Work Text:
Eddie isn't sure why he is there, but Buck invited him so who was he to say no it wasn't as if he was busy Chris was at a birthday party/sleepover so he'd probably have asked Buck to hang out anyway. So that's how he ends up at a Buckley family meal, not that he minds getting to be around Buck and his family. Also, playing with Jee-yun was always a treat, it's been a long time since Chris was that age. Of course, he felt out of place, but Maddie and Chimney didn't at all mind having him there, he still tried to help as much as possible with the cooking and serving.
"Oh really, Eddie you don't have to help," Maddie tells him
"You're scared I'm gonna burn down the kitchen?" Eddie retorts, raising an eyebrow, she smiles at him.
"I am glad you are here," Maddie says "Buck seems lighter with you around," Eddie's breath hitches slightly at the compliment "That's always a plus around our parents," Eddie blushes slightly
"Not sure Buck feeling lighter is always a good thing, he tends to cause mischief in my house," Eddie laughs slightly, serving the food onto plates
"Don't make me regret you coming," Maddie jokes, squeezing his arm as he passes.
"I'll try to keep him in check," Eddie answers following her to the table dishes in hand.
"Keep who in check?" Buck asks, heading towards the table, Jee-yun in his arms attempting to sneak some food into his mouth.
"You," Eddie slaps his hand away, Jee-Yun giggles before reaching for Eddie, which he wasn't really expecting but took the infant anyway. "She knows I'm right," Eddie says pointing at Jee, Buck just rolls his eyes at him.
"Traitor," Buck whispers, tickling Jee's side causing her to squirm slightly, unbeknownst to them Maddie had been watching the whole interaction.
"Those lovesick teenagers," she mutters to Chimney, who turns to observe as well.
The table ended up being Eddie and Buck across from each other, Jee next to Eddie and Maddie on the other side, and Margaret at the head of the table. Phillip was across from Maddie and Chimney was in the middle. It was a weird configuration, they weren't gonna lie but Eddie had offered to help feed Jee-yun so Maddie could relax a little more, it was also so Eddie might not have to interact with Phillip and Margaret as much. Although his plan didn't work.
"So Howie said your name was Eddie?" Phillip asked, Maddie smiled gently while taking over feeding Jee-yun
"Yes, I work with both Buck and Chimney," Eddie answers "Or um Howie," he says awkwardly looking at Chimney, who waves him off.
"Oh it's lovely how close you have become," Margaret says, Eddie is about to agree when he feels a foot against his, making its way up his leg, which let's just say throws him completely off guard. He begins choking and coughing.
"Woah, are you ok?" Maddie asks while Eddie takes a couple of sips of water.
"Yeah, spit just went down the wrong way," he answers while seeing the smirk Buck is showing Eddie and hiding from the rest of the table.
"So I've heard about some weird calls recently?" Phillip asks Buck, and as Buck goes to answer, Eddie takes the opportunity to kick him hard in the shin. Eddie had to fight the urge to laugh when Buck muffled a small shriek.
"Yeah, Chim tells them about that gym call," Buck answers in a higher pitch.
"Ok...," Chimney says suspiciously but starts telling the story, which greatly entertains Margaret and Phillip.
Meanwhile, a war had started beneath the table, each one acting like young boys seeing who could kick the hardest and or muffle their reactions the best. This went on for about ten minutes before they became painfully aware that Maddie had seen everything that had transpired. This became clear when she stamped on both their feet and glared at them and they hid the pain.
"Why don't we head back to the lounge," Maddie suggested once they'd all finished eating.
"You two were playing footsie under the table?" Maddie whisper-shouts at them once the Buckley parents leave for the living room, trying her hardest to keep a straight face. Buck's face turns completely red while Eddie is just struggling not to laugh. Chimney looks between the two clearly confused as to what is going on.
"I wouldn't call it footsie," Buck answers finally
"What would you call it?" Chimney question struggling to think as an alternative
"I mean Buck was more kicking me under the table...AH OUCH," Eddie says as he flinches away from the table, to which Eddie whacks him over the table.
"OW! That was hard," Buck dramatically rubs his arm, to which Eddie responds with a fake sad face.
"Oh poor baby," Eddie mocks, pouting mockingly
"Lord gives me strength, it's like you two can't go two minutes without touching each other or doing something stupid together," Maddie sighed, getting up and heading toward where her parents had headed. Eddie and Buck smiled at each other as they had both successfully pissed off the older sister.
"God, Maddie is right you two are like love-sick teenagers," Chimney exasperates leaving them following Maddie. Now that was something they didn't expect.
"Lovesick?" Buck tries to ask Chimney as he leaves the room, but he doesn't answer. He looks at Eddie who is still reeling until he realizes that Buck is looking at him.
"I don't know," he shrugs, he does know. He knows exactly what they are talking about. But gets up anyway picking up the dishes and taking them to the kitchen.