#evan buckley deserves better

[junkiefox]

Abby fucked Buck so fucking much when she left and it makes me so angry bc she could have broken up with him, but no, she decided to ghost him and stopped caring

She wasn't wrong by leaving, but at least she should have the courage to break up with him by a call, idk. It was just cruel

[theotherbuckley]

I am free

[firewasabeast]

The Dinner

This is going to end up being a 4 part series on Meeting the Parents, where each part can be read individually. You can read on ao3, or continue below.

It was a few months after the wedding before Margaret and Phillip could get back to Los Angeles for another visit. They arrived two days before Halloween, wanting to go around the neighborhood trick or treating with Jee. It was the first year she'd really understand the holiday, and they were excited to experience it with her.

On their first night in town, Tommy and Buck were coming over for dinner.

While Tommy had briefly met them at the wedding, it wasn't more than a handshake and a hello before Jee was pulling her grandparents in one direction, and Evan was pulling him in another.

And now Buck was playing with Jee in the living room while Tommy helped plate the rolls.

“How do you feel about officially meeting the Buckley parents, Thomas?” Chimney asked, leaning against the counter.

“I was fine until Evan woke me up with a powerpoint presentation on what to and not to do.”

Maddie, who was fiddling at the table, looked over at Buck. “He's joking, right?”

Buck shook his head. “You can never be too prepared.”

Maddie rolled her eyes before turning to Tommy, a smile on her face. “Don't worry about it, Tommy. They've mellowed a lot over the past few years. Not perfect, obviously, but better.”

“Is that why you've reset the table five times?” Chimney asked, grabbing a bottle of wine from the fridge.

“Hush.” She tilted her head, staring at the centerpiece before moving it slightly to the left. “Seriously, Tommy. You'll be fine.”

There was a knock, and Jee squealed as she jumped up and ran to the door.

Everyone trailed after her, Tommy moving to Buck's side.

After a prolonged hello to Jee, they greeted Maddie and Howie before moving on to Buck.

“Hi Mom, Dad,” he said, a hug for his mom and handshake for his dad. “You remember-”

“Thomas,” Tommy interrupted, holding out his hand to Margaret first. “Nice to see you again, Mr. and Mrs. Buckley.”

Buck but at his lip, trying to prevent himself from bursting into laughter. It was so interesting seeing Tommy like this. He was usually so calm, cool, and collected. His nerves very rarely appeared, so it was like a special treat when they did.

“Oh, come here,” Margaret said, bypassing his hand and wrapping him in a hug.

Tommy returned it, looking at Chimney with wide eyes.

Chimney himself looked surprised too, which felt like a good sign.

Once Margaret was finished, Phillip shook Tommy's hand. “Good to see you too, Thomas.”

They settled in and Tommy took what felt like the first breath since this morning. Maddie grinned at him with two thumbs up, which made him feel even more relaxed.

He'd never been so anxious to meet the parents of someone he was with before. Honestly, he'd only done it a couple of times. Once in high school, when he met the parents of the girl he took to prom. She ended up ditching him for her friends about halfway through the dance, so he never had to see them again.

Then there was Joey's parents. A guy he'd dated on and off after he first came out. They were... not a good match, but he just so happened to be at Joey's house when his mom showed up out of the blue. One awkward brunch later, he and Joey broke up for good a few minutes after she walked out the door.

Maybe that's why he was so nervous. The two times he'd met someone's parents, it ended in a breakup.

He couldn't think like that right now though.

Everything would be fine. He could do this.

*****

Dinner went surprisingly smooth. Most of the attention had been on Jee during dinner, but she got bored before dessert and headed into her bedroom to play.

That's when the questions started coming in.

“So, Thomas, Ev- Buck mentioned you also work for the fire department,” Margaret began, “but at a different station?”

Tommy nodded. “Yes, Ma'am. I'm a pilot at Harbor Station. It's about twenty minutes from the 118... or an hour with the traffic,” he added, getting a laugh from both Buckley parents.

“Dangerous job,” Phillip noted. “Rewarding though, I'm sure.”

“Oh, yes, Sir. Very rewarding.”

“So, you and Buck don't ever really get to see each other at work?” Margaret asked.

“Sometimes. I work ground ops every once in a while and we'll see each other. But when I am in the air, Evan likes to take pictures and send them to me,” he added, smiling over at Buck.

Margaret and Phillip shared a glance. Even out of the corner of Buck's eye, he could see his parents looking at one another. He knew they were silently discussing the fact that Tommy gets away with calling him by his given name. Something he'd steadfastly reminded them not to do.

He waited, heartbeat rising, for them to bring it up.

Instead, Margaret smiled. “So, how'd you two meet?”

"He flew us through a hurricane to rescue Cap and Athena."

"Buck." Maddie eyed him, a silent why would you say that?

He knew how protective his parents were. How they hated to think of him in danger. How saying something like that could cause tension between all of them, especially with Tommy.

Buck simply shrugged. "It's true."

"It's alright," Margaret reassured them. "Phillip and I are learning to come to terms with the fact that the job Buck has is a dangerous one. But life's a risk, right? We- We know you're taking every precaution to be safe."

Tommy reached out and rested his hand on Buck's thigh. "Yes," he agreed. "And technically we didn't fly through the hurricane, we flew through the outskirts of a hurricane."

"And Tommy's overly qualified," Chimney chimed in, for good measure. "That's why I asked him to take us. It's also why I claim to be matchmaker."

"Well, seeing as you're all in one piece," Phillip said, folding his hands on the table. "Why don't you tell us more about this helicopter-matchmaking adventure?"

The conversation continued for a while. It wasn't all focused on Tommy, thankfully. They went around the table swapping stories and sharing anecdotes. They never even batted an eye when Tommy moved his hand to Evan's back, rubbing softly. He did it almost unconsciously, nearly freezing up when he realized it. He had been told that the Buckley's weren't homophobic. But it was one thing to not care with other people, and another to not care with your own kid. However, their reaction, or lack thereof, was the final confirmation that Tommy needed to know everything was okay and they truly didn't mind.

*****

When it was time for Jee to head to bed, she demanded Uncle Tommy fly her to the room like a “helichopter” so, of course, he did. Then she demanded her mommy, daddy, and Uncle Buck read her a story together, so Tommy headed back out to the living room with the Buckley's to sit and chat.

“She calls you Uncle Tommy,” Margaret said, nearly beaming.

Tommy smiled. “Yeah, that started a couple months ago. I think she knows it's a surefire way to get me to say yes to whatever she asks. Evan jokes me about it all the time.”

“Okay, I have to ask-”

“Margaret,” Phillip warned.

She waved him off. “I'm just asking.” She leaned in close, almost like she was about to reveal some deep, dark secret.

Tommy sure hoped that wasn't it. He'd heard all about their last deep, