously Christopher is one of my best students, he's been keeping up well in class with assignments and surprise pop quizzes. He was actually the only student who understood what was wrong with the "Declaration of Independence" by John Trumbull." Mr. Buckley spoke matter-of-factly. 

Eddie and Carla were silent.

"Thomas Jefferson is stepping on James Madison's foot in the painting - but anyways, great listener he doesn't ask that many questions but with his grades I'm not surprise he doesn't." Mr. Buckley sorts through some papers on his desk, a bright red file with Christopher's name on it in his handwriting with doodles on the cover. Most of them were kind of scientific and anatomically correct except for one big heart with a smiley face on it. 

"Christopher drew that?" Eddie pointed out with a small smile on his face.

"Huh?" Mr. Buckley briefly closed to the file and looked at it. "Oh yeah! I let the kids draw on their folders that I use for assignments and grades... uh," Buck coughed, tapping the heart with his index finger. "That one is actually mine." He confessed, blushing with embarrassment. "...He uh.. insisted I draw something too." 

Eddie didn't know what to say to that, just gave this teacher a ridiculous look while Carla giggled quietly.

"Uh, anyway, Chris is amazing to have in class - kind of a class clown, he's a very sassy kid." 

"Sassy?" Eddie knew Chris on the rare occasion to be teasing of him when they're playing and it's just them. "He's sassy to you?" Eddie inquired. 

"Oh yeah... you know how kids are they like to ask about you and sometimes they have invasive questions you typically brush off but it may or may not have been revealed I do not currently possess a couch and he roasted me about that for a few minutes straight." 

"... You.. don't have a couch?" Eddie wanted to laugh, now that he thinks about it - Chris might've mentioned that before. 

Carla just shook her head as the teacher adjusted his collar. "No offenses taken by the way, it was funny. Chris is hilarious." Mr. Buckley stopped and looked Eddie in the eye. "He's got a great father." 

"Thank you." Eddie spoke softly. 

When the stairs were barely visible with the lights of the city in the distance, Eddie took in a deep breath of the nighttime air. Carla spared him no second of peace from having to sit up straight and nod. "Mm, we gonna talk about that?"

Eddie shut the door behind her as she began walking to the car. "That I'm basically raising a funny, popular, young genius?" Eddie sauntered up beside her, feeling really good about the feedback he received. 

Carla chuckled, "That's a handsome young thing for an History teacher." 

Eddie kind of stopped, his face turning into a confused expression. "Was he handsome? I don't really notice that kind of thing when it comes to guys--" 

"Oh, I'm sorry." Carla stopped as well, looking him dead in the eye. "I must have you confused with someone who couldn't stop gazing into Mr. Buckley's big brown eyes."

Eddie corrected her quickly: "They were blue." 

"And you're right." Carla caught him just as fast. "Too bad you didn't notice." She laughed and made her way over to the car.

Eddie lowered his head, nodding to himself, as he approached the car with her.

"Hey, uh, I meant to ask how do you and Mr. Buckley know each other?" Eddie asked, briefly turning to look at Carla as he drove her to her house. 

"Oh, well that's a funny story." Carla laughed. "I met him when he was dating the daughter of a patient of mine." Carla began, "Her mother had Alzheimer and hired me to take care of her mom so she can live her life with this man she met on her job... eventually when my job was done I had met that man at the funeral and a few times when he showed up to help around the house because he just wanted to help fix things." Carla sighed fondly. "They broke up a bit after she left to explore but he and I still kept in touch." Carla looked over at Eddie. "Can you guess who the man was?" 

Eddie was... kind of impressed. "So you met him through his ex because he would.. show up to help?" 

"Showed up when her mom went missing, to the funeral, to clean her house, sometimes just to stop by and keep her company. Mostly in passing until the funeral when we got really acquainted then... Buck certainly is one of a kind." 

"That's.. incredible." Eddie mumbled. Buck is incredible.

