#I'm so over people getting pressed because Tommy calls him Evan

[averymcrgan]

"pEoPle wHo kNoW HiM caLL hIM BUCK."

yeah, well, there are three people in his life who have the privilege to call him Evan and Tommy is one of those three people so shut the fuck up already :)

[loulovingho]

Prompt: I've been thinking about a mixture of posts on here and I'd really love Tommy going to talk to Eddie because, maybe Eddie isn't being a great friend? I've read some people think Eddie would fall in line with Gerrard (due to being in the army etc.) and I'd love to see a Tommy/Eddie argument!

When Eddie got a knock on his door at 9pm on a Tuesday, he wasn't sure who to expect. He hadn't gotten a call or text from anyone, and he hadn't ordered any food. He figured he'd be arguing with Jehovah's Witnesses, asking them why the hell they were knocking on his door so late? Usually he'd avoid them altogether, but a little piece of him felt like arguing, so he swung the door open with a dramatic sigh.

He was surprised to see Tommy on the other side of the door, hand raised in a fist, ready to knock again.

“Oh. Hey, Tommy. I wasn't expecting you, was I?”

“Um, no. Can I come in for a sec?”

“Sure.” Eddie moved out of the way so Tommy could come inside, closing the door behind him. “Want a beer or something?”

“No, I really can't stay long. I'm heading to Evan's after this.”

Right. Buck. He should've known he'd be getting a visit from Tommy. Buck hadn't exactly left work, or Eddie, on good terms two days ago. Things had been tense for a few weeks now, actually. Everything had slowly been bubbling up until Buck finally burst under the pressure and was sent home early for insubordination. He'd actually been told not to return until he could learn proper chain of command, and if he couldn't learn within a week, he should start searching for a new career path.

“Is Buck the one who sent you?” Eddie asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

Tommy shook his head. “No. No one sent me.”

Eddie raised an eyebrow. “So you're not here to kick my ass?”

“Should I be?”

“I don't know,” Eddie answered honestly. “I don't know what you've been told.”

It was kind of a ridiculous sight right now, if you asked Eddie. Two grown men, friends for months now, standing awkwardly in his living room. Neither making any effort to sit or get more comfortable.

“Evan's been having a rough time with Gerrard,” Tommy started. “Sounds like he's Gerrard's main target.”

Eddie shrugged. “Gerrard likes to push buttons. Buck's buttons are easy to push.”

“Last week he asked Evan if he'd like a bra to go with the apron he wore while cooking.” Tommy tensed even as he spoke the words. “That doesn't just sound like pressing buttons to me.”

“He's a wannabe drill sergeant pissed about the fact he never made it through basic training. You do what he says, keep quiet, use your manners, and make him feel like he's the most important person in the room. That's how you get through a shift.” Eddie moved to sit on the couch, but Tommy remained standing. “You know how this works the same as I do,” he added.

“Yeah, I do,” Tommy agreed, although his voice was a bit more commanding now. “Probably better than you do, actually. Doesn't make it okay.”

Eddie sighed, rubbing his eyes. “Why are you here, Tommy? I'm tired.”

“To try and stop you from becoming me, you idiot. I've been where you are. I've sat beside Gerrard and watched him treat person after person like nothing but garbage. I kept quiet, I made him feel important, I followed behind him like I was his damn puppy dog. I called him sir, I did whatever he asked, I laughed along with his jokes. You know what that made me?”

Eddie was starting to get annoyed. “What?”

“Him. I was no better than him.”

Eddie's eyes darkened. He stood back up, taking a step toward Tommy. “Are you seriously comparing me to that piece of crap?”

“If the mustache fits.”

“You need to get out of my house now,” Eddie warned. He could feel his body filling with the same boiling rage that got him thrown in jail a few years ago. He didn't need that to happen again.

“You repeat to me what Gerrard told Evan two days ago and I'll go,” Tommy offered. “Tell me what Gerrard said that finally made him explode and I'll leave.”

“Or I can call the cops on you for trespassing,” Eddie replied, moving to the door and opening it.

Tommy made no effort to leave. “Go for it.”

They stared at each other for a moment, Eddie's chest rising and falling with each heavy breath. When Eddie realized Tommy was never going to back down, his shoulders slumped. “Come on, Man, just leave.”

Tommy doubled down. “Tell me what he said,” he demanded, speaking each work slowly and carefully.

“H- He... God, Tommy.” He looked away from him, unable to maintain eye contact as he recalled the event. “Buck fell while we were at a scene, bruised his tailbone. When we were sitting down to eat, Buck moved slow. He winced when he finally got seated... Gerrard saw and said th- that maybe if he... if he spent less time taking and more time giving he wouldn't have so much trouble.”

“But,” Tommy beckoned for him to continue.

Eddie took a deep breath. “But he should have expected Buck to be the woman.”

Tommy nodded. “There it is.”

“Listen, Tommy, I-”

“He could've really used someone sticking up for him. One person to step in and tell Gerrard he'd crossed a line. I get that Hen can't do anything right now. She can't risk not getting Mara back. And I know Howie can't do anything to lose Mara. But you could have said something, Eddie. You could have been there for him, but you weren't.”

And there was the anger again. “Why the hell is it on me?!” he exclaimed. “I've been going through my own crap, and it's not like you or Buck have really been around to help me out.”

“Oh, you cannot be serious right now.” Tommy's posture straightened, his body somehow becoming even wider and taller. It would have caused Eddie to pause and think about what was about to come out of his mouth if he wasn't so mad.

