#8x05 spoilers

[bucknerdycore]

Them:

Buck:

[buckleylove]

eddie being there during this scene?? the tommy being weirded out vs eddie being supportive theory is looking more and more likely

[sunglassesmish]

i live here

[911bts]

8x05 Stills - Buck's loft

[madlori]

On rewatch, one of the things that struck me about Buck and Tommy's interactions in 8x05, apart from the often-mentioned implied comfort levels and caretaking, is that Buck is no longer in awe of Tommy.

When he first met him, he was this Cool Guy. A Cool Guy Buck wanted to get to know. At the harbor tour, at the basketball game, in the loft scene, on their first date - Buck's a bit starry-eyed. He's got a whiff of hero-worship and I'm-not-worthy about him, he's talking about Tommy's confidence and his cleft to his sister in giggly tones like he's got a big old crush, which he does.

It maybe starts to ease up a bit on the coffee date, where he's treating Tommy more like someone who could be a partner to him.

By the time we see them in 8x05, that transition's complete.

Buck's not in awe of this guy anymore. And that's a good thing. Not that he doesn't think Tommy's cool anymore, but...they're past that. Tommy's not this unreachable Hot Pilot Firefighter that Buck's swooning over. He's his boyfriend. His partner. His everyday, shows up for him, comfortable in his home, boyfriend. He's seen Tommy drool in his sleep, seen his morning hair, smelled him when he needs a shower. Tommy's seen him sweaty from a workout, splattered with the latest cooking mishap, tripping over his own feet.

Tommy's no longer a guy Buck's trying to be cool around, trying to be what he thinks Tommy wants, trying to say just the right thing. He doesn't have to be cautious anymore. He's being himself. He's pouting. He's rambling about curses. He's saying "Oh, so I am gross!" petulantly. He doesn't even seem self-conscious to have Tommy see him with boils all over his face (but he's grumpy not to be getting kissed).

He's not worried about impressing this guy anymore. He's past the point where he needs to be on his best behavior. It's done. Tommy's impressed. He's all in. They both are.

[autisticbucktommy]

i love how whiny buck was in this episode

- it’s not funny :(

- 5 more minutes :((

- oh, so i am gross? :(((

- i wasn’t picking :((((

- my own boyfriend won’t even kiss me :(((((

brat buck is alive and well

[fangirling-paradise]

i had to get rid of two 911 creators from my TikTok fyp bc they were posting SUPER negative vids about this week's episode. like it's not fun to hear people complain (not just reviewing, complain). shout-out to this creator!

[tommykinardsource]

big man, tiny fidget toy

[dimpleskinard]

Tommy Kinard | 9-1-1 -> 8x05

[bucknerdycore]

Buck just watch supernatural maybe you learn something!

[vanmarkus]

happy to report that there is zero respect in my gaze

[sunglassesmish]

7x04 / 7x10 / 8x05

[xofemeraldstars]

insp. by @hellion-child

[911bts]

oliverstarkk: Thanks for tuning in to our spooky Halloween episode of @/911onabc ! I really had great fun capturing these images on @/ilfordphoto’s #ilforddelta3200. And thank you to @/nicefilmclub for always doing such a great job with the development and scanning! 🎃🚨

[billyharris]

They get into the car and Buck immediately takes off his tie and tosses it to the back seat. He’s never been much of a suit guy. But it was a funeral, he had to dress up. And make Tommy dress up too. Same as him, Tommy is also not a suit guy. It’s hard to get those beefy arms into a tailored jacket.

Tommy starts the engine and turns to Buck with the most affectionate glint in his eyes. He stares at him for a few moments, just taking in his view. “What?” Buck asks, smirking. “Something on my face?”

Tommy rolls his eyes and starts driving. “You’re cute is all.”

“I am?” His cheeks flush and he ducks his head the way he always does when Tommy compliments him. “Even covered in boils?”

“Of course.” It’s their thing – ‘Of course.’ Before every shift, one texts ‘Be safe’ and the other responds ‘Of course.’ Buck wants to get it tattooed on himself. It’s way too early for permanent commitments, but he can’t shake the idea. “You’re always cute, Baby.”

“This mean you’re going to kiss me now?” He says pursing his lips, even though Tommy’s eyes are on the road.

