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Buck took the day off for Chris, he promised a fun day with the pup since he would be working Halloween. He knew Eddie would drop by with Chris on Halloween but he still wanted to have some time with his favorite Diaz. Eddie did say Chris still had to go to school and Buck didn't argue. He busied himself around the Diaz house while he waited. Buck got Chris from school, he helped him with his homework while they watched a Halloween movie. They made dinner together and then Buck grabbed the pumpkins he had hidden.
After placing newspaper all over the table, he cut open the pumpkins and grabbed the tools. He had dug most of the guts from his pumpkin before he began separating the seeds.
"What are you doing?" Chris asked as he dug into the pumpkin.
"I'm going to bake the pumpkin seeds."
"Why?"
"So we can eat them. Maddie used to make them when I was younger."
"I've never had them before."
"Do you want to try some?"
"Sure." The pup replied.
Buck placed the cookie sheet of pumpkin seeds he had just baked on the stove top. He then shook the seeds off the parchment paper and into a bowl after they had cooled. He placed the bowl on the table beside Chris, who was currently drawing the outline of what he wanted to carve on his pumpkin.
He took a small handful of the seeds, "There. Now you can try some. They're warm but not too hot." Buck smiled and walked back to the kitchen to continue baking more seeds and some other pumpkin-centered dishes. Buck glance up and saw Chris eat a pumpkin seed.
A little later Chris was quieter, his chatter had mostly stopped. Buck looked up again and saw Chris cheeks looked a bit swollen and his face was red. Buck felt his stomach twist and sink. He quickly walked over to Chris and tipped the pup's face towards him.
"H-Hey buddy, Do you feel okay? Can you breathe?" Buck asked looking over the young boy.
"My tongue feels weird, and I can breathe but it feels weird too." Chris replied frowning a bit.
Buck nodded, "Okay. Right. I think we need to go to the ER. I think you might be allergic to the seeds... It's just to be safe. And when they send you home we can get ice cream okay?"
"Do we have to go?"
Buck shakily breathed out and then nodded, "Yeah we do buddy." He quickly went to the kitchen and turned off the oven. The omega wet some paper towels and wiped both of their hands. His scent must be all over the place. "Okay. Let's get you in the car and I'll call your dad."
Buck was panicking a bit, he was running all over Eddie's house trying to find everything they might need but was trying not to grab everything since Chris could need medical attention very soon. It seemed slow enough that he could drive but he would call an ambulance if he needed to. He didn't want to deal with a coat or shoes on Chris even with the chilly October air since it would take too long, he grabbed the blanket Eddie had been using to nap with before work and then grabbed his phone, a charger, and his wallet. He swore he was missing something as he wrapped Chris in the blanket and carried him out the door.
Buck got Chris settled in the car when he realized he had forgotten his keys. "Shit. Okay. I'll be right back." Buck ran inside threw on a pair of crocs that were probably Eddie's, grabbed a jacket off a chair by his keys and ran outside.
He called Eddie as he pulled out from the driveway, listened to it ring and ring until it went to voicemail, "Hey Eds. Uh, I think Chris is allergic to pumpkin seeds or something. I'm taking him to the ER, so I'll let you know when we get there and how everything is going. Be safe. Oh, right he's fine, just his face swelled up a bit and looks red I just I wanted to be safe. Bye." He got to the hospital in under 30 minutes which is a feat with LA traffic, he kept as close of a watch on Christopher as he could while driving.
Chris was quickly admitted given his high risk status and given a bed, though he wouldn't let go of Buck, keeping his legs and arms wrapped around him, almost crying when someone tried to get him off Buck. It was obvious Chris didn't want to be here but knew from experience this would eventually make him feel better. Buck felt horrible, he had caused this with his new snack. Why didn't he think of this? Eddie was going to hate him. The pup clung to Buck even as he was poked, prodded and questioned. Chris was doing great.
Buck refused to make Chris let go of him, much to the irritation to a specific nurse. Buck sat on the bed and pulled the blanket over his left shoulder so Chris could still be helped and comfortable. He politely refused anyone trying to get him to move but did apologize to the kind nurse who came to relieve the unhappy one that he would be in her way. She had apologized for her co-workers attitude and told them, she would be with them until shift change in a few hours.