But he pushed that thought aside for now. 

... Christopher was asleep when they left and when Eddie got back he was still asleep. He checked on his son before turning in for the night himself, luckily his shift wasn't crazy early in the morning so he got to drive Christopher to school the next day and spend his time at the house waiting for him to come home.

Only, he didn't have to wait.
Because Carla called, saying Christopher got injured at school.
And Eddie was out of the door instantly.

Carla was there first, she was speaking with the English teacher.

"Carla, what the hell happened?" He briefly scanned the space for Christopher.

"I told you Christopher is fine. You didn't have to come down here, it's just some scrapes and bruises." She assured like it was nothing - but when it's his kid it's never nothing.

"He hurt himself? How?" Eddie put his hands on his hips, now looking at Ms. Flores.

"Well, it turns out Christopher and skateboards don't get along very well." Carla tried to joke, to make light of the situation, but Eddie's eyes went wide.

"You let him skateboard?" He immediately accused Ana.

"I am so sorry, Mr. Diaz." She apologized, not good enough. "We didn't know one of the kids had brought a skateboard to."

"You didn't know? He could've broken his neck."

"I know, and I feel terrible... the other kids were showing him how to ride it, they didn't know--"

"Didn't they?" Eddie became defensive. "No, let's push the kid with CP around on a skateboard for fun. You let them make a fool out of my son."

"Eddie." Carla snapped.

"I- I promise you that's not what happened. Mr. Buckley and I--"

"Mr. Buckley?" Eddie stopped. "He was there?"

"Yes, when we found out he ran to get Christopher and-"

The door suddenly opened, two familiar faces appeared as Christopher grunted as he walked out of the nurses office, his history teacher's hand on his back. "And you're absolutely sure there's no pain anywhere?" He heard Mr. Buckley whispering with urgency like... like Christopher's health was actually a concern. 

"I'm fine." Christopher mumbled before making eye contact with Eddie. 

"Christopher. Hey." Eddie quickly knelt down in front of the boy, noticing the dried blood around his ripped pants at the knee and some bandaids covering his elbows. "Oh my god.. are you okay?"

"Yeah, I had them wipe off some of the blood but uh.. the clothes we can't do anything about." Mr. Buckley spoke apologetically, briefly glancing at Ana with a downcast expression.

"I'm sorry about my clothes." Christopher replied.

"No, don't worry about that." Eddie stopped and looked up at Mr. Buckley. "You were there?"

"Yeah, I uh... didn't quite make it in time but what could've been a nastier fall wasn't. So."

"Yeah, Mr. Buck caught me..." That's when Eddie notices just a few blood stains on Mr. Buckley's sweater sleeve.

"I can run to the house and get some clean clothes for him to change into." Carla supplied with a smooth voice but as thankful for Mr. Buckley as Eddie was, he couldn't stand to look at any of the teachers. 

"No. We're done for the day." Eddie lifted up Christopher, hoisting his son on his hip. "Come on. We're leaving."

"But school isn't over." Christopher whined but Eddie shook his head. 

"It is now." His gaze of disapproval lingered on both teachers before he took his son home. 

The next few days went about as well as he could have anticipated. After calling the principal to get skateboard kid some discipline he finds out it was Christopher's idea to actually get on the skateboard by himself - his son called him a liar.

He then had a crisis about that to Carla and his coworkers back at the 118 LA Fire Department, had to explain to his kid that he cannot do everything, not because of his CP but because no one can do anything that's not possible, while also telling Christopher - reminding him - that he can still try to do everything. As long as it's together.
And that he's so smart, kind, talented, everything.

He's not just any kid - he's Eddie's kid.

When he knew classes were over, Eddie stepped into Ms. Flores office to formally apologize for taking most of his anger out onto her. When that was done, and all was well between the two of them... he then he knocked on the door to Mr. Buckley's classroom.