“Yeah, I am serious. I've needed people too, Tommy, but you guys have been too busy with each other to even notice.”

“You made the mess you're in right now, Eddie!” Tommy yelled. “You did that! You screwed up and it's on you to fix it! But Evan didn't do anything wrong. He sure as hell didn't deserve to be talked to like that, and now his job is on the line because you decided keeping the peace with a piece of scum like Gerrard was more important than speaking up for your supposed best friend. So, yeah, that's on you!” Tommy began to make his way to the door, ready to push past Eddie on his way, but Eddie wasn't finished.

“Hey!” He yelled, shoving Tommy back so he couldn't leave. “I've been trying to fix everything on my own! Trying to get my own life back! Hell, I just got to talk to my kid for the first time in over a month!”

“And who you think got Christopher to answer the damn phone?!”

It felt like all the air had suddenly been sucked out of Eddie's lungs. He stood there, his mouth hanging open as he tried to find the right words to speak. “I... Buck's been talking to Christopher?”

“Every day,” Tommy confirmed. “He calls or texts. Facetime's him every once in a while too. He's been telling Chris how you're doing, trying to get him to call you or text you. He even suggested writing you a letter.”

“I didn't know that.”

“He didn't really want you to. Christopher had promised him the next time you tried to call, he'd answer. Evan's been like a kid on Christmas Eve, excited for you to tell him how it went after you two talked.”

Eddie didn't know what to say. He wasn't angry anymore, just incredibly disappointed with himself.

“He's always had your back, Eddie,” Tommy said, making his way out the door. Eddie didn't stop him this time. “It'd be really nice if you had his.”

[30somethingautisticteacher]

The drunk woman was relentless, invading Tommy's personal space as he tried to step back. He kept flashing his ring, but either she hadn't noticed or simply didn't care. Tommy glanced at his watch, grateful Evan hadn't arrived yet to see this mess.

"I'm just a poor girl all alone and new to the city," she slurred, pressing closer. "Can you help me get home safely? You can drive me, and then you can come up and I can thank you properly." She traced a finger down his arm. "I'm sure your wife wouldn't mind."

'Okay, she just doesn't care,' Tommy thought, taking a step back.

"I'm sure the bartender would be happy to call a cab for you," he said firmly.

"But you're so big and strong. I would feel so protected," she pouted, swaying slightly.

"I'm flattered, but I'm sure you'll be plenty safe," Tommy said, maintaining his distance. "And my husband won't like you all over me."

"Husband?" the woman spat, her flirtatious demeanor instantly shifting. "Seriously, you're gay?" Her slurred voice dripped with disdain.

It was at that exact moment that Evan appeared.

"Oh, he's very, very gay," Evan said, draping his arms over Tommy's shoulders and pulling him in for a steamy kiss.

"Hi, baby," Tommy said when they broke apart, his earlier tension melting away at his husband's presence.

"You can go now," Evan said dismissively to the woman.

"You're the husband?" she scoffed, looking Evan up and down with obvious judgment. "What a waste."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Evan asked, his voice sharpening. Tommy could feel him tensing up beside him.

"Not worth it, sweetheart," Tommy said softly, squeezing Evan's hand. He knew that tone in his husband's voice - the one that meant someone had struck a nerve.

"No, I want to know," Evan insisted, his jaw set. The playful possessiveness from moments ago had been replaced by something harder, more defensive. "What exactly is being wasted here?"

"Your lifestyle," she sneered, waving her hand dismissively. "Two big, strong, handsome men shacking up together."

"Shacking up?" Evan said, his voice dangerously quiet. The woman had crossed a line, and Tommy knew his husband well enough to recognize when he was about to snap.

"We're not shacking up," Evan continued, holding up his left hand where his wedding ring caught the bar lights. "We're married. Legally married. I walked down an aisle, said vows, signed papers, and promised to love this man for the rest of my life. And you know what? It was the best decision I ever made."

Tommy's heart swelled, watching his husband defend their marriage.

"So no, it's not a waste. What would be a waste is if I pretended to be something I'm not just to make people like you comfortable. Now if you'll excuse us, I'd like to have a drink with my husband."

"You people," the girl said, shaking her head in disgust.

Tommy felt Evan stiffen next to him, ready for another round, but this time Tommy stepped forward. He'd let Evan handle it his way, now it was his turn.

"Ah, 'you people,'" Tommy said, his voice calm but firm. "Let me tell you about 'us people.' My husband and I are first responders. We put our lives on the line every single day for others - including people who think like you do. I spent years hiding who I was because of that kind of hatred, afraid to be myself. But then I finally accepted who I really was, and that opened my heart to the possibility of love. And I found it - real, earth-shattering, life-changing love."

He pulled Evan closer, feeling his husband relax against him. "So the only waste here would be letting people like you make us ashamed of something so beautiful."

Tommy turned away from the woman, effectively dismissing her. "Come on, baby."

The woman slunk away into the crowd, her previous bravado gone.

"You ok, babe?" Evan asked, turning to Tommy with concern.

"Are you kidding?" Tommy said, pulling him closer by his belt loops. "That was extremely sexy watching you tell her off like that. Look how far my little baby bi has come."

"Couldn't have done it without you," Evan said softly.

"You know, I'm actually more hungry than thirsty," Tommy said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"Oh, is that so?" Evan replied, a knowing smirk spreading across his face."Well, we should probably do something about that."