Chris now had an I.V. and some medication in him, and an oxygen canula on. The pup was curled up in the blanket against Buck, his face pressed right against Buck's scent gland on his neck. He kissed Chris's head as they settled in for the long night. He was told they may be able to get out of here late tonight if the swelling in the pups cheeks went down and nothing got worse.
Buck shifted a bit, soothing the pup as he did, "Gotta tell your dad we're all settled in." he stated.
"He'll come here?" Chris asked rubbing his red cheeks against Buck's neck.
"He'll be here as soon as he can. I promise." Buck held out his pinkie for Chris to take, when he did Buck smiled. Chris tucked himself back under the blanket. "He might be on a call right now but as soon as he can he'll call me or text me and let me know when he'll be here." Buck replied as he pulled his phone out.
*Hey I don't know if you listened to my voicemail yet*
*Everything is fine*
*In the sense nothing is worse*
*We are in the ER getting things treated*
*I'll update you when I know anything else stay safe*
Buck put his phone down and ran a hand over Chris' hair. "You're doing great bud. You definitely deserve that ice cream."
Chris smiled a bit and took a deep breath and whined a bit since he couldn't scent Buck very well with the canula on and Buck had made him put it back on when he tried to take it off twice, "What about dad?"
Buck shifted Chris on his lap and rubbed his wrist over the pups neck, cheeks, and back. "Well, he better be here before ice cream or he won't get any."
They had been at the ER for almost two hours now and Eddie still had not replied to him. It had him a bit worried but he was on the paperwork for Chris already. So he wasn't worried about Chris not getting what he needed to get better. Chris had fallen asleep, with the lack of entertainment and the addition of medication in his system.
The new nurse at shift change had tried to move the blanket that smelled like Eddie away. Chris who was half awake then had almost started sobbing since he didn't feel good and kept getting poked and prodded, he just wanted his dad. Buck apologized and tried to calm Chris down, which didn't do much since he just wanted Eddie. The blanket back in place soothed the pup some but it would never be as good as the real thing. Buck knew that, he wished he had thought through his idea of a fun day. Or he should have waited until Eddie was back or had a day off to do this. Chris wouldn't be so upset then.
Another thirty minutes with Chris once again sleeping - or at least faking it well enough Buck didn't question it - his phone rang. Chris whined and gave a puppy growl for being woken a bit, the pup pushed his face right against Buck's neck. Buck chuckled softly and kissed his forehead as he got his phone back out.
He slid his thumb across the screen and put the phone to his ear, "Hey." He replied softly.
"Oh dios. Thank you. You didn't send anything else and I got worried. I'm on the way. Are you okay? Is Chris okay? Did they -" Eddie began questioning.
"Eddie. Eddie slow down. Are you driving?" He asked worriedly.
Eddie huffed, "No. Bobby wouldn't let me. He's driving." The alpha replied a bit irritated.
Buck relaxed, "Ok, good. We're fine. Don't worry. He hasn't gotten worse, maybe a little better but there was talk about getting him a room especially since he has CP and it's flu season, making him more high-risk here. I told them to do it if they could. This is all my fault... I - uh. I'm so sorry Eddie, I gave him the pumpkin seeds and -"
Buck swore he heard Eddie growl but assumed it was interference from Eddie being in a car, "This isn't your fault Buck. I didn't even know you could be allergic to pumpkin seeds and not pumpkin. He loves pumpkin pie and carving pumpkins, you know this." Eddie replied calmly but sternly.
"Yeah but-" Buck tried to argue.
"Buck I would have told you to give them to him if I were there and you offered." Eddie stopped him before changing the subject so Buck couldn't argue anymore, "How is he doing non-medically?"
"He's asleep right now. Definitely getting a little cranky from all the poking and questions but he just misses you, I swear he would have bitten the nurse if she hadn't handed the blanket we brought back." Buck tried to laugh but it fell a bit short.
"He's not usually like that... you brought a blanket from home?" Eddie questioned.