"Just a second!"  Was shouted from the other side of the door. 

Eddie waited and Mr. Buckley opened his door, his sweater off for this time and his sleeve rolled up to his elbows. He had some crumbs on his face and Eddie noticed he was eating a sandwich as his desk. "Eddie," He breathed out, brushing his hands off on his dress-pants. "Is um, is Christopher okay?"

His first question being about Christopher made Eddie's heart squeeze in some way that he couldn't place.

"He's doing just fine, thanks to you."

"But he couldn't have been, thanks to me. Ana and I were too busy talking than actually supervising recess when I saw him zooming by and I barely managed to catch him in time." Mr. Buckley explained and as his hands were moving with his explanation Eddie saw a few colorful dinosaur themed bandages on Buck's hands. Buck noticed Eddie's eyes and quickly clasped his hands together. "That was uh, one of my kids... gave me some bandaids to get better." 

"That's nice..." Eddie looked up and past Buck into the classroom. He was just in there the other day but only now was he taking in the warm environment from just outside the door. 

"Oh, you know what, do you wanna come in and look around? I know not a lot of parents get to see their kid's classroom and whatever I can do to make you feel comfortable with me as Chris's teacher I'm fine with--" 

"It's fine, Buck-" Eddie caught himself. "Mr. Buckley."

But the smile on the teacher's face was enough to shut him up. "Buck is fine with me, if I get to call you Eddie."

Eddie was speechless, Buck stepped aside gesturing his arms out for Eddie to enter, and he did so. Now without the stress of how his kid is doing in the classroom and talking to other teachers, and it being so late... Eddie spun in a circle as he looked around.

Drawings of all kinds covering every exposed part of the wall with some historical and probably mandatory wall decor like timelines and the list of presidents... there were so many drawings from each and every kid in Buck's classroom - some duplicates - and most of them being by Chris. "You really are his favorite teacher." Eddie said, with his back turned. Missing how Buck's eyes lit up brightly.

"Re- really?" 

Eddie nodded. "He speaks fondly of you in the car and at the house... you even saved him from a rogue skateboard."

Buck laughed. "Just trying to do my job, and keep him safe."

"I thought your job was to teach him U.S history?"

"That too. But I try to keep all my kids safe." Buck moved back towards his desk, a bit of a limp in his step as he sat down. There were some trinkets aligned along his desk with post-it notes of even smaller drawings, cat erasers, small animal critters, and a few rocks with goggly eyes and painted on eyes. "I like to think it comes with the job." 

"You're a really good teacher." Eddie spoke without thinking.

Buck's face blushed a soft pink as he awkwardly thanked him. 

The two stood staring at each other awkwardly before Eddie remembered to excuse himself, just as he opened the door Buck stopped him. "Oh! Hey can you do me a favor and bring Chris to the skateboard after school? Meet me at the gate. I got a surprise." 

Eddie quirked a brow. "A surprise? For my son?" Buck nodded. "A good surprise?"

"Is there any other kind?"

"... Is it something I'm gonna like?" 

"Well, I can tell you don't like surprises." Buck teased and Eddie laughed. "Why don't you help me out with it?" Buck offered. "It's almost done, let me show you." Completing abandoning his food, Buck limped again out the door and down the hallway, leading Eddie into the gymnasium closet where there was duct tape, a skateboard, and some screws laying about. 

Eddie squinted suspiciously. "What's this?"

"I uh, I knew Chris was kinda bummed when we were in the nurses office about the skateboard and before I kind of tackled him off of it he seemed to really be enjoying himself so I am... kid-proofing it?"

Eddie was in awe as Buck knelt down carefully to test how stable the handles surrounding it were. "You..." He started but he couldn't bring out the words right. "You built an accessible skateboard for my son?" 

Buck looked back up at Eddie, taking in his emotions painted on his face, answering with a careful and sweet; "Of course." 