"Yeah, we probably better," Tommy said, pulling Evan in for a heated kiss.

When they broke apart, Evan was speechless. He shook his head. "But not here."

"Right, right, let's get out of here."

They stumbled out of the bar together, Tommy tugging Evan along by their joined hands. Their laughter mixed with the night air, any trace of anger long forgotten replaced by the joy of just being together.

[cosyvelvetorchid]

how about possesive!buck getting annoyed with people flirting with his man right in front of him?

Thanks for the prompt!

You can send prompts to my ask for me to wrote a little something. Bucktommy, saltommy or Tommy.

Thanks 🩶

******

Tommy held Bucks hand and led him through the bar. It was typically busy for a Friday night, although not too overcrowded. After getting their drinks from the bar they stood at a tall table at the back of the room waiting for Karen and Hen to arrive.

A tall dark haired man in his mid twenties knocked into Tommy accidentally, almost spilling his drink.

"Oh, gosh, I'm so sorry!" He exclaimed

"Don't worry about it." Tommy told him.

"You're gorgeous." He slurred. "Let me buy you a drink."

Buck felt a twinge in his stomach. It couldn't be jealousy because he had never felt that way when his previous girlfriends were hit on. In fact he actually felt kind of a little superior because he knew they'd be going home with him.

"Uh, thanks, man. But I'm taken." He placed a hand on top of Bucks.

"I don't mind. He's cute too." The drunken man winked at Buck, who then choked on his drink.

"We're good, thanks. But you have a good night." Tommy told him. He shrugged and stumbled away.

"That was.. brazen." Buck declared.

"He's right though - you are cute." Tommy kissed his cheek and his blushed.

Not 10 minutes later another man, this one shorter and barely even 21, with long tendrils of chest hair peeking out over the collar of his shirt, walked over and leaned on the table in front of Tommy.

"God those arms! I bet you can bench press me." He giggled. Buck shifted uncomfortably.

"Yeah he's pretty strong." Buck answered stepping closer to Tommy. He forced a smile at the man but it was clearly strained.

"What's you're name?" He asked Tommy completely ignoring Buck.

"Tommy. This is my boyfriend Evan." 4 months and Buck still got butterflies when Tommy called him that.

"Boyfriend?" The man questioned.

"Yes." Buck responded more firmly than he had intended. The man simply scoffed and walked away. Within the next 20 minutes 2 other men and one highly inebriated Bride-to-be tried hitting on Tommy.

Buck was frustrated. Partly at those people but mostly at himself. He was not usually the jealous type. And he understood why they tried it on with him - Tommy was beautiful. The most beautiful man Buck had ever met. Tall, muscular, with a cleft Buck would crawl into if he could. Of course other men - and women - would find him attractive. Objectively he knew that. And he trusted Tommy. He knew Tommy would turn them down. Yet still, Buck felt a sense of possessiveness over him that he'd never felt with any other partner. Tommy was his and he wanted the world to know it.

It was childish and ridiculous, he knew that. Yet that little ball of jealous fire was tumbling around in his stomach.

When the next man walked over to their table Buck lost his cool.

"Back off. He's with me." He said through gritted teeth, throwing an arm around Tommys shoulder to puctuate his point. The man's face turned to confusion.

"Good for you?" He said reaching out to collect their empty glasses. Embarrassment hit Buck like a punch in the face.

"Are you okay, Evan?" Tommy asked softly.

"Im fine." He responded a little too quickly.

"Evan." Tommy said, in that vocal truth serum of a tone that Buck found impossible to resist.

"I just.. I get why people hit on you, I mean hello!" His hands gestured up and down Tommy's body. Tommy huffed a laugh. "But.. I don't know, I just feel.. you're mine. And-and.. I don't want to share you. And I know that sounds ridiculous. It is ridiculous because I know that you would politely turn them down, and I know that you wouldn't do anything to-"

Buck whimpered as Tommy's lips crashed into his. He expected a quick chaste kiss considering they were in public. Instead Tommy's mouth opened wider and his tongue explored Bucks mouth chasing his tongue. A hand slid down Bucks back, grabbing his ass pulling him into Tommy's body. Bucks hand, seemingly with a mind of its own, moved to the back of Tommy's neck, gripping it hard. Tommy released Buck from his lips, leaving him breathless with a dazed look.

"It's hot as fuck seeing you all jealous." He said in a low voice.

"Im-im not jealous." Buck told him. It was an obvious lie and he knew Tommy knew that. It was game he knew Tommy liked to play.

"You're not?" Tommy moved closer again. He wasn't that much bigger than him yet Buck felt like he was crowded all at once. His hand slowly trailed up Bucks thigh. Buck swallowed.

"N-no."

"You sure about that?" Tommy questioned as he hand grazed the hard on that was making itself known in Bucks jeans. Buck breath caught in his throat. "Good boys tell the truth." He whispered in Bucks ear.

"Fuck. Ye-yes. I.. I was jealous." He admitted; his voice strained.

"Good boy. Now let's get out of here."

[peppermintquartz]

Who did the post about young and openly queer Eddie and S2 Buck competing to pick up guys? Drop your link in the replies, I can't find that post 😅

-

The tall, handsome man in a black shirt leaning against the bar chatting to the bartender catches both their eyes. That jawline is carved from marble, probably, and while he's broad in the shoulder, he's deliciously trim at the waist, and with his shirt opened to the navel, he's showing off a beautifully sculpted torso. And judging by the tightness of his jeans, those thighs would be a joy to have clamped around you.

