Blood And Water (Or However The Saying Goes)

Blood of the Covenant

Eddie had invited Buck and Tommy over for dinner after the wedding, Buck jumping at the invite. Tommy had seemed interested, so once Tommy had gotten cleaned up from work and Buck had washed his face, they headed over to Eddie's house.

Buck bounded up to the front door with Tommy beside him, Tommy reaching out to knock but Buck just grabbed his key and unlocked the door.

"Since when have you had a key to Eddie's? Why do you have a key to Eddie's?" Tommy asked slowly, Buck waving the question off. "I've had it since I met Christopher, two weeks after Eddie started at the 118. He's got one to my loft," he said unconcerned, pushing the door open and moving in as if it was his house.

"Buck!" Christopher cheered, still just as happy to see him as he always was. Only difference was now that Christopher was 13, he didn't jump up to give him a hug. He just waved from where he was reading a book at the kitchen table.

"Hey Superman! Where's your dad?" He asked and Christopher shrugged. "His room, he was getting changed after the wedding. Aunt Maddie looked really pretty," he said and Buck smiled fondly.

"She did, didn't she," he said happily, Christopher smiling at him. He seemed to finally notice Tommy standing awkwardly behind Buck, the teen waving at him.

"Hi Tommy!" He said, Tommy waving back. "Hey kid," he said, Buck looking up as he heard footsteps.

Eddie walked around the corner, brightening as he saw Buck. "Hey, there you are. We were waiting for you, Christopher wants to help you cook," he said, slapping a hand on Buck's shoulder.

"Yeah? Then come on, buddy, let's go see what your dad has in the pantry," he said and Christopher scrambled off his chair, leading the way to the kitchen.

"Oh hey Tommy," Eddie said easily, the two men following Buck and Christopher into their kitchen. "Hey Eddie," Tommy replied, watching as Buck moved around the kitchen with ease as Christopher and him debated on what to cook.

They settled on some cheesy chicken pasta with broccoli, Buck negotiating with Christopher so he'd actually eat it. Eddie seemed content to sit back and watch the two, leaning back in a chair and gesturing for Tommy to take a seat.

"You're not going to help?" Tommy asked confused and Eddie scoffed. "Eddie's not allowed in the kitchen, not while Christopher and I are cooking," Buck teased, Eddie rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, last time Dad somehow boiled pasta over and almost caught the stove on fire," Christopher laughed, Buck grinning as Eddie sighed playfully.

"It was one time, three years ago," he complained and Buck waved him off. "Are you telling me you got better?" He asked over his shoulder, glancing back to watch as Christopher seasoned the chicken.

"Yes!" Eddie insisted and Buck looked at Christopher. "Well, I haven't gotten poisoned yet, so that's something," Christopher said and Buck burst into laughter.

Tommy sat a bit uncomfortably, wondering how common this was. Sure, Buck and Eddie both talked about each other a lot, but they'd been friends for 7 years, that would be expected. But the level of comfort Buck had in Eddie's kitchen and the fact that he had a key was something else.

Eddie and Tommy chatted casually while Buck and Christopher cooked, Buck letting Chris take several of the steps by himself. "Someone's gotta teach you to cook, and it's not going to be your dad," Buck whispered loudly and Christopher laughed.

"Bisabuela said you've learned her enchiladas really well," he said and Buck grinned proudly. "Abuela doesn't need to know, but I practiced probably 20 times before giving her a taste, I really didn't want to disappoint her," he admitted and Chris grinned.