"I kind of freaked out a bit and just grabbed my phone, my charger, wallet, keys, and Chris. I think I have your shoes and jacket on right now. So yeah I just grabbed the one from the couch I thought shoes and coat and crutches would have taken too long and I know I drove but he wasn't that bad so I-" Buck rambled.
"Buck- Buck I get it. I trust you. You did good. We'll be there in 15 minutes okay?" The alpha reassured him.
"Okay, good. I can do 15 minutes." Buck declared.
Fifteen minutes felt like forever, felt longer than the entire three hours they've spent here already. He couldn't even move since Chris was comfortable on his lap, making his fidgeting impossible.
The nurse came over to tell him Chris was getting a room on the doctor's orders but that he should be released by tomorrow if everything worked out.
He heard Eddie's worried questions before he saw or smelled him, though when they got closer he and Bobby smelled more like ash and smoke than anything else. They were led over to the pair in the bed behind the draped off area. Before he knew it he was engulfed in a hug, he was a bit surprised but accepted it. Buck used his free hand to hug the alpha back. He watched Eddie duck down a moment later and kiss Chris' head.
He met Eddie's brown eyes, "Hey. They told me they're getting a room ready for him, that the doctor doesn't like that he hasn't gotten much better and that he's stayed here in the ER for like three hours." Buck said and pulled the blanket back onto Chris where it had slipped.
Chris huffed softly and pressed his face into Buck's again since the hug had shifted the pup in his lap.
Buck glanced at his captain and flushed a bit at Bobby's raised brow when Chris did that, "Sorry you probably want to sit here with him." Buck shifted a bit getting ready to try and maneuver out from under Chris with all the wires and tubes.
"No. No stay." Eddie stopped him and pressed him back against the raised bed.
Buck's face contorted as he looked back at Eddie, "Sorry. I- I should have known Eddie, I should have been watching him closer since I knew he had never had them before and -"
Eddie frowned, "Buck stop. You couldn't of known, I already told you this. You did everything I would have. Would you blame me if I was in your spot?"
"Well no... but he's not my-" Buck tried to argue but stopped when Eddie looked at him.
Eddie sighed and put his hand on Buck's right shoulder, his thumb right by the scent gland on Buck's neck, "I have a will that says otherwise but alright."
Bobby watched the pair, eyes flicking between the pair for a moment, "You couldn't know he was allergic to something he had never tried Buck. Do you blame me for Thanksgiving?"
"No. You didn't - Oh... Right." Buck blushed and ducked his head, his nose now in Christopher's hair.
Chris's nose bunched up before his eyes fluttered open, his oxygen canula almost falling off, "Dad" He smiled sleepily at Eddie as he squirmed to sit up a bit more.
Buck fixed the canula as Chris leaned towards his father.
"Hey mijo" He carefully hugged Chris, not wanting to disrupt any tubes or wires and scented him a bit, though he kept his facial expressions in check as he smelled Chris, if he didn't know better he would have thought Chris was giving off Buck's scent. Buck had scent claimed his pup, did that mean he knew? Did he accept it? Would he say yes? He ignored the look Bobby gave him as he pulled away from his son.
"You smell." Chris's nose scrunched up as he leaned back into Buck.
"Ouch." Eddie replied smiling.
"It's true, you both smell." Buck replied and looked at the somewhat soot covered men.
"Thank you for the reminder." Bobby chuckled and walked over the chair on the other side of the pair on the bed.
Chris turned so his back was fully against Buck's chest, "Hi Cap."
"Hi Chris, how are you feeling?" He asked.
"Itchy and tired." Chris replied and then looked at his dad.
Buck frowned at the reply, "You didn't tell me you were itchy earlier."
"Cause I didn't feel itchy earlier Buck." Chris replied dryly.
"Right... Okay. Well, good news and bad news." Buck stated.
"Great... Bad news first." Chris pouted.
Eddie chuckled, Chris pouted just like Buck.
"You're staying the night. They don't like that you don't feel or look much better. Good news, you get your own room, and ice cream when we get out of here."
Eddie raised a brow and looked at Buck, "Ice cream huh?"