Buck feels his mouth go dry when Tall Handsome Man tilts his head back to drink a shot , revealing the lines of his neck, and a earring dangles, catching the light. He cocks his head at Eddie Diaz beside him. "Ten says he gives me his number."

"Ten says I get it," Eddie replies.

They've both put on their best outfits for the venue, of course. Eddie has his hair tousled just so, and his sheer shirt glitters in the lights of the club. And when he showed up outside the club to meet Buck, his leather pants left very little to the imagination.

Buck thinks he's not too shabby himself. His curls are left just free enough to garner several interested glances as he passes, and his own ripped black jeans show off his long legs, the rips at the thighs and knees a teaser for his muscles (never skip leg day!) while a single tear under the right back pocket entices with each step he takes. His black mesh top doesn't glitter, but it does show off his chest and allows him to display his arms. More than three try to hold his hand as he and Eddie make their way towards the bar, not that Buck is really counting.

Eddie takes the left of Tall Handsome Man, and Buck takes the right, leaning against the bar and sidling close.

"Hi," Buck says. It's a solid opening, nothing sleazy or funny. Tall Handsome Man is as tall as he is, but close to, he's definitely broader in the shoulder. The earring - two loose chains with a crystal at the ends - dangles, like a lure. Buck wants to take the bait.

"Hey," says the man, his small smile welcoming whatever Buck is about to do, it seems.

Eddie interrupts. "Hey gorgeous. Any chance I could buy you a drink in exchange for giving you my name?"

Tall Handsome Man raises an eyebrow. Damn, is that eyeliner? Buck feels himself getting warm. "I wouldn't say no to you."

"I'm Evan," Buck says quickly, before his prize is stolen away by Eddie's big brown eyes. He smiles when the guy turns to look at him. "It's only polite to tell someone your name if they give it to you, isn't it?"

"It is," the man agrees. His eyes are crinkling up, like he's amused. "I'm-mm!"

Buck realizes he's put his hand over the guy's mouth only after he's done it. Apologetic but keeping his hand there, he says, "Tell me, not him."

"It's a freaking name, Buckley, chill," Eddie says, rolling his eyes.

Handsome Man laughs and his lips move under Buck's palm, like he's just kissed it. Buck feels the back of his neck grow warm, and it grows warmer when the man takes his wrist - holy fuck it's big and strong - and lowers Buck's hand.

Leaning forward to whisper in Buck's ear, he says, "I'm Tommy."

Buck feels a shiver from the top of his spine all the way down. He angles his head so his own lips can touch Tommy's cheek. "Evan Buckley."

"Yeah, I figured that out."

Eddie must have got the drinks, because Tommy is now turning to him and accepting a beer. They clink their drinks and Eddie says, "Edmundo Díaz, but friends call me Eddie."

Tommy smiles languidly. "Eddie it is then. I'm Tommy."

"Hey, you weren't supposed to tell him," Buck protests, taking the chance to press closer.

Tommy grins, the expression making him look younger. "Someone told me it's polite to tell people your name after they told you theirs."

Buck pouts. Tommy laughs and orders a drink for him.

While waiting on the bartender, Eddie reaches a finger out to flick Tommy's dangling earring. "So what do you do for fun, Tommy?"

"Get hit on by two of the most beautiful men I've ever seen," Tommy replies and takes a sip of his beer. "For tonight, at least."

"Oh, you're smooth," Buck marvels.

Eddie chuckles. "If we're not around?"

"I fly for fun. And I practice Muay Thai."

On hearing that, Buck's heart sinks. Eddie does Muay Thai. He watches with growing jealousy while Eddie and Tommy chat, and sips on the drink Tommy's ordered for him.

Then Tommy turns to Buck. "And what about you? What do you do for fun?"

"I, uh, I'm learning to cook," says Buck. And he is, sort of, if observing Cap and taking notes is actually learning. "I've picked up several skills but none of them are, like, hobbies."

"Oh?" Tommy for his part sounds interested. "What kind of skills?"

Is that a chance? Buck adjusts his position so that his arm is pressing against Tommy's. "Bartending, surfing, construction, horse-riding..."

"Am I speaking to a cowboy then?" Tommy asks.

"Well, if you want, I could show you how well I ride," Buck says boldly. It's a terrible line, but sometimes terrible lines delivered with full confidence can be charming. At least that's what some people have told him.

Eddie has large, beautiful eyes, so when he rolls them in disbelief, it's really obvious that he's doing so. "You might as well show up in chaps over a thong, Buckley."

"Shut up, Diaz," Buck retorts, his cheeks flaming, keeping his gaze on Tommy.

It's Tommy's turn to chuckle. "Okay, so are you two boyfriends doing some kinda roleplay or is this some weird competition?"

"We're not dating-" "He's not my boyfriend-"

Tommy holds up a hand. "Well, in that case I'm very flattered. You both are absolutely gorgeous men and, uh, I'm not sure what you're doing with me."

"Easy," says Eddie. He runs a finger along Tommy's forearm. "I wanna dance with you for a bit, get all hot and sweaty and comfortable with each other, get your number, and maybe we go to my place for the night."

"Please, you can't bring him to your home." Buck slides an arm around Tommy's waist and tugs. To his surprise, he ends up pulling himself closer to Tommy, not the other way round. "Your son is probably still up playing video games."

"You have a son?" Tommy asks.

Eddie glares at Buck. "Yes, and he's with his cousins tonight. So my house is empty."

