Can I say something somewhat controversial...
Buck is not Christopher's dad.
He just isn't. I see their relationship the same way I saw Bobby's relationship with Athena's kids. It exist is the stepparent realm which is objectively different. I think he absolutely is a parental figure to Chris in the same way Bobby was, however without the official implication of a relationship with Eddie.
That doesn't make their bond any less special and I hate to see people eradicate Chris from the narrative but I also think there is nuance. Like Eddie is still a single dad at the end of the day.
I think Buck is insecure or at least unsure of where exactly he stands in rehargs to fatherhood (with Chris because his relationship with Eddie is undefined and with Theo for obvious reasons). The comment Harry made about kids to Buck in 9x18 had some of the fandom angry but I don't think that is meant to erase Chris, its purpose is to foreground a storyline of Buck fully coming into himself as a parent next season. Because helping raise Chris doesn't mean he fully understands fatherhood. He hasn't experienced it in its entirety. (Also we have no clue who else in the 118 knows about Eddie's will).
I'm not saying Buck hasn't stepped up for Chris. He has gone far beyond what any "friend" would do for their friends kid. He has always had Eddie's back and been there for Chris (with Eddie and when Eddie couldn't) but I think the next season opens a new door for Buck's journey of fatherhood.
Fatherhood is days and nights and doctors meeting and school meetings. It is A LOT.
The same situation applies to Eddie when he returns from Afghanistan. Of course he is Chris's biological father but he wasn't acting as a dad at that point. The parallel between Buddie is coming in for Buck stepping in to a parental role for Theo at the same age Eddie had to really step up and be present for Chris.
Buck has been an absolute supporting force for Eddie but as far as we are concerned he hasn't had serious responsibility for Chris. Yes he is in Eddie's will and there has been many instances where he has given Chris guidance or taken care of him for the day BUT he isn't a caregiver. The closest we get to this is after Eddie is shot but this is a temporary situation. I know fics and fanon love to have Buck join the PTA or take Chris to the doctors but that isn't canon (and in a lot of instances actually just undermining Eddie's own fatherhood and capability but I wont get into that). I would say Buck currently functions in a godfather kind of role (connected to being a prospective legal guardian if Eddie was to croak it).
I know fanon loves to exaggerate Buck's parental role to make him "equal" to Eddie but it is just so unneccessary...
Chris and Buck have such a special bond!! I hope we continue to see it!! You'll hear from me if we don't. And hopefully he will officially become a stepdad going forward. Ultimately Chris is 15/16?? Who knows with this show anymore. Obviously he adores Buck but even then if Buddie was to get married I truly don't think he would start calling Buck anything different. Maybe he would refer to him as his dad in the same way May did, which I think would be super sweet but teenagers changing their everyday language like that is uncommon.
I also don't think its necessarily needed for Buck to adopt Chris. Could there be a sweet plot about that (and Eddie adopting Theo)? Of course but that is not necessary to me. What is more important is showing their bond. I loveeee a positive stepparent / stepchild dynamic.
None of this is about biological connection before anybody comes at me! BECAUSE BUCK IS ALOS NOT THEO'S DAD! He is currently an emergency foster parent. Yes he is the biological father but he hasn't become his dad yet. For all we know he might be Mr Poop forever (I actually think it could be really dynamic to not have Theo call Buck dad either and could continue the shows conversation around the found family but don't let me ramble - also I do not expect that to be how it plays out and would cry if Theo did).
Theo's relationship to Buddie is different because he is so young (and therefore a bit more malleable in his perception of them). If Buck and Eddie were to get together at the very start of Buck fostering of course then Eddie might exist in a more specifically parental role than Buck does for Christopher. But this is all speculative...I think that the Buckley-Diaz dynamic going forward is complex!
I think this unsettles people because that throws off peoples sense of equilibrium BUT I think its ok for kids to have different dynamics with their parents (or stepparents)!
If Chris had complicated feelings about that it would be even more realistic! What isn't complicated is the fact that Buck loves Chris and their bond doesn't require rigid familial titles to be valid.
I don't know I feel like some people (more so on Twitter) are almost pitting Chris and Theo against each other...they can coexist!
I find it interesting that some people are so adamantly against the Theo plot when Buddie has ALWAYS been a couple that involves one of the pair having a child...like I don't understand people who cannot stand the kid plot when Buddie has always included a kid (I can ofc understand people not a huge fan of the donor part). I do however, understand (and am included!) in the group that worries about how Eddie and Christopher remain important to the plot. ESPECIALLY because so much of Eddie's plot has been fixated on his role as a single dad and now Buck is also occupying that archetype that used to be unique to Eddie on the show.
And then I feel like I see certain people talking about Buddie and Theo, without including Chris which is so so upsetting (don't get me started on how certain people in the fandom characterise or portray Chris, that is a WHOLE different issue and one I don't feel entitled to discuss, but yeah this fandom has some crazy ableism...)
As a whole I actually think the idea of two single dads in their mid thirties getting into a gay relationship and raising a family together on network television would be so monumental!! The family having a complex dynamic that can explore the intricacies of a blended family could be so interesting! We've seen this blended family with the Grant's and Bobby and I would love for the show to continue exploring this!!
So I'm letting the show cook for now...of course I will have more thoughts next season. There is a lot to consider...however I more than anything hope to see Eddie and Chris's relationship itself to get screen time and this not to just become the Buck show (I'm still mad about the offical insta's fathers day post kind of snubbing them...)
I just can anticipate a lot of angry people when Buck's arc is stepping into fatherhood next season...but that is what he is doing. Because he hasn't been a father to Chris in a full capacity and that is ok!!!