"Who said anything about ice cream? I think you might want to get your hearing checked Eds."
Bobby chuckled at the duo.
"Yeah dad. You're getting old." Chris agreed
"What are you teaching him Buck?" Eddie questioned.
"The truth." The omega smiled brightly and scented Chris.
Eddie walked out to go find a doctor or nurse to talk to. He found a nurse, "Excuse me, um my son is here. We were told he was getting admitted upstairs. No one said anything else about it and he says he's itchy now. He wasn't earlier or at least these past few hours. Right uh he came in for an allergic reaction."
The nurse smiled, "Chris and Buck?" When Eddie nodded in agreement, she replied, "Oh yeah, they are getting his room ready for him now, he should be able to go up soon probably about half an hour or so."
"Oh thank you." Eddie looked over to the semi parted curtain exposing his son and best friend. Chris laughed at something Bobby said, Eddie smiled.
"They are just so cute. You have a wonderful omega. Your family is so cute." The nurse said.
Eddie blushed and looked at her, "Oh I- uh he's not- um thank you. Thanks. Is Dr. Richardson here right now?"
"I don't think so. The on call pediatric doctor on call is Dr. Kent. I can double check and then call someone down."
Eddie nodded, "That would be great. I just need to talk to Dr. Kent or whoever's on call. I just have some questions."
"Of course. Just a moment." She replied smiling.
Buck didn't like how long Eddie was taking, he was sure it showed with how often he tried to sneak a peek out the curtain. Sure Bobby was here with him, but it didn't settle him like Eddie being around did. Bobby was like his dad and he was an omega like him so it was comforting but it felt different with Eddie. He wasn't sure why.
Chris was yawning and rubbing his face against Buck's neck on the other side now, he was facing Bobby. His dad's scent covered Buck's skin right where his nose was so he got both of his favorite scents fresh and on his own skin. He liked how cuddly Buck was with him right now.
Buck pulled the blanket with Eddie's fading scent over Chris and purred softly to help soothe the pup.
"You're good with him." Bobby stated looking at Chris.
"He's an easy kid to take care of, hospital visits included." Buck would have shrugged but he didn't want to disturb Chris who was fighting sleep. Where was Eddie?
"But you're still worried needlessly I might add. I can smell it, it's all over Chris too." Bobby sat back in his chair as he spoke, meeting Buck's gaze.
"He's worried too? I didn-" Buck's eyes widened and he looked down at Chris.
"Your scent I mean Buck. You scent others more when you're worried but Chris is trying to get scented. I mean at least that's what it looks like." He gestured to the pup curled up in Buck's lap with his face pressed against his shoulder, nose where Eddie had touched him.
"Oh... Should I not do that? I know I don't know a lot of the weird rules about this stuff but it's Chris... And I mean if you guys don't want -" Buck questioned.
Bobby looked over Buck with slight confusion, "No Buck. We don't mind you scenting us. We're pack. I - You don't know? Really? I thought I taught you about this already... I must have forgotten then."
"Taught me what?" Buck asked, and seriously where was Eddie? How long did it take to ask a few questions? Most of which had to have been answered by now.
"About scenting." Bobby answered.
"You did. You told me where it would stick best and when to do it with the pack." Buck replied looking pointedly at the older man.
"I mean I didn't teach you about the level of scenting and what that means." Bobby replied.
"What do you mean?" Buck stiffened a bit, did he do something to make Eddie mad? Was that why he was taking so long?
Bobby stared at Buck for a moment, "Well, scenting can be- Sometimes." Bobby stopped taking a moment, "Usually packmates, no matter how close don't heavily scent other members pups. That's usually reserved for the parents or guardians. Like how I scent you more than the others at the fire house."
Buck looked down at Chris and then back at Bobby. "So I shouldn't scent Chris so much... okay..."
"You can but that's really up to Eddie and Chris, people will assume you are his parent though."
"Oh." Buck tried not to visibly react to that response.
