Differences

Four

"How was your shift?" Kelly asks, eyes glued to the tv as he hears the sound of the front door closing.
"Nice, surprisingly." He laughs, before sitting next to him. "Are you really watching the news?"
"It's six in the morning, there isn't much else on." Kelly turns off the TV, not finding a point in watching it when Evan is sitting next to him. "Are you going to catch an hour or two before sightseeing?"
"Normally, yes. But it was a slow shift, I was actually able to get a few hours and there's been a slight change in plans."
His eyebrows raise, "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, it's just Eddie asked me if I could watch Christopher for a few hours, so the three of us will be going to the zoo. Next day off I get, we can do some sight seeing."
"Eddie's okay with this?"
Evan blinks at the question, but nods. "Told me that if I trusted you, it was fine. You don't mind right?"
Kelly so badly wants to tear apart what Evan just told him, but nods. "I don't mind at all. Besides I never thought I'd get to meet the little guy after hearing you talk about him so much." Kelly then laughs, "Matt is going to be so jealous and I'm going to take some many pictures."
He shakes his head, but leans into the warm body next to him. "Don't make him too jealous. He could decide to fly out here too and then I'd have to deal with an angry chief."
Kelly snorts, "When has Boden ever gotten mad at you?" When he doesn't get an answer, he wraps an arm around him, pulling him closer. "Exactly, you're a little angel in his eyes." The words are teasing, but true.

When he had been in Chicago and around Boden, Evan had been on his best behavior. It also helped that he never caused any trouble when in Chicago. Not when he had Kelly grounding him, and Matt and before she passed Shay grounding Kelly.

"Could we call Matt later?"
"Do you one better, I'll get him to do a skype call, that way I don't have to worry about him dropping his phone on his face and you stealing mine away."
"You say that as if you didn't steal my phone yesterday and refused to give it back until I agreed to watch a movie with you."
"Worked didn't it?"
Evan rolls his eyes, "Yeah. Now shut up so I can take a nap."
"I thought-"
"Nap time."
Kelly rolls his eyes, but sinks back into the couch.

The two men spend the next three hours in and out of sleep. When the clock hits a quarter past nine, they both get up and start getting dressed for the day. It's an easy routine between the two, as they throw clothes back and forth, Kelly's clothes having quickly got mixed in with Evan's.

"Toss me the backpack." Kelly says, reaching out for it.
Evan easily tosses it over, the motions familiar, "I'll grab the first aid kit from the bathroom. Pack us both an extra shirt."
"Wallets at the bottom?"
"After we pay admission." Evan reenters the bedroom, passing over the kit. "Do you want to have lunch at the zoo or elsewhere?"
"How good is the food?"
He thinks about it for a moment, "Probably as good as it can be."
"Christopher can decide. You want some goldfish in here?"
"Nah, I've got some granola bars though."
Kelly nods, as they both go downstairs to slip their shoes on and finish packing up.

He sets the backpack down on the counter, leaving it open for Evan to throw in whatever else and if anything else that Eddie might think they would need for Christopher. It's as if thinking of them, summoned them, as a knock on the door is heard.

Kelly watches as Evan bounds over, a large grin on his face. Opening the door, he sees a semi-familiar face and a little boy. "Bucky!" The little boy that has to be Christopher greets, before hugging the man. He watches as Evan hugs the little boy back, a hand cupping the back of his head as he holds him tight against him for a few seconds.

As soon as they back away, Evan moves so he's crouched down in front of the boy. Not minding that his front door is still open and Eddie is perfectly halfway through the door. "Are you excited?"
Christopher nods, "Daddy told me on the way over that we're going to the zoo."
Evan grins at him, nodding. "Yeah, me, you and my friend are all going to go."
Kelly quickly moves to his side, smiling down at the little boy. And as soon as he looks at him, Kelly understands why Evan loves him so much. "Hey, Christopher. My name's Kelly. Your Buck has talked a lot about you."
"Really?"
He nods, "Yep, talks all the time about his superman." He doesn't miss how the kid seems to glow at the fact that Evan talks so much about him.

Kelly drags his eyes away from Christopher to look at Eddie, and is surprised to see the man looking at Evan and Christopher with a fond look as Evan takes Christopher over to the couch. "Eddie, right?" He asks, extending his hand.
"Yeah. It's nice to meet you, Kelly." He shakes his hand.
Kelly glances over at Evan and seeing that he's distracted, he takes half step closer. "I know you told Evan," He ignores the mans flinch at hearing his first name and the curious look. "But, I wanted to double check that you're okay with me spending the day with them."
"That's nice of you, man. But, it's like I told him, I trust him to know who Chris can and can't be introduced to."
Kelly nods, moving back.

It's at that same moment that Evan comes over and throws an arm around Kelly's shoulders. "Alright, anything we need to take with us that we didn't think of? I packed a first aid kit, some granola bars in case he can't wait for lunch and some extra clothes. I'll add the ones you packed."
Eddie shakes his head, but reaches for his wallet and pulls out a fifty. "For admission, lunch, and gas."
Kelly watches amused as Evan plucks both the wallet and bill from Eddie's hands and stuffs the bill back where it was before tossing it back to the man. "Keep your money, man. I offered to take Christopher."
Eddie looks ready to try to fight him on it, but Kelly interrupts before he can. "I wouldn't try it. Even if he does eventually take it from you he won't use it and will find a way to give it back, with interest."
"Don't know why I'm trying anyway." Eddie mutters, stuffing his wallet back in his pocket. He glances at his watch and wincing. "I better get going. Text me when you get there?"
"Of course, man."
Eddie nods, before going over to the couch.

Kelly looks away, not wanting to see him say goodbye to his son, it's clear Evan feels the same way as he's already looking at Kelly, drawing back from him. "I thought you were gonna be taking pictures to make Matt jealous."
He laughs, "Give me until we're at the zoo and I'll start."