Eddie had to put aside the overwhelming joy and honestly wholesomeness he was feeling and knelt down beside Buck, "What needs finished?" He asked after a second of collecting himself. 

. . . The next day, Eddie took Christopher a bit after school, as promised, to the skatepark. And while Chris was a little suspicious and somewhat downcast: "Dad, I don't wanna be here." 

"Trust me, it'll be fun." 

"Hey Chris!" Buck and Carla both screamed at once, ripping off the tarp to reveal their homemade and accessible skateboard. "Surprise!" Buck cackled as he gestured wildly to it.

"What's that?" Christopher asked, grinning ear to ear. 

"Remember when I told you if we try something new, we should try it together?"

"Yeah."

"Let's trying skateboarding."

"Okay!"

Eddie helped Christopher onto the board while Buck stabilized it, he harnessed Christopher onto it guaranteeing he wouldn't fall.

"You ready?" Buck asked.

"Ready!"

"Here we go!" And on that signal Buck and Eddie started jogging, picking up speed as they pushed Christopher on this skateboard contraption of their's. Carla running with them, filming the entire thing.

"When did you make this?"

"Just after my last class, last night."

Eddie look down at Christopher's smiling face, he looked back up laughing and cheering as they did twists and turns.

"You stayed late for Chris?" 

"Of course, I like seeing him happy." 

He turned his attention to Buck who was focused primarily on the road before them but was checking in with Christopher every second, trying to read his face for any signs of distress or discomfort. 

"...You're.. I know I've said this earlier but you're a great teacher to my son." 

"... Just doing my job, Eddie."

And then the two gazed into each other's eyes, Buck's baby blue's piercing into Eddie's like he was trying to read him too, like Buck was right there in Eddie's head with him. Meanwhile Eddie just couldn't get enough of Buck's face - bright with an open mouth smile. Almost as happy to be here as Christopher. His joy was contagious, because Eddie began smiling and laughing too. 

Chapter Text

It had been a week or so since parent teacher conference night and all the excitement that came with it, Mr. Buckley had insisted that Eddie and Chris take the skateboard contraption home with them and luckily Eddie found room in his garage to do just that. 

And despite the lingering looks, the compliments and praises, Eddie still couldn't thank Buck enough for taking the time and his effort into doing something so special for his son, and for letting Eddie be apart of it too. 

So much that Eddie has been thinking about the man non-stop. Which has admittedly never happened to him before. 
I mean, it happened with Shanon, of course. That was his first love.
And of course some women were attractive but there were ultimately an afterthought. The point is the only pressing people that have been on his mind is his son and his dead wife. But now it was Mr. Evan Buckley. 

Which Carla spared no mercy teasing him about - she hadn't been too hard once she saw how much that was making Eddie panic.

Because Eddie isn't gay, he had a wife and they have a child together. He's only ever been into women and never thought about a guy in any romantic sense whatsoever.
Buck is just a conventionally attractive guy. Many guys are conventionally attractive - hell Eddie is not a bad looking guy if he says so himself. 

Point is, whatever Carla is insinuating can be dropped, because he's still grieving Shanon. He's not ready nor is he capable of whatever she's thinking of right now.

Second point is, Eddie should do something to show Buck how grateful he is. Next time he ever sees the guy. 

In fact the next time Eddie sees the guy is actually very soon.
Christopher wanted to go to the park, Eddie had the day off, it was nice outside, perfect recipe for just a nice walk around. Maybe push Chris on the swings, something like that. He was holding his and his son's water bottle as Christopher walked ahead with his crutches in hand. Eddie was content in falling a bit behind as long as he could keep an eye on the kid and also just take in a bit of scenery around him while he was at it. He'd spend any other day like this maybe golfing or playing basketball except he already tries to do that with Chimney on Thursdays. 

"Dad!" Christopher called on ahead, and Eddie quickly jogged after him.

"What's up buddy? Need some water?"