"I know you didn't grow up with any familial omegas around you, and scenting can be a very intimate thing between a couple as well, especially an alpha and an omega. Any alpha or omega who scents another's pup could cause some issues but Eddie didn't seem bothered, but maybe talk with him about it. Chris seemed to want more of your scent too, kids are always wanting the people they feel protected by and loved by to scent them though."
"Right." Buck took a deep breath and tried to not freak out over potentially ruining some if not all of his and Eddie's friendship. He hoped he could control his scent enough.
Bobby had stepped out to call the firehouse.
Buck stewed in the new revelations Bobby had placed upon him.
The nurse had come over and told him they were going to move Chris upstairs in the next few minutes.
Bobby was back before Eddie which wasn't surprising but was certainly disappointing. He wasn't sure why.
"Brass isn't too happy with two of us out for so long. So I have to get going but I will be back with the pack after shift alright?" Bobby stated.
He gave Buck a side hug, kissed his head, lightly scented him before giving Chris a fist bump and leaving the small curtained area. "Bye." both Chris and Buck called to the older omega.
Chris was watching the something on Buck's phone since there was no TV, and as Chris put it he was too bored to go back to sleep. Buck didn't recognize the show, the pup turned on but it seemed appropriate. He watched through the curtain gap that Bobby had left open.
Soon he ended up paying attention to the show Chris was playing, he almost fell asleep when a nurse came back after who knows how long to let him know they were going to be moving upstairs in about five minutes. Buck thanked the nurse and gave a small smile.
Buck looked out the curtain once again this time he was able to see Eddie with a doctor, he let out a keen calling to Eddie, what he didn't know was this was usually reserved for mates, though many used it for their long term significant others. He watched Eddie straighten and turn his cheeks looked flushed and he seemed to be acting odd.
Buck watched as the Eddie was speaking with smiled and looked over at them. He watched Eddie put a finger up signaling he would be there in a moment. Buck was content then, Eddie had been gone far too long, he felt something was wrong almost.
Chris had finally and reluctantly let go of Buck when they got upstairs. Buck was finally able to go and use the restroom and grab some snacks, triple checking there was no possible way for pumpkin seeds to have touched these and that they were all things Chris had eaten. He could hear the Diaz boy talking in the room.
"So you're gonna tell him right?" Christopher asked.
"Maybe... Why?" Eddie replied.
"Because I want him to stay with us."
Eddie chuckled, "Me too."
"And his scent is really nice."
"Can't argue with that one kid. Let me get some of this soot off in the bathroom and I can sit on your bed with you okay?"
"But what about Buck?"
"He'll be back..." Eddie replied confused.
"Buck can't sit on the bed if you're on the bed dad."
"Ah, right, well I still need to clean up so I don't ruin the hospital chair."
Buck pushed the door open with his foot, "I have snacks."
Eddie raised a brow from where he stood by the adjoining bathroom.
Buck ignored the conversation he had heard and dropped the snacks on the counter.
The night went by fast, Buck still being Chris' bed 90% of the time, he never complained. The swelling and redness went down but the itchiness stuck around for a little longer. The pack came to visit in small groups when shift was over. Chim had visited briefly before he had to get home to Maddie and Jee-Yun.
Eddie noticed the odd looks from everyone but Bobby, and Karen about Buck's scent being so strong especially over Chris, who was currently alone in bed for the visitors. Buck was in the hall talking with Bobby.
Karen and Maddie were the only betas it made sense for them not to notice but he was cornered in the bathroom by Hen, "Why didn't you tell us?"
"Tell you what?"
Hen gave him a dead look.
He huffed, "It didn't happen first of all. It's Buck."
"Exactly, it's Buck."
Eddie's brow furrowed, "No, Hen, he doesn't get these things. It's obvious he was just worried about Chris, this isn't about me. Chris needed comfort and Buck gave him that."
"Whatever you say..." She obviously didn't believe him but let it be. They exited the bathroom, Karen raised a brow at the duo.
When visiting hours came to an end, Buck was back in the bed with Chris, who was settling back into scent Buck, Hen and Karen looked at Eddie when the two did that. He ignored their looks and continued to speak.
The visitors were kicked out and soon the three of them were all watching the TV and talking about it. Chris fell asleep later than usual due to his naps.