It's Buck's turn to roll his eyes. "For tonight."

Tommy holds up both hands this time, now grinning. "Okay! It really does my ego good to be fought over, but uh, I'm not really looking to go home with either of you. Yet. It's only my second time out here, so, um." His demeanor turns a little shy. "If you guys wanna dance? I mean, I'm open to it, and if you decide after seeing my dancing that I'm not that big a catch, it's fine too."

Buck tightens his hold on Tommy's waist. "You are definitely a catch. Any chance I can snag your number now? So I can call without this guy trying to horn in."

"You're the one trying to upstage me," Eddie argues.

"Boys! Boys, relax. You'll both get my number. Then can we dance? I'm really not used to being the center of attention and, uh, there are lots of eyes this way." Tommy licks his lips, and Buck's gaze immediately locks onto the wet sheen of Tommy's lower lip. He glances away to find Eddie staring hungrily and shamelessly af Tommy's mouth.

Tommy takes a napkin, rips it in two and scribbles his number onto both with a pen borrowed from the bartender. Buck all but snatches it and sticks it into his pocket (it's a tight squeeze but he manages). Eddie folds it and tucks it into a back pocket.

Then Tommy saunters onto the dance floor, whirls around and offers both his hands. Eddie and Buck glare at each other, but they do take Tommy's hands and let themselves be led into a dance for all three of them.

(Next morning has them all wake up at Tommy's in a naked tangle of limbs, and Tommy declares himself the winner of their rivalry.)

[half-bakedboy]

Hi! I saw that you were asking for Tommy/Buck prompts! What do you think about: "You're allowed to be happy, y'know."? With Tommy continuing to be just as gentle with Buck as he was with that kiss! I'm still not over it 🩷

Tommy kisses Buck on a Thursday and takes him on their first date the following Saturday. They go on two more official dates before Tommy reminds him his sister's getting married in a few weeks. They're five dates into their... well, whatever they are, when Buck watches Tommy dance with his newly married sister.

There's something so gentle about the way Tommy holds Maddie's manicured fingers delicately in his own. He has what can only be described as a gentlemanly hand on her waist and he's almost letting her take the lead like he's making sure he doesn't scare her away.

Maddie doesn't get scared anymore, not like she used to, but the fact that Tommy can put that amount of care into someone just in case makes Buck's eyes water. Even though he tries not to show too much emotion in public, he doesn't put any effort into holding the tears back. His sister just got married! He's allowed to feel.

"Buck!" Chimney shouts. He's running toward Maddie and Tommy with a faux scowl that couldn't reach his eyes even if he tried. "Get your man before he woos her with his fancy helicopter license."

"Pilot's license," Buck says as he stands, wiping subtly at his eyes. A smile tugs at the corner of Tommy's lips because he knows that's his influence. Buck had called it a helicopter license approximately five times before Tommy finally taught him how it all worked. 

“There’s only one firefighter for me, Howie,” Maddie says dreamily. Buck can’t remember a time he’d ever heard her so wistful, not since she was a kid reading him fairytales when they were both supposed to be sleeping. 

“And there’s only one Buckley for me,” Tommy adds, winking at Maddie dramatically before placing her hand in Chimney’s, “but I always have a plan b. Isn’t that what you taught me, Han?” Chimney swats at him half-heartedly, his attention already back on his bride. 

Buck watches them for a few moments, reveling in the sheer joy that illuminates between them like no storm cloud in the world could cover the sunshine they feel. He's struck by a stray bolt of lightning--pun only partially intended--when he thinks about what she's gotten through to be here, but it settles into calmness when Tommy clears his throat from beside him.

Buck snaps from his thoughts and realizes he's been ignoring Tommy's outstretched hand. He clasps their hands together, fully intending to drag them back to their table, when Tommy clicks his tongue and pulls him close.

Then they're dancing underneath a backyard tent surrounded by their friends and family, and Buck thinks that he's never been as happy as he is right then.

There's guilt in the feeling, as there almost always is. There are people in need of saving, people who are hurt or scared or lonely, and here is Evan Buckley--happy. He can’t begin to comprehend why or even if he deserves that. He's made mistakes, he's lied to himself his entire life without intention, he never protected his sister or his team well enough, and now he's with a man who he really likes but isn't sure exactly what it means.

He doesn't deserve--

"You're allowed to be happy, y'know." 

Tommy says the words like he's reading Buck's mind.

"I am happy," Buck says instinctively. Tommy chuckles and nods.

"You are," he agrees, "but you need to stop feeling so much shame about it."

His large palm presses against the small of Buck's back, leading him into a slow sway. He dips his head the few centimeters between them and rests their foreheads together like he's trying to keep Buck's attention. Like Buck's attention could be anywhere else when he's being held like this, with such tenderness that he feels weak in his knees.

"You're going to find happiness that you don't need to feel guilty for one day, Evan."

It feels like a promise, and Buck only hopes that Tommy's the one to keep it.

[blazinghotfoggynights]

This fandom is turning into a madhouse!

Why? 😢

What is all the arguing about? Why are fans taking sides in multiple standoffs. How are these wars starting?

What I have to say may not be well-received by some sides in the numerous boxing matches active in this fandom right now, but I'm going to say my piece. 🤷‍♀️ I am not responsible for white-hot rage, tears, or epiphanies that you don't want. So, proceed at your own risk. Or whatever.

