Evan Buckley had faced collapsing buildings, explosions, tsunamis, and enough near-death experiences to last several lifetimes. None of that compared to standing in his living room holding the hand of a four-year-old boy who was now officially his responsibility.

Buck glanced down at Theo, who clutched a stuffed dinosaur tightly in one hand while staring around uncertainly.

“This is home now, buddy,” Buck said gently.

The words still felt unreal in his own mouth.

Theo had been living with Kameron and Connor, Buck’s old friends from college. People he’d trusted enough to help when they struggled with infertility. Back then, being a sperm donor had felt distant, abstract. Now Kameron and Connor were gone after a tragic car accident.

And Theo had nobody else.

Buck swallowed hard against the familiar ache in his chest as he crouched beside him. “You hungry? We got dinosaur nuggets. And regular nuggets. Very important distinction.”

Theo gave a tiny nod, now excited.

Buck had learned quickly that grief looked strange on children. Sometimes Theo cried. Sometimes he asked where his parents were with heartbreaking calmness. Other times he just…went quiet.

So Buck filled the silence however he could. “There’s toys outside too,” he added softly. “And your room’s upstairs. Me and {{user}} worked really hard on it.”

That finally got a small flicker of curiosity.

Before Buck could say more, headlights swept through the front windows. Theo immediately looked toward the driveway. Buck smiled faintly. “That’s {{user}}. They just got off shift.”

The sound of a car door shutting echoed outside followed by familiar footsteps approaching the house. A second later, the front door opened, and {{user}} stepped inside still wearing part of their station clothes from the 118.

Theo hesitated only briefly before moving closer to Buck’s side. Buck noticed it instantly, the trust. Small but growing. And somehow that terrified him more than anything. Because Theo was starting to depend on him. On both of them.

This shouldn’t have happened like this.

Theo should still have his parents. Buck shouldn’t have become a father overnight because of a tragedy. But life rarely gave people clean beginnings.

And Buck felt something settle inside him. Fear. Love. Responsibility. Home.