"No, look!" Christopher jutted his head forward and Eddie caught what he was looking at.

"Hike!" A smaller-built man grunted as he tossed a pretty beat up football towards a very familiar blonde, and Eddie recognized those arms and that birthmark anywhere. 

"Buck?" Eddie mumbled as Christopher got towards the two men, Eddie had to physically stop Chris, putting a hand on his shoulder before he got absolutely demolished by these group of men playing football. Christopher watched with bright eyes and wide smile as the game went on, Mr. Buckley catching the ball, taking hits left and right before stumbling into a tackle laughing as he took the guy down. The same man who tossed him the ball snatching it to take it to the end of the field they were trying to reach. 
Successfully scoring a touchdown there were cheers and disappointed yelling from the group. Eddie wanted to back off, let Chris's teacher actually have some fun with people his age - and Eddie wasn't too big on football-- at least that was his plan.

"Hey!" Mr. Buckley got up, stretching his leg out a bit before jogging over. "If isn't my favorite student and my favorite parent." 

Pointless compliments that he probably says to everyone because he's a teacher, but Eddie blushes all the same. "Hey, Buck." 

"Hi Mr. Buck!" Christopher greets cheerfully. "What are you guys doing?"

"Ah, I'm just playing some football with my ex-roommate and his friends." 

"Ex roommate?" Eddie tilted his head.

"Way back in college." Buck clarified looking at the two of them and with his eyes flickering back and forth Eddie allowed himself to gloss over Buck's appearance. The sweat from the game making his skin practically sparkle and glisten. "What are you two doing here?" 

"Just taking a walk through the park." Eddie replied. "It's uh.. good for the both of us to get out of the house from time to time, you know?"

Buck nodded his head slowly. "Totally, well hey do any of you wanna play some football?" 

Eddie's eyes widened as he looked over Buck's shoulder at the group of guys that seemed to be waiting for him so they could continue. "Uhh, maybe raincheck?" 

Buck looked his gaze back at the group and waved it off. "They're friendly I promise." Buck looked down at Christopher. "They'd be cool with you playing, though I think tackling might be off limits. On both parts."  

"Maybe another time," Eddie patted Chris's shoulders, holding onto him. "Maybe with a different sport." 

"Uh, well, what do you play?" Buck asked, clearly interested in the 'next time' that was hanging in the air. 

"Basketball?" 

"Hard pass." Buck denied.

"... Golf?" 

Buck nodded. "I've played before, sounds good. Should we pick a date?" 

Eddie nearly lost it, mostly wondering if Buck used this kind of language or implications in public around students often. "Sorry?"

"What day do you wanna go golfing?" Buck briefly glanced down at Christopher. "You ever give golfing a try, Chris?"

"No but it sounds kind of boring." Brutally honest as every kid ever, Buck laughed loudly and Eddie still lingering on the previous question. 

"Uh... Weekends probably work best, I can get Carla to watch Christopher, since he clearly isn't interested." 

"Awesome, let me give you my number." Buck held up a finger. "Wait here a sec." And then he jogged away, probably to grab his phone. 

Christopher looked up at his dad with a goofy grin: "You and Mr. Buck are gonna be best friends." 

Eddie looked down, rather surprised. "Uh... yeah, we sure are buddy."

"Awesome."

Eddie looked back at to see Buck jogging back towards them, phone in hand. when he stopped in front of them he leaned on his right leg, cocking his hip out as he adjusted his stance. "Mind putting your number in here?" He asked casually handed his phone to Eddie. 

Eddie swallowed and hesitantly took the teacher's phone, going into contacts to add his phone number and his name into message app. As Eddie handed the phone back to Mr. Buckley, the history teacher quickly took his phone back, lifting it up and pointing the camera at them. "Smile!" He said with a big grin on his face.

"Cheese!" Christopher grinned and Eddie awkwardly smiled with his son, though his brows furrowed in cute confusion. 