Buddie vs BuckTommy

BuckTommy fans, Buddie fans were not seeing things. Those characters were written as being pulled into each other's orbits and it was more than platonic. It wasn't blatant, and it has been hinted it couldn't be due to the network. Even now, with Eddie and Buck being in relationships, and Eddie somehow being in multiple, they are still using Buddie to promote the show. If they are not going to happen, then why the use that to get ratings? That is the definition of baiting.

Buddie fans, BuckTommy is canon. They may not last or they may be endgame. We won't know until it happens. Why lose your mind over fictional characters that one man controls? It's simple. If you feel they played the Buddie card only to put Eddie in a mess of epic proportions and make Buck become Evan Buckley-Kinard, tune out and keep fanfic alive. Do you know how many fandoms have followed that process? If Tommy was brought back just as a plot device, then it's not much better than baiting.

You know what would be hilarious? Buck meets a third person, falls in love, and marries them.

It would shut both sides down if it was a woman. (I may have a petty streak and if I were in charge, I could see making it Taylor or Abby.)😈🤣(Maybe then the warring factions could call a truce over tears and beers.)

Tommy Kinard was not a good guy. That's not delusion. That's canon.

BuckTommy fans, the character of Tommy Kinard has done multiple problematic things, and the writers are not addressing any of it. Telling people to get over it is not cool. Being closeted or confused is no excuse for calling Chimney the delivery guy and Hen the b-word. He was actively and willingly participating is some of the worst forms of bullying someone can experience. He wasn't a teenager who was just trying to fit in. He was a grown man. No excuses for his behavior are acceptable and, in the real world, you would be hard-pressed to find his victims forgiving him. They would not be his friends.

I can see why women, especially black women and LGBTQ women, and non-white men, especially Asian men, would say they don't like how his past transgressions are being ignored. He was openly racist and misogynist. That is canon. Nothing was misunderstood or misinterpreted. Tommy was a d*ck.

If you watch how Lou is portraying Tommy, there are indications that what we saw in season 2 is a part of his personality. The lack of discussion about his past could be intentional because it may come up in the future.

How has no one noticed how he speaks to Buck sometimes? Maybe I am just older than most in the fandom and have experienced a lot more, but there are things about Tommy Kinard's behavior that don't seem very...nice. The way he speaks to Buck sometimes is like he is dismissing what he thinks or feels. Sometimes he seems to be speaking to Buck as if he is a child. I was offended on Buck's behalf.

The biggest CAUTION sign so far was when he admitted he is jealous of the 118. What? That doesn't even make sense! Think about it. Tommy went out of his way to make the 118 hostile toward anyone who wasn't a het white male. When Bobby took over and changed the culture, he brought respect and openness which cultivated the friendship, and eventual love, that created the family the 118 is now. Tommy could have easily come out to the team under Bobby, apologized, and began building the bridges he burned. But he did not.

Tommy chose his side but now he is jealous of the work Bobby put in to clean up Gerrard's mess? Could it be something else giving his jealousy life? Could Tommy be resentful that the exclusive, prejudice environment he happily embraced, and helped keep in place, under Gerrard disappeared and because an inclusive tight-knit family created from the outcasts?

That is a very real possibility and if that is the case, it says a lot about Tommy Kinard and could lead to an interesting arc in the remainder of season 7 and season 8.

Eddie Diaz is not a bad guy.

I think Eddie has been teetering on the edge for many seasons. TBH, I am surprised he has been as stable as he has for this long. That man is walking meatsuit full of trauma.

People who are mentally stable and have healthy coping skills do not join underground fighting rings, smash their bedrooms, or ask relative strangers to watch his child and move in. There have been many indications for multiple seasons that Eddie is not in a good place but keeping it together for the sake of his son.

I do not think Eddie is trying to hurt anyone at all. I think he is trying to claw his way out of some hell his mind has had him in for a long time.

That man needs to be taken to the nearest inpatient facility and admitted. (If you are thinking of making a negative comment stigmatizing mental health awareness or treatment, reconsider, choose not to, and move along. Mental health is just as important as physical.)

Eddie Diaz is in no condition to be in a relationship with anyone except a therapist right now.

Whether you want Buddie, Eddie/Marisol, or Eddie/Wife's Ghost, if you want to see anyone with this guy right now, I have to ask you if you are feeling okay.

Remember how Eddie's parents didn't want him dragging Christopher down with him? Right now, it looks like Eddie's carefully, barely held together existence is going to go boom. Anyone in the blast radius is in danger. The only dates Edmundo Diaz should be having is at least three times weekly and begin with a mental health professional asking him if he has something he wants to talk about.

Evan "Buck" Buckley is a grown ass man. Stop infantalizing him! They even do it on the show.

I can't be the only one who sometimes forgets that thick mountain of a man is not a young twenty-something just wandering out into the world.

He's in his thirties. He's been in therapy. He's grown. He has to do what all of us adults do: Make decisions, wait to find out what happens, and deal with the consequences.

Say it with me: Buck is not a baby.

No one who has any real knowledge is going to tell fandom what the future holds for the show.

Who doesn't get that?

There are unhinged fans on every side of every current fight.

If you are attacking actors, writers, producers, networks, or anyone else, I have to wonder if you should be in a room next to Eddie after someone who loves him takes him where he should go.

That type of behavior used to get you a room with soft walls and a free jacket that left you in a permahug.

You can make anything you want happen with the characters.

It's call fanfiction and AO3 is wonderful. If there is a great story that hasn't been told, get on Word, Docs, Libre, or whatever you have and start making it a reality!

