A smile instantly appeared on Eddie's face as he eyed the freshly baked cookies. He followed the scent from the moment he walked into the house, mouth watering.
He snatched one without a second thought, but before it could reach his mouth Buck leaned over to pull the sweet treat from his hand.
"Those aren't for you." He stated, putting the cookie back on the plate.
Since when? Eddie thought, but only tilted his head and gave a confused look at Buck.
"They're for Christopher. He's taking them to school today." He clarified. Smiling over to the teen who was sitting at the table.
"I was just going to test it for you." Eddie perked up, ready to grab for the cookie again. Buck picked up the plate before he could.
"I let Chris try one already."
"They're great." Christopher replied. "You're not the only Buck food tester in this town." He teased, giving his dad a cheeky grin when Buck turned to put the plate on another counter.
"I guess I have competition, huh?" He raised an eyebrow to his son, a playful smirk on his face. "Everything Buck makes is great." Eddie sighed, acting like he was solely talking to Christopher. "That's why I love when he lets me try his food. It's been a while since he made cookies..." He put on his best pout, tracing little circles on the counter top in front of him.
Buck huffed when he turned to see big, brown eyes. He knew Eddie had learned that he had a weak spot for his puppy eyes, but it didn't stop an affectionate smile from growing on his face.
"Easy soldier, no reason to bring out the big guns." Buck held his hands up a moment before reaching back for the plate. He held it out to the other.
The cookie was once again snatched up, Eddie looking triumphant.
"You cave after one look? You spoil him too much and now his ego his going to be insane." Chris pretended to be stern, but was grinning the whole time.
"Excuse me?" Buck put the plate back on the counter to put his hands on his hips. "You did the same thing not even 10 minutes ago."
"I'm your son, you're supposed to spoil me." Chris said it so easily that it stunned Buck into silence, his hands still on his hips with his jaw slack and eyes wide.
Eddie stopped mid chew, looking a little surprised by the suddeness of the admission but not by what Chris was saying. He already knew the kid thought the world of Buck.
"What?" Chris could feel the shift in the room.
"You, you said your my son." Buck could barely get the words out without his voice wavering with emotion.
"Well..." Christopher's smile grew, tilting his head in confusion. It was a similar look his father had given moments ago. "I am." He said it like it was the most obvious thing.
You could see Buck's grip tighten on his hips. He took a deep breath and let it out.
"You're going to cry." It was definitely a statement from the younger Diaz.
"No!" Buck defended. "I-I just need to go to th-the bathroom." His voice cracked as he quickly walked out of the room.
There was another silence, Eddie and Chris staring after Buck.
"He's crying." Chris repeated.
Oh, definitely." Eddie nodded, taking another bite of his cookie.
"Man, imagine what he'd do if you told him you're in love with him." Chris followed up.
Eddie choked.