The camera on Buck's phone clicked and he lowered it, smiling down at the photo, pressing a few buttons before turning it towards the two. Eddie couldn't help but smile as the photo - under Eddie's contact name on Buck's phone was photo of him and Christopher, just taken. Of course - Eddie looked a little goofy with his smile but Christopher was like a big ball of light and optimism.  "I'll see you guys next time then," Buck waved his phone at them. "Text you when I'm free. For golf." And with that, he took his weight off his right foot, kicking his left one a bit before turning to run back to his friends who cheered upon his arrival.

"Isn't he so cool?" Christopher whispered as the father and son walked away. 

"He sure is." Eddie laughed. 

When Eddie and Christopher returned back to the house, Carla was there already making them dinner upon her insistence. Eddie sat down on the couch with his phone in the table in front of him, staring at it expectantly. He should've gotten Buck's number instead so he could text the teacher - instead of playing this waiting game for god knows how long. 

After what felt like an eternity, even though it was twenty minutes during a game of solitare on his phone - an app he will be deleting because he prefers the real deal not something that shows him ads every two minutes - Eddie sat up from his relaxed spot on the couch when he saw a message from a random number: 

- Hey Mr. Diaz! It's Evan Buckley. Chris's teacher

Eddie instantly opened the message and sent back something quick and casual, not even thinking how it would seem like he was waiting for this: 

-- Hey Buck

Was that weird? Should he call him Buck? He did earlier, but it felt weirder over text.
Maybe it was weird, Buck was taking way too long to reply... maybe he shouldn't have called him "Buck."

- Sorry, still out

-playing with some of my friends

- you really don't like football?

Eddie leaned back and huffed in amusement, a small smile creeping onto his face.

-- Do you really not like basketball? 

- Touché

- Anyways, pick a day for golf yet? 

-- I gotta check the calendar

-- Don't think I can do this weekend though, I got a shift

- You're a firefighter right? Chris told me about your job 

Eddie didn't reply right away, too... surprised? He knew Christopher would talk about him to his teachers, obviously, he does a pretty cool and super dangerous job that is easy to talk about for a multitude of reasons... but he didn't expect teachers to remember or care about it when they're not being paid to. 
But Buck is a good teacher, he does stuff for his kids all the time on and off the clock.

-- That's right. How much has Chris said?

Not that he was curious or anything.

- Ehh kind of here and there. Mostly all the cool stuff about ice skating rinks and a tsunami 

-- Oh yeah. I remember the tsunami 

- It's almost all he talks about, but he talks about how cool you are more. 


Eddie wasn't sure if Buck was just saying this to appease Eddie and get on his good side, or if Buck was just as fascinated by the firefighter career as Chris was. Makes sense, not that being a teacher was a boring job, but if Eddie was a teacher he'd probably be fascinated by jobs like that too. He could only imagine what kind of jobs the other parents had. 

-- if it's any consolation, he talks about your class all the time at home too

- That's awesome

"Alright that's enough flirting with Chris's teacher, it's dinner time." Carla suddenly spoke up - catching Eddie off his guard. He nearly dropped his phone. 

Eddie quickly sent Buck was text, explaining he'll see him later, before he tossed his phone away on the couch, stepping into the kitchen along with Christopher. He quickly whispered to the caretaker: "I wasn't flirting. We were just texting."

"Mhm. I could hear the smile on your face." She whispered back, putting the bowl of spaghetti on the table as Eddie grabbed the plates and utensils. 

Eddie shook his head, it wasn't like that. Mr. Buckley is probably straight, just like Eddie is. Not to mention his wife is still dead and he is still not over it. And Carla knows this. 

Rationally, Eddie knows she's just teasing. But usually his friends don't tease him about being gay or into dudes. He checked out a hot guy's ass one time, but that's normal for everyone.

Even if Chimney and Bobby disagreed at the time. And Hen looked at him weird.

It's normal.