Once asleep Eddie went to the side Buck was primarily occupying and got closer, "Hey."
Buck looked at the alpha and gave a small goofy smile, "Hey."
"Thank you."
Buck titled his head, "For what?"
"For taking care of him like this, you gave him more than you needed to."
"No I didn't."
"You smothered him with your scent and wore mine or brought that blanket too. Unconsciously, or not you got the scents he would feel the safest with and gave them to him." Eddie replied, keeping eye contact with the omega.
"I- oh... I guess I did." He replied softly.
Eddie went to speak before he stopped himself, he took a moment, "You did really good with him Buck," the alpha leaned in closer, "thank you for taking such good care of my pup."
He watched Buck flush, it was a beautiful sight, he couldn't act on it though, Buck didn't realize what he was doing, Bobby confirmed that earlier whether the older omega knew that or not.
Chris got a prison break around noon the next day. He was very happy to no longer have to be hooked up to any machines, and to get the ice cream Buck had promised him the previous day. After being wheeled to the car, they began the drive home while debating where to get ice cream and lunch.
Buck cussed softly, "We don't have his crutches, and there's still pumpkin seeds at you place. I need to decontaminate the whole house now!"
Eddie smiled softly at Buck, "Buck, we can just get food at the drive through. Don't worry about the house Bobby already took care of it."
"What?"
Chris laughed at the way Buck stopped and turned to Eddie.
"Please keep your eyes on the road."
"We're at a red light Eddie."
Eddie rolled his eyes, "I gave Bobby my key after he asked how he could help. I knew you would get to this stage eventually and I wanted to make it easier."
"He doesn't know where anything is Eddie? What if he doesn't put it back right?"
"I'll fix it...?"
Buck huffed, "He aired the house out?"
"Yes. He cleaned it up, aired it out, no more pumpkin seed bits anywhere. You can inspect my house to your hearts content when we get there." Eddie smirked.
Buck's cheeks went red, "Fine."
After getting lunch and ice cream in the car, the trio went home. Chris happily got inside to play his video games with friends. Eddie was content to watch Buck inspect Bobby's work of the kitchen.
Buck looked through the cabinets, even one's that wouldn't have been touched, inspected the cleaning supplies organization, and even checked if the trash had been taken out.
Eddie couldn't stop himself, he got up and boxed Buck in against the counter, tipping his head up to make up for the two inches of height disparity, "Tell me to stop and I will." he breathed before kissing the shocked omega.
Buck's breath hitched, he was stock still.
Eddie pulled back, apology on his lips when Buck grabbed his face with both hands and kissed him deeply.
Eddie put his hands, on Buck's hips,, deepening the kiss. The two of them made out like a couple of teenagers in the kitchen for a bit before Buck pulled away to get air. Eddie's lips went to Buck's chin and then his neck, he stopped right by his scent gland.
"You have no idea what yesterday did to me..." Eddie declared.
"Your kid was in the hospital Eddie -"
"No. No not that. You. You and your scent all over our pup. Our friends looking at me like I-." He pulled back to look at Buck, "You scenting Chris it made me think - but then I could tell because of Bobby's reaction you didn't know. You didn't realize and I held it in, until well now. I'm hoping based on that kiss you uh, you like me too."
Buck smiled, "Nah, I like like you."
"Well, ,that's a relief."
"Kiss me again."
"Yeah..." He pressed his lips against Buck's once again.
Which was how Chris found them five minutes later, "You did it!"
Both adults jumped and pulled apart.
Eddie ducked his head before turning to Chris, "Yeah, well I haven't asked him that yet. We were getting there..."
Chris gave him a deadpan look, "Ask him."
"Ask me what?" Buck questioned.
Chris cut Eddie off, "If you would stay here with us. You can sleep in dad's room, he has a really big bed."
Buck grinned widely while Eddie put a hand on his head, "Yeah superman, I'll stay here, if that's okay with your dad."
Eddie looked at the two of them wither their matching longing looks, "Yeah, it's alright with me."
Buck kissed the alpha again and couldn't stop smiling.