Chapter Text
“Okay kiddos!” Buck called the class back to attention. They were wrapping up another day of learning with his favourite new thing. “Question time! Who’s got any good ones?”
“Mr Buck!” One boy, Jimmy, raised his hand. “If the sun is out for the day, and the moon is for the night, why can we see the moon during the day?” Buck nodded a couple times.
“That is a fantastic question, thank you Jimmy.” He smiled, before turning back. “Who thinks they might know the answer?” A few hands went up. He picked one of the younger boys.
“I think it’s because the moon is so big that even when the sun goes up and tries to push it out of the sky, it can’t.”
“You know what.” Buck nodded a couple times again. “I see where you’re coming from. Because the moon and the sun are really big. But that’s not quite it.”
“I know!” Aurelia sat up straight, grinning right at him.
“Go on.” Buck encouraged her.
“It’s because even when the sun is up, the moon is still big and bright enough.”
“That’s correct.” Buck smiled. “So you can see them both at once! How cool is that?” Jimmy nodded happily.
“Anyone else?”
“Mr Buck? Why are some parents married and some are mated?” Adam asked.
“That is a great question!” Buck announced. “I’ll answer this one. So, every family and all parents are different. They are all special in their own way. There is no right or wrong way to have a family.” He started strong, looking around the room. “Now some people, when they love each other lots and lots they can get married, they can mate or they can do both!”
“Why?” Adam pushed.
“Marriage,” Buck turned to write the word on the board. “Is a government legal process that tells the government that they love each other.” He scanned the room to check for confused pups. “Normally they have a bit of a party and it’s pretty exciting.”
“Can we have a party?” Denny asked.
“Not right now.” Buck laughed. “Ask your Mums. So some people, instead of getting married, they create what’s called a bond. When adults love each other very, very much, sometimes they choose to bond with each other. There’s no paperwork, it’s just a special type of kiss. Which you shouldn’t be doing. Until you’re an adult.” He scrambled a little bit at the end. It was a vastly simplified answer to a complex question, but he was a little proud of himself. “Any last questions?” No one raised their hands. “Okay! Class dismissed!” He went to open the front door. The parents came in to collect the kids, saying goodbye to Buck so he could mark them appropriately.
“Papi!” Mirabelle came running over to him. Buck scooped her up, putting her on his hip. He ignored the slight twinge in his bad leg. It was mostly healed, but sometimes he got fun twitches.
“Did you enjoy school today?” He asked, glancing over towards Christopher and Aurelia. Chris was predictably with Denny and Louis, Aurelia was… oh. Sitting with Adam. Perhaps discussing the moon.
“Yes! It was very cool!” She hung off his arm. “Can I go find Grandma? She’s gonna show me how to play a card game.”
“Can you wait for Ravi to head out? I want to make sure you’re safe.” They were safe here. He knew that. He really did. Just maybe sometimes he wanted to be extra sure.
“Okay!” She agreed, giggling and running away.
“Papi!” Aurelia came over, with Adam. “I have something important to tell you.”
“What’s up?” Buck squatted down, smiling at them both.
“We’re getting married.” A grin broke over his face before he could stop himself. This was so cute. This might be the cutest thing he’s ever seen.
“Well. That’s very exciting. Congratulations.” What do you say to two kindergarteners who claim they’re getting married?
“Thank you.” She reached over and held Adam’s hand. They both blushed red, giggling. Oh this is really cute.
“Mr Buck!” He stood quickly, holding his clipboard. They had run later into the afternoon than normal, so many parents were ready out the front. Most kids had figured out some kind of carpool, so they left four to five at a time. Buck always stuck around for about an hour, before the remaining kids headed to the hall to play games or sometimes watch a movie.
“Hey you.” Eddie came wandering over when they were more cleared out.
“Hey.” Buck smiled, wrapping his arms around Eddie’s shoulders to lean his weight into the Alpha for a moment.
“How was your day?” Eddie asked softly.
“It was good.” He caught sight of Adam and Aurelia playing a game in the corner. “Hey, wanna see something cute?”
“Sure.” Eddie replied. Buck took his hand, leading him in. “Hey Lia?”
“Daddy!” She grinned, waving at Eddie.
“Hey, mija. Whatcha up to?”
“Me and Adam are getting married.” Buck chuckled again, turning to face Eddie who was-
“What?” He demanded, no smile in sight.
“Eddie.” Buck tugged his hand. “It’s-”
“Married. Papi taught us!” Aurelia answered. Eddie turned to Buck, looking like Buck had caused the biggest scandal of the century.
“Come here.” Buck demanded softly. “You two keep playing.” He pulled Eddie a couple of tables away. “Eddie, it's a joke!”
“Who is that young boy?”
“The five year old?” Buck teased. “The one who held hands with our daughter earlier.” Eddie’s frown deepened. “Eddie, you're being ridiculous.”
“And you’re teaching her that any random boy is good enough for her. Absolutely not. No boy, ever is good enough for any of our children. They don't have my blessing.” Buck laughed at his silly mate. He looped his arms around Eddie’s shoulders, smiling again.
“Luckily that’s not a problem. Because they are kindergarteners. And it’s not a real wedding.”
“I don’t like it.” Eddie pouted.
“Hmm well I like you.” The alpha blinked, before smiling a little, scent lifting.
“Maybe I like you too.”
“That would be convenient.” Buck agreed. “Now, go play with our daughter and her fiance. I have a bad feeling that by the start of school tomorrow they won’t remember the idea of the wedding at all.” Eddie huffed, nodding softly and giving him a quick kiss.
It was later, after dinner, after bedtime and stories that Buck found himself lying in his nest. He was curled up, waiting for Eddie to come to bed. He had insisted on finding something, and had been gone for a while. He was pretty close to marching out there and pulling his mate to bed when Eddie appeared in the doorway.
He was nervous. Just in his minute hop from foot to foot, so softly it was almost perceived as walking.
“Hey you.” Buck smiled, sitting up a bit. The bond was flooded with love and adoration and as he guessed, nerves.
“Marry me.” Uh-
“Pardon?” Buck managed, blinking a couple times. Eddie scrambled forward at this, falling to his knees next to Buck’s side of the bed.
“Marry me.” He repeated. “Please?” Buck’s brain was still offline. “I know it sounds odd and slightly out of place. But Buck, we- we are everything. You and I. You know that. We’re mated and that is perfect for me. But I want the whole goddamn world to know, whether they look at your hand or your neck. I want you to know that I’m dedicated to you the whole way.” Eddie rambled a bit, reaching out to clasp Buck’s hands in his. “The bond, hell, the bond will always mean more to me than a bit of paper indicating our partnership. But I want everything with you. I want a wedding with you. Please. Please make me the luckiest guy in the world- like I am every day. Marry me?”
“Yes.” Buck breathed, laughing and pulling Eddie towards him. “Yes of course. God yes, I love you.”
“I love you too.” Buck pulled him into bed, pushing him gently until he was in the position Buck wanted.
“So, just to be clear…” Buck started. “Earlier, you were jealous of our daughter.” Eddie sat up so quickly Buck rolled a little bit off him. The unhinged look Buck got, no matter how dark, made him laugh.
"No." Eddie denied. "Just made me think."
"Mhm," Buck hummed, pulling Eddie to lie on his chest. "How dare you lie to your new fiancé."
"Well I don't mind that." Eddie muttered back, settling.
“You’re going to be my husband.”
“And you will be mine.”