“Don’t continue this slander, Evan.” He replies, deadpan as ever. The dry charm is so hot, damn. “I did a hell of a lot more than kiss you this morning.” True. Actually, now that Buck is thinking about it – a rim job is just one long, pleasurable kiss.

“On the face, Kinard.” Buck can deal with the itchiness and sore arm. What he can’t handle is going over twenty-four hours without feeling Tommy’s lips on his own. “Don’t you miss kissing my birthmark every other minute?”

Tommy looks over just in time to see Buck pout and shine his best ‘puppy dog’ eyes at him. He laughs and looks back at the road. “Brat.” He knows exactly how to push his boyfriend’s buttons. “I’ll make up all the missed kisses… once you’re better.”

“And not gross?” Yeah okay, so maybe he is a bit of a brat.

“Did I not call you cute five minutes ago?��

Buck crosses his arms over his chest and huffs. “Not cute enough to kiss apparently.”

***

They eventually get stuck in Traffic. Buck switches from his dress shoes to sneakers, not being able to handle another moment of uncomfortable torture. “Better?” How Tommy is driving with his on, Buck has no idea.

“Much.” There’s a bit of comfortable silence between them, just NPR playing too soft to make out in the background. “I-I want to thank you, babe.” Buck admits shyly, patting Tommy’s (thick) thigh. “For doing this. I know you think I’m dumb for believing in all this curse crap.” He bites the inside of his cheek, feeling a bit small. “I appreciate you going along with it anyway… driving me out to fucking Temecula of all places and indulging my – uh – my weirdness.”

Tommy’s lips flatten and he tsks, shaking his head. “First of all, baby. I don’t think you’re dumb. And you shouldn’t think that either.” He quickly looks over to Buck, making sure he’s taking his words in. And with the way he looks at him, how could Buck not? “This curse means something to you, so of course I was going to help.” Buck feels his chest tighten. This man. “Even spoke to Billy for you.”

“Yeah?” His eyes light up. “What did you say?”

“That’s between me and the dead man.” He places his hand on top of Buck’s on his leg. “He knows not to mess with my boy.”

His cheeks flush and he squirms a little in his seat as a burst of heat travels through him. “Yeah, Daddy – you gonna fight a ghost for me?”

“I’ll fight a thousand ghosts for you, Evan.” Something about the way he says it, in his usual stoic tone, but laced with so much admiration – makes Buck honestly believe him. Not that he’ll literally fight a ghost - although with this Billy situation, who’s to say that couldn’t happen? – but that Tommy will fight for him, for them. He will go to bat for him; time and time again showing up whether Buck needs him or not. He’s all in.

Is this what it feels like to find the one? Buck’s not sure. It didn’t feel like this with Abby or Taylor. He loved them – in different ways. But nothing close to this. Buck can’t imagine a life where Tommy isn’t beside him, indulging him in his antics and looking at him like he’s the sun, moon, and all the stars in between. It’s too early to say it, he knows it is. But, fuck, he really is in love. “Tommy –“ He says, his boyfriend quickly glancing from the road to him. “You matter so much to me.”

“You matter to me too, baby.” Tommy smiles, his eyes crinkling beautifully and so kissable. Maybe they can just pull over for a quickie? “Evan, know this. I will happily put on a suit and drive to Temecula whenever you ask. As long you keep being you.”

Sounds a hell of a lot like Tommy wants to say ‘I love you’ too. Just not now. Not while he’s covered in boils and driving. Because the second he says it, he has to know Buck will say it back and then drown him in kisses. The moment will come soon enough.

***

Buck eventually falls asleep against the window. With all the traffic, it takes them an hour longer than it should have to get back to LA. Tommy shakes him a little to wake him up, leaving a line of drool on the glass. He blinks a few times at the setting sun shining in his eyes, not recognizing the building they’re outside of. Tommy comes around the truck to open Buck’s door for him. Such a gentleman. “Where are we?”

He sighs affectionately. “A dermatologist, Evan.”

[bekkachaos]

"oh, so I am gross"

sounds like Buck has spent all morning asking Tommy if it's really that bad and Tommy has been reassuring him 'no dear it's not that bad you'll be fine I was just surprised by it you're still adorable' and Buck's finally stopped asking and then Tommy makes one throwaway comment about his cousin and BAM he's back to square one and has to reassure his needy neurotic (still totally adorable) boyfriend all over again