And Chris is just so so sorry.
He's back now, having talked with his dad back in El Paso. They're... They're better now, if not perfect. At least they're being honest with each other, like really ACTUALLY honest about how they feel, and it's not comfortable but it's better. They both just wanna get better.
He and his dad promised to work with each other. To talk it through and to stop trying to do it all on their own. No more holding back, no more lies, and no more pretending. They have to trust each other, and they have to remember they're on the same team.
Because Eddie keeps making decisions without talking to him. He keeps assuming what Chris wants, taking responsibility for things he doesn't need to, and everytime he does he follows it up with something reckless. His dad is going too far. Chris never asked for a stepmother, he never asked Eddie to come to El Paso, he never asked for any of this, but Eddie keeps insisting he's doing it all for Chris.
And Chris knows what he's doing. He knows every tantrum makes his dad feel guilty, that every argument makes him more insecure. He can't entirely help it, he doesn't know what to do with himself or how to handle it - but he knows that it hurts his dad and maybe that'll wake him up a little.
But that's still his dad, and Chris is still Eddie's baby, and they need each other more than anything.
Eddie doesn't wanna be like his father. Chris doesn't wanna lose another parent.
So they yell and they cry. Doors are slammed and someone swears and they feel worse and better at the same time. But they talk. When it's over they share hugs and mushy kisses and apologies. They make promises and they start to make their way back home. To LA.
Where Buck is living in their old house.
And Chris.. Chris forgot, for a minute. He was wrapped up in his own feelings, his own mess, his own anger. He forgot about his friends after a while, ignoring their messages when his chest hurt too much to respond. He stopped caring about the games and books he left behind, preferring to sleep most of the day so he didn't have to think too hard.
He didn't forget about his Buck, couldn't if he tried, but he forgot just how much he needed his best friend.
Buck is right there, surprised and clearly tired but warm and bright all the same. He hesitates for all of half a second before wrapping Chris up in a full, warm hug- but half a second is enough for Chris to notice, and the thought that Buck would question if it was welcome sends a pang of uncertainty to Chris's chest.
Because Chris isn't stupid. He KNOWS Buck. Buck is always touchy and loud. Chris has always indulged him, accepting tickles and high fives and forehead kisses before bed. Buck loves the attention obviously, getting that same sappy look on his face as his dad whenever they think he's not looking. But now he's acting... Chris isn't sure.
Buck is still smiling, bouncing around their (his?) living room and gushing about whatever he's showing Eddie. The place is different now, Buck clearly having redecorated, and though it looks nice it bugs Chris in a way that he can't describe.
When Chris overhears whispers between his dad and Buck though, it clicks.
"I didn't think you were coming back."
And Chris kind of wants to throw up. He never- of course they were coming back. It was always temporary - he needed space to be angry and to think. He only meant to leave for a little while, make his dad see how bad he messed up. It was never about leaving LA for good. They figured it out, they made up and whatever, so of course they would come back here. This is their home.
But it's not like he talked to Buck about it, is it? He chose to go to El Paso instead of with Buck, even though he knew Buck would let him stay no matter what. He chose to call him less and less, giving him clipped answers and late replies. It wasn't personal, he had only been trying to get away from his dad. He forgot about Buck.
But Buck promised he would never leave Chris, and he kept it. Chris never promised the same.
Buck didn't know they were coming back, and Chris knows how it feels when someone you love leaves for good.
He asks Buck later if he's mad, and the wet smile and soft "never" he gets in return is sweet enough that Chris believes him. He makes Buck promise him anyway:
" We're a team, we don't lie and we don't leave."
And with a soft kiss to their entertwined pinkies, it's sealed.
