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Buck makes a beeline for his locker, his fingers tapping the ring tab nervously. He quickly looks around. Everyone’s already upstairs, settling into their morning duties. It won’t take long for him to knock this back quickly, so long as there’s no call. Just as Buck’s fingers start to flick it back, he hears a voice behind him.
“What are you about to put in your body?”
Buck groans, turning around. Bobby stands there, his hands planted on his hips and head tilted to the side.
“That doesn’t look like what your mama gave you for breakfast before we left this morning.”
“I already ate that,” Buck tries to hold back a whine. “But I had to stop at the gas station to fill up and grabbed something to supplement. You can’t ever have too much fuel!”
“Uh huh.” Bobby doesn’t look convinced. He extends a hand. “Give it.”
Buck debates chugging as much as he can. Bobby won’t be able to get to him that quickly. Still, that sounds like the ticket to getting him a timeout first thing in the morning. Not the best way to start a shift.
Reluctantly, he hands the can over to Bobby. His dad scans the side of the energy drink, shaking his head.
“Do you even recognize half of these ingredients?” Bobby asks.
Buck folds his arms over his chest. “No,” he mumbles.
“Does that seem smart to put in your body, then? Especially considering it’s caffeine and Littles aren’t allowed any?”
“That’s a dumb rule. I used to drink coffee and energy drinks all the time before I was classified.”
“That’s not a good thing, Buckaroo.” Bobby tosses the can into a nearby garbage can.
Buck pouts. “Hey! That wasn’t cheap!”
“Well, you should know better than to spend your money on that stuff. No coffee, no energy drinks. That’s nothing new.”
Buck decides now wouldn’t be the best time to point out he still drinks both, at least when he can get away with it. Not as often now that he lives with Bobby and Athena, but enough to get by on nights that he doesn’t get enough sleep, such as last night.
“Now, if you want real fuel, go top off your water bottle before we…”
Buck has never been happier for the alarm to go off. Suddenly, everything’s in action, and Bobby’s too busy to lecture him.
8 hours into their 24 hour shift and 3 calls later, Buck is starting to drag. Realistically, he knows he could take a nap. He’s supposed to when there’s downtime, even when he hasn’t regressed. Still, no one else is tired yet. They probably won’t try to lay down until closer to 8 or 9, if they get a chance. Buck isn’t about to look like the only baby.
The coffee machine is tempting but knowing his luck, either his dad will see or someone else will and sweep in. Instead, he heads for the fridge. Maybe he could get away with sneaking a soda. Not an ideal caffeine source, but it’ll wake him up at least a little.
There’s bottles of juice and water, along with a carton of milk. Buck pushes past all of those until his eyes land on a bright yellow and blue can with tiny sour patch kids sprinkled across it. He grins, picking it up. Usually, he just goes for a Monster, but he’s never seen these before. How harmful could it be if it has candy on it? Probably doesn’t have nearly as much caffeine as the others.
There’s a name on it that Buck doesn’t recognize. Probably someone on the other shift. There’s at least half a dozen cans left behind, surely they won’t miss one. Buck can replace it later on.
He cracks it open and takes a large swig. The drink is sweet enough that he can feel the cavities that’ll likely come from it. Still, he chugs the rest of it in record time, wiping his mouth to remove any of the evidence. He tosses the can in the garbage, wiggling his arms at the burst of energy he’s obtained from this.
Those stupid doctors don’t know what they’re talking about, he’s going to be just fine.
Bobby stretches, trying to hold back a yawn. Things had slowed down for a bit around 9:00 but around midnight, the alarm went off back to back. They were barely in the house until 6:00 in the morning. He’s in definite need of a nap, and if he’s dragging this hard, no doubt that Buck is too.
Speaking of which, he hasn’t seen his kid since they got back from their last call. Buck wasn’t exactly chatty with him throughout their shift, likely holding a grudge about the energy drink from the start of shift. Still, he kept up conversations with everyone else, and joked around with Hen and Eddie, ate dinner. Hopefully, he’s over the whole thing now and they can have a nap when they get back.
“Eddie!” Bobby calls out as he watches him walking toward the bathroom. “Have you seen Buck?”
“Last I checked, he was headed for the bunks, Cap.”
Bobby tilts his head. “He’s willingly laying down?”
“Yeah, I wondered about that too but he seemed really tired. And when Buck’s that sleepy…”
“Best not to poke the bear,” Bobby finishes with a nod. “Thanks. You go off now.”
Bobby heads over to the bunks, going straight for Buck’s. The covers are up, indicating he might be asleep. Bobby is about to leave him be. They only have a half hour left on shift and with any luck, they won’t get called out again.
That’s when he catches the smell.
He holds his breath as he approaches closer, but the notes of vomit mixed with oddly something sweet fill the air. Buck’s curled up in a ball, covered with the concoction, as are the sheets. His wide green eyes look up at Bobby, lips trembling.
“I…I no feel good, Daddy.”
Bobby sighs, giving him a sympathetic smile. “I can see that, Sunshine.” He bends down and gently helps Buck sit up. “You should’ve found me.”
“Didn’t wanna move. Tummy feel yucky…and legs…and arms…”
“Poor little Buckaroo,” Bobby soothes, rubbing his back. “Do you feel like you need to get sick again?”
Buck shakes his head, his sweaty curls moving a bit in the process. “Tummy feel yucky but no frow up, Daddy.”
“Alright, I’m going to pick you up then. Very slowly.” Bobby bends down and scoops up the little boy, not caring that some of the vomit ends up on him as well. “We’re both going to take a shower, Tigger.” It’s not his preferred method to get Buck clean when he’s dropped, but there’s no tub here and he can’t bring him home like this.