Authors have major support and respect from the fans.

If writing isn't your thing, but you are great at prompts and don't mind authors taking your prompts and creating stories, find a way to share them!

There are positive ways to channel your eyerolls, frustration, anger, or whatever. Draw fanart. Write fic. Write ideas and throw them at those who draw fanart and write fanfic.

To the whole fandom: CHILL! PLEASE!

I don't want to watch another fandom I enjoy implode. I don't want to see other fandoms assume everyone in this fandom is in need of the soft room and permahug fashion I mentioned earlier.

Been there, done that.

At the end of the day, everyone needs to remember:

It's not real.

[peppermintquartz]

Tommy feels like he should be annoyed, but frankly he's just amused and kinda charmed, almost, that the young guy who climbed into the crowded bus not only manages to fall asleep despite the raucous chatter of two old women three seats up, but also the fact that he's fallen asleep on Tommy's shoulder.

At least there isn't drool.

The guy is adorable, too, tall and leggy with light brown? auburn? hair, thumbprint-sized birthmarks over his left eye and eyebrow, and eyes nearly as blue as the jewel blue hoodie he wore. The guy ducked his head and smiled at Tommy when he sat down, though his blue eyes were red-rimmed with fatigue and his movements a little clumsy as he settled in.

And in five minutes he was out like a light.

The thing is.

The thing is, Tommy's about four stops away from where he alights, and Adorable Stranger is still napping away with his head on Tommy's left shoulder.

Tommy shrugs that shoulder, thinking that maybe that will wake the dude.

Adorable Stranger only makes a snuffling sound before leaning even harder on Tommy.

Biting his upper lip to keep from an unseemly chortle, Tommy tries murmuring, "Hey, man, you know when you're supposed to alight?"

"Mmyep."

That is a promising sign, but out of the blue, the guy literally turns and buries his face into the shoulder of Tommy's jacket.

Tommy's heart jumps into his throat, and he can't help the goofy smile that materializes on his face. With a sigh, he resigns himself to missing his stop.

It's fine. He likes the company he's keeping right now.

--

Buck blinks. Then he jerks upright.

"Oh shit," he blurts, feeling heat erupt over his cheeks. He's been sleeping on someone's shoulder, and there's a tiny imprint of Buck's drool on the fabric. "Dude, I'm so sorry."

"Don't be," says the very handsome man who has been acting as Buck's pillow. His sea-blue eyes are framed by crow's feet as he smiles, and Buck feels his pulse skip. "I figured you needed a nap, given how hard it was to wake you."

"I'm sorry," Buck repeats, and presses the bell. He's past his stop - this is three stops away from his place - and he hopes the other guy hasn't missed his stop. At least he doesn't look irritated or angry, and the lines that bracket his lips when he smiles add an air off mystique and old-world charm. And wow. Cleft. Cheekbones that can cut marble, a square jaw and a cleft.

Buck mentally shakes himself for staring. He grabs his belongings and heads for the door. Once the bus stops, he hustles out of the vehicle.

The older guy he used as a pillow alights too.

Buck blinks in surprise. "Uh, so you get off here?"

"Oh, no. I'm about five stops past my actual stop," says the Handsome Dude with the Cleft and the Cheekbones. HDCC. "I was waiting to see when you'd wake up. You stay around here then?"

"Nope. Three stops back."

HDCC grins, the top of his nose scrunching up in a cute way, and Buck thinks, I want to make him smile just like that.

That's a thought Buck has never really had about a guy he just met.

"Well, I suppose we should cross the road and take the bus going the other way." He extends a hand, and then thinks it looks silly, but it will be rude to withdraw his hand. He swallows and introduces himself. "Evan Buckley. I don't usually fall asleep on people. On buses. I mean, because, uh, I-I usually drive my Jeep. It was my sister's Jeep but she gave it to me, a-and it's kinda old, so it's in the shop, which is why I took the, um, the bus."

The amusement in HDCC's face is impossible to hide. HDCC takes Buck's hand - and wow, big hand - and shakes it firmly, pumping it once, twice, sold to the handsome gentleman in the khaki colored jacket!

"Thomas Kinard. Call me Tommy." He crinkles a big smile at Buck. "I'm gonna call an Uber. The bus isn't all that reliable at this hour, and my cats are probably staging a mutiny if I don't get home soon."

"Oh, sorry. And thanks for, you know, letting me sleep. And sorry about. Um. The cats."

Tommy winks. "We're all good, Evan. I definitely didn't mind."

"Maybe we'll see each other again?" Buck isn't sure why he sounds hopeful, but he does, and he certainly doesn't dislike the way Evan sounds coming from Tommy, even if he has the perfect way to introduce his own nickname.

"Maybe." Tommy takes a couple of steps back to answer his phone, nodding at Buck, still smiling. "I'm up for being your pillow anytime, Evan."

Buck thinks he himself is not that bad a flirt, but hearing Tommy say those words makes Buck's knees go a little weak. He gulps and waves, darting across the road and hoping that his face isn't too red from thinking about Tommy's parting message.

au meetcute: exhausted buck falls asleep on a stranger's shoulder on public transport and that stranger is tommy who either can't bear to wake this adorable man or tried and failed and so puts up with it and by the time he wakes up tommy is actually kinda smitten

[peppermintquartz]

Tommy comes to because of the annoying beeping next to his head, or more probably because he's in a hospital and hooked up to various fluids and machines.

