Hello! So this is a prequel to my fic where Buck leaves LA for five years post Bobby’s death. It tracks Buck’s (mostly) long distance friendship with Chris over that time:
Chris is coming out of the movie theater with his friends when he sees him. He’s kind of hard to miss, tall and broad and with Robby sat on his shoulders, his little arms wrapped around Buck’s head. It’s Jee-Yun that spots Chris, pulling on Buck’s hand and pointing, waving over at him.
‘Uncle Buck, it’s Chris!’
They come over and Chris has to stop, his friends a pace behind, watching the moment unfold.
'Uhh, hey. How are you?’ says Buck and he looks a little panicked so at least it’s not just Chris that has no idea what to do here.
It isn’t like they’re aren’t in touch. They message each other pretty frequently, Chris keeps Buck updated on his grades and extracurriculars. Buck still sends him postcards from each new town he moves to or visits. Chris knows Buck comes to LA sometimes to see Maddie and Chimney and the kids but he’s never once suggested they meet up in person.
Jee is looking up at them and she’s old enough now to pick up on weirdness, tension between adults, not that Chris feels particularly grown up right this minute but he’s older than Jee, cousin adjacent, and he doesn’t want her to be confused or worried.
'I’m good,’ Chris smiles and hopes it’s convincing enough for a nine year old, mostly addressing Jee when he says, 'how are you guys?’
'Toy Story!’ says Robby, kicking his feet against Buck’s chest.
'Yeah, we’re going to see the new Toy Story,’ says Buck.
Chris isn’t sure which number they’re even on for those movies and it would have been him once upon a time, with Buck and dad, getting popcorn and candy and enough soda to make him feel sick.
'Well, have fun,’ he says, 'make sure Buck gets you all the candy you want.’
There’s a pause and he’s acutely aware of his friends witnessing this whole awkward exchange, Jee and Robby none the wiser and excited for their movie, Buck looking worried.
'How long are you in town for?’ he asks Buck, the question bursting out of him.
'Until then end of the week,’ he says, 'it’s my sister’s birthday.’
It’s odd he refers to her like that, like she’s a person Chris doesn’t know when he probably sees Maddie more than Buck does even though he hangs out with his dad and the 118 much less these days. Buck used to send Maddie postcards and now he sends them to Chris; maybe he’s sending them to Maddie again too.