WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSE

ct-9904:

Buck sighed annoyed as he say on one of the benches in the mall. He had let himself be convinced to tag along with everyone to the mall to do their Christmas shopping and just hang out but somehow he had gotten left out of most things because everyone’s SO and kids had tagged along. Everyone but Eddie and Chris had come today because there was a family thing they had to do. So here he sat alone on a bench trying to ignore the oogeling people who passed.

Buck pulled out his phone and was going through his messages when a kid flicked him in his ear. Buck jolted as he whipped his head around and looked at the kid who must have been at least 13. “Dude not cool.”

He shook his head and went back to what he was doing when the kid did it again… and again. He looked around and seen a woman approaching and calling out to the kid. “Ma'am I’d really appreciate it if you could talk to your son about keeping his hands to himself, it’s-”

“Don’t be such a scrooge. It’s the holidays and he’s a kid.” The woman rolled her eyes and walked off with her son. Buck sat there mouth slightly agape but decided to shake it off. It was just one rude kid, he shouldn’t let it ruin the rest of his day. Buck took out his headphones and decided to listen to music for a bit to pass time.

Buck was about halfway into this album before something pipping hot was spilled all over his stomach and lap. Buck shot up with a string of curses and ripping out his headphones. “Jesus fuck oh my God oh my God. What the hell man?!”

“Dude it was an accident, chill out. Don’t be such a scrooge man. You can get new clothes.” The man who had stumbled and spilled his coffee all over Buck. Buck pinched the bridge of his nose and waited to one of the bathrooms to clean up the best he could. He sighed as his phone rang and answered it not looking at the caller ID. “What?”

“Well someone sounds thrilled… Don’t be such a scrooge Evan. It’s the holidays, a friendly hello would be nice.” Eddie laughed jokingly.

“Why does everyone keep saying that!?” Buck practically yelled out in the bathroom, suddenly grateful no one else was in there.

“Buck, you okay man?” Eddie asked, concern suddenly laced in his voice.

“It’s…it’s been a long day Eddie okay. Let’s just leave it at that.” Buck groaned as he wiped the sticky drink off his stomach.

“That’s fair, hey look are you still at the mall? Bobby said you had wandered off and didn’t know if you were still here.” Eddie asked and Buck could hear Chris saying hi I’m the background.

“Yeah, I’m in the bathroom by the arcade area. Mind picking me up some clothes from a store? I’ll pay you back.” Buck asked.

“Uh…yeah sure. But of a weird request but I’m sure Christopher and I can manage to find you something real quick. See you in a minute.” Eddie laughed as he hung up and Buck sighed shrugging out of his jacket and waiting.

The door to the bathroom opened and Eddie and Christopher walked in. “We come bearing clothes!”

“Thank God.” Buck sighed out as the tension left his shoulders.

“Damn, you look like you’ve had one hell of a day man.” Eddie said as he took out the clothes he had just gotten Buck. Buck thanked him before moving into one of the larger stalls and began changing.

“Yeah that’s one way to put it man. Being left out, an annoying kid, a flat tire, hot coffee being spilled all over me… Yeah its been a day Eddie.” Buck said as he balled up his clothes and walked out and took the bag Eddie offered. “How about you two?”

“It was fun!!” Christopher shouted out happily before Chris and Eddie both added. “But we can’t tell you about it because it’s a secret.”

Buck gave a questioning look too his best friend who smiled and made a zipped lips motion.

“Would you mind keeping an eye on Christopher while I go take care of something?” Eddie asked, hands resting gently on his son’s shoulders and mouthed ‘Last minute gift we passed on the way to the bathroom I wanna get him.’

Buck nodded and smiled. “Yeah man of course! Any chance to hang out with my favorite bud I’ll take.”

Eddie made a fake pained noise and clutched at his chest as Chris giggled. “Ouch, I thought I was your favorite Buck. You wound me my dear friend.”

Buck laughed as they left the bathroom and parted ways. “What do you want to do today little man?”

“Ice creaammm” Christopher said happily and who was Buck to deny that bright smile some ice cream. They went and got ice cream and were sitting on a bench outside of a bookstore talking about a new comic book Chris read when once again Buck’s luck took a turn.

Now Buck may have been a bit cocky at times but he had a good hold on his temper especially when Christopher was present but this guy made something snap inside of him and he completely blacked out.

“Buck…Evan calm down, calm down.” Eddie was in front of him. Extra sets of hands, he later found out were Chimney and Bobby also trying to get him to stay put, loosened their grip.

“I don’t-” Buck panted out as his head pounded and he allowed them to steer him back onto the bench. “I-is Chris okay?”

“Yeah he’s fine Buck, he told us what happened and he just wants to make sure you’re okay man.” Eddie said before asking, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah… yeah I’m okay.” Buck noticed Eddie’s knuckles on his right hand were bruised and frowned. “Are you?”

“Yeah I may have punched the guy to get him off you after he said something about you being a holiday scrooge…but yeah I’m fine. Just some bruised knuckles Buck I’ll live.”

“Bah humbug.” Buck mumbled earning a laugh from everyone as they patted his shoulder.

“Our Buckaroo? A scrooge? Nah, he’s just had an off day. We all have them.” Hen said from where she stood.

“Let’s go get you some new ice cream champ.” Bobby said causing everyone to laugh and Christopher was brought around the corner by Karen. Buck smiled at him as Chris threw his arms around him. Maybe today could be redeemed a bit.

(Sorry if this one’s not the greatest, and kinda all over the place. Thank you so much for the requests 💙💙💙💙💙💙🥺)