Bobby is about to strip the sheets as well when he notices something yellow poking out from under the pillow. Buck buried his head in his dad’s neck as Bobby fishes the empty can out, some droplets falling onto the soiled sheets. He frowns at the skateboarding ghost logo, surrounded by the tiny sour patch kids candies.
“Ghost? What is…”
He trials off as he makes out the funky font on the blue border, practically screaming: ENERGY .
Bobby clicks his tongue and looks down at his little boy. Buck’s sweaty forehead doesn’t move from his neck.
“Buck…Buck… Evan .”
Slowly, the little boy looks up, those same wide eyes on display, looking pale than before.
“It’s very important you’re honest with Daddy,” Bobby says, his voice growing firmer. “Did you drink this?” He maneuvers his son to show him the can. Buck gnaws on his lip. “I need an answer, little boy.”
“I…I…maybe,” Buck mumbles.
“Maybe,” Bobby repeats. “And if you maybe drank this, was it the only one?” Buck looks away. “Buck. I want an answer.”
“Hads one lasterday,” Buck mumbles. “Just one! But…super s’eepy and…needed one more.”
“You didn’t need any to begin with.” Bobby shakes his head as he makes out the name on the back of the can in black marker. “And this wasn’t even yours.”
“Yous no let me drink mine.”
“I said that for a reason, Buck.”
The little boy moans, holding onto his tummy. Bobby sighs. The smell is continuing to linger and he needs to resolve all of this before the next shift starts. The lecture can wait until they’re both clean.
“Let’s get your bag from my office and then we’ll get you in the shower.”
“No in twouble?”
“Oh no, this little Tigger is in a lot of trouble,” Bobby confirms, stripping off the sheets. “But we’ll discuss that later.”
Buck groans, dropping his head back against Bobby’s neck. His dad just pats his back as he heads to his office.
Buck’s curls are damp as Bobby settles him down onto the couch in his office. He’s showered, smelling of his dad’s bodywash as he hadn’t remembered to refill his own bag. Bobby got him in his diaper before putting on his favorite Tigger footie pajamas. The little boy curls up into himself, his fingers heading for his mouth. Bobby gently brushes them away, eliciting a small whine.
“We don’t suck our fingers, Buck,” Bobby says gently, retrieving his “Daddy’s Boy” pacifier and slipping it into his mouth instead. “Especially when we’re feeling yucky.” Buck sucks contently, holding his arms out for his daddy. Bobby can’t help but smile as he gathers him into his reach and settles on the couch. The little boy snuggles up, resting his head on his shoulder. “So, someone drank something they shouldn’t have.”
“N’vr ‘gain,” Buck slurs behind his pacifier.
“No, you won’t ever do that again,” Bobby agrees. “These drinks are not for little boys.”
“Wadn’t little when I’s dranked it,” Buck protests, moving his pacifier so he could be heard. Bobby holds back a sigh. Little Buck is perhaps an even better lawyer than Big Buck.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re regressed or not. You aren’t allowed caffeine, especially not these drinks.”
“Lookeded fun! Hads gummies on it.”
Bobby can’t hold back a sigh this time. He stares at the empty can on his desk. Bright colors, familiar confectionery, cool buzzwords about energy and brain activity. Sure, there’s tiny fine print that says it’s not for kids or Littles, but Bobby had to put on his glasses to read that part. What little wouldn’t be susceptible to that? Really, how are there not laws surrounding advertising when it comes to Littles and kids alike?
“I’m sure it did look fun,” Bobby agrees. “But, Daddy and Mama always tell you that you’re not supposed to have energy drinks. That’s a rule, Buck. Not a negotiable one either.” Buck’s lips fall into a pout, causing his pacifier to fall. Bobby is quick to swoop it up before it can fall on the floor. “You broke a rule yesterday, and today. That’s not okay. Not to mention, this wasn’t yours. You can’t take things that don’t belong to you.”
“Gonna gets new ones,” Buck whispers.
“You will replace them, and you’ll write a letter of apology when you’re big to the person they belong to. But that’s also at the bottom of my concerns. Do you see why Daddy and Mama told you not to drink these now?”
“Made tummy feel yuckies…and head too…” He rubs his temple.
“That’s no fun, is it?”
Buck shakes his head. “No, Daddy.” He sighs. “I so’wee.”
“I appreciate that, bubs. You’re still not out of the woods. You’re not driving anywhere for the next 2 weeks. I need to make sure you’re not buying anything that could harm your body. And whether you’re big or little, only your mama or I will be fixing your meals and drinks. That way we can tell just what you’re putting in you.”
Buck whines, kicking his covered feet a little. Bobby shakes his head.
“I don’t want to hear it, Buck. What you did was incredibly dangerous. You could’ve had a lot worse reaction than an upset tummy.” Buck pouts, batting his eyelashes. Bobby chuckles and presses a kiss to his birthmark. “Yes, you’re absolutely adorable, no one can deny that. You’re still an adorable little boy who’s in trouble.”
Buck sighs before holding open his mouth and making grabby hands for the pacifier. Bobby returns it to his mouth. Buck rubs his eyes with his fist.
“Let’s get you home, Sunshine,” Bobby says. “Your mama will be wondering what happened to us.”
“Tell her?”
“Yup, I’ve got to tell her. No secrets in our house, right?” Buck reluctantly nods. “But, we can hold off having a big talk until after you and I take our nap.”
Buck hooks his arms around Bobby’s neck. “In Mama and Daddy’s bed?”
“Sounds like a good plan to me.”