It's weird. Humans really are bags of fluids wrapped up by muscles attached to bones. It's gross thinking of people like that.

He blinks at the shadowy figure slouched over asleep on his right side. Short dark hair. Familiar tattoo. Before he can recall a name, Tommy falls asleep again.

--

The next time he remembers waking up, it's Athena Grant and Bobby Nash on either side of the bed.

"...cap?" Tommy mumbles. Tries to mumble. He nearly chokes instead. It hurts to breathe and he can't swallow.

"You're intubated, don't move, try to relax." Bobby places a firm hand on his shoulder while Athena jogs to the door, calling for a nurse. Bobby squeezes lightly. "I'm gonna press the button for the sedatives, Tommy. When you wake up, the tube won't be there."

He doesn't wait for Tommy to acknowledge the action. Something floods Tommy's system and he fades once more.

--

It's still Bobby by the side of the bed, this time solo, a rosary in hand. Tommy swallows, relieved that he can do so.

"Cap," he croaks.

Bobby sets down the rosary and takes a cup, fishes out an ice chip with a teaspoon. It's the best thing Tommy ever had in his mouth.

Bobby gives him two more, saying nothing. Until Tommy seems more alert, Bobby only watches him with a strange sadness.

"Bobby. Where's... Where's Evan?" Tommy asks. Every syllable is a strain.

"I'll get Athena to talk to you," says the older man and leaves.

Athena Grant must've been waiting outside, because she walks in about five seconds after her husband exits.

"Tommy."

"Athena."

"I know you're tired," she says, "and I don't know how much you remember, but I'm gonna need you to tell me what happened to you."

She sits next to him in Bobby's chair and takes his hand. He tries to squeeze her fingers, but he can barely move his digits. Everything feels heavy and slow.

"Where's Evan?" he asks.

Her face is impassive. "We don't know. He called it in, said you'd been stabbed and there's massive blood loss. We got to the scene and he wasn't there. Now, I have known Buck longer than you, and I know he would never have abandoned you with you that grievously hurt." Taking a deep breath, she continues, "We've been looking for him for three days. All we have is his Jeep, abandoned by the roadside. Tommy, we need information."

Tommy fights his fatigue. He can feel, like a distant drumming, the thrum of his healing wound. "We were... Haunted house tour. Not many people. We got... turned around." He racks his brain. "Ended up. Strange room. Trapdoor under carpet. Fell down a, a tunnel? Something. Strange room, with many doors. To more empty rooms," he repeats. "Some doors. Locked by themselves... behind us. Evan... He was. Separated from me. For... I don't remember. Short while."

"Ten minutes? Half an hour?"

"Twenty minutes, maybe. No signal." Tommy wonders if his phone is anywhere near him. "He came back looking. Looking frightened."

"You said there were no exits."

"None. He came back." Tommy doesn't want to share this next part, but if it helps the police find and rescue Evan, he will have to. "I was relieved, went to hug him."

Athena purses her lips. "And then?"

"He stabbed me. A knife. Big knife." Tommy swallows. "He didn't... He didn't want to, I know he didn't. He was... He was crying, and he said sorry. And he. He said, something. To somebody. Who wasn't in the room. He threatened them." Tommy has to fight his nausea at the memory. "He was serious. He was... Athena, you have to. You have to find him. He was forced. I know he was forced. He was. He was crying. His shirt." Tommy licks his dry lips. "My blood on his hands, his shirt. He was... He was so upset."

"Well, he managed to avoid stabbing you where it would be fatal," Athena says gravely. "He stabbed you?"

"Yes. Not that he wanted to."

"Did you see or hear anything that indicated there was a third party?"

"No. But he wouldn't have hurt me. Unless. He wouldn't."

Athena nods. "Go back to sleep, Tommy."

When the blade slides in, Tommy freezes from shock. He stares at Evan, utterly confused.

Evan stares back, eyes red-rimmed and tearful. His lips quiver like he's about to say something, but nothing comes.

So Tommy says, "Don't cry, it's okay." When it isn't okay, it really isn't, the man he loves has just stabbed him with a knife. But Evan is upset, and Tommy does not want Evan to be upset, ever.

"I'm sorry," Evan manages.

Tommy's hand reaches up to cradle Evan's soft cheek. "It's okay. It's okay, I love you."

And that's when the pain hits him. It blindsides him, the agony overwhelming, and he crumples to the floor.

The knife that was in the side of his torso is in Evan's hand. The blood on the blade is Tommy's.

His blood looks a lot brighter than he expects it to look on the metal, but it's dark where it's spreading on his shirt. He can't tear his eyes away from the crimson of the stain soaking into his white shirt. When he forces himself to look up, he sees blood on Evan's shirt too.

"You have blood on your clothes," he tells Evan.

Evan looks at himself, at the knife in his hand, and then steps away. "I'm sorry."

Tommy's vision is going woozy. "Do you love me?"

"Yes," Evan replies. He sounds wrecked. "Oh god, I'm so sorry. I love you, I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Tommy repeats, but he doesn't seem to have a lot of energy now. The stab wound is deep. He sinks a little further, the darkness growing.

"Tommy, Tommy." Evan is crying. He's kneeling now and he touches Tommy's cheek, his wound. Tommy wants to wipe away the tears. *I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"'s okay. Love... Love you.*

Evan whips around. "You better pray I don't find you," he chokes out at someone invisible to Tommy. He takes in a shaky breath. "Because when I do, nothing will stop me from ending your sorry life."