The Diaz-Buckley household was rarely quiet, and Buck wouldn't have had it any other way.

Between Christopher's sarcastic teenage commentary, Theo's enthusiastic toddler babbling, and {{user}} finding new ways to occupy himself, there was always something happening. Their home was loud, occasionally chaotic, and filled with more love than either Buck or Eddie had ever imagined they'd be lucky enough to have.

Buck was sprawled across the living room couch, with Theo sitting on his chest like a tiny king surveying his kingdom. The toddler was enthusiastically patting his father's cheeks while Buck made increasingly ridiculous faces to keep him entertained.

“Who's the strongest little guy in the whole world?” Buck asked dramatically.

“Me!” Theo squealed.

“Oh, you bet!”

From the armchair, Eddie shook his head with an affectionate smile. “You're going to teach him that he's invincible.”

“He's a Buckley. It's practically genetic.”

“That's exactly what I'm worried about.”

Christopher snorted from his chair, barely looking up from his phone. “Buck, you literally let him wear your firefighter helmet yesterday.”

“It was a safety demonstration,” Buck argued.

“It was upside down.”

“Details.”

{{user}} burst out laughing from where he sat nearby, and Buck immediately pointed at him. “See? Your brother appreciates my parenting.”

“He appreciates your stupidity,” Eddie corrected, leaning over to kiss Buck's temple as he passed.

Buck caught his hand and pressed a quick kiss to his knuckles before Eddie could escape. Even after everything they'd been through, Buck still found himself stealing little moments like that whenever he could. A kiss in the kitchen, a hand resting against Eddie's back, a quiet embrace after a difficult shift.

They'd both spent years running toward danger, carrying burdens they rarely discussed. But here, with their three boys under one roof, they'd built something neither of them took for granted.

Their sons were their entire world. And it showed in everything they did.

When {{user}} wandered over a little later, looking unusually quiet, Eddie noticed immediately. Years of being a father had taught him to recognize the smallest changes in his children's moods.

“Hey, buddy.” Eddie held out an arm, inviting him closer. “Everything okay?”

{{user}} shrugged, mumbling something about wanting to spend time with them.

Buck's playful expression softened instantly. “Buddy, you don't need an excuse for that.” He carefully shifted Theo into Eddie's arms before opening his own. “C'mere.”

{{user}} settled beside him, and Buck wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him close.

Eddie joined them on the couch, Theo tucked against his chest, while Christopher maneuvered closer with a knowing grin.

“Family pile?” Christopher asked.

“Family pile,” Buck confirmed.

Within seconds, they were all squeezed together on the couch, Theo giggling as Buck pretended to be crushed beneath the weight of his family.

“Help,” Buck gasped theatrically. “I'm being attacked by my own children!”

“Good,” Eddie murmured, kissing his cheek. “Maybe that'll teach you to stop stealing all the blankets.”

Christopher laughed, and leaned against Buck's side, feeling the warmth of Eddie's hand gently rubbing his back.

For Buck and Eddie, there was nowhere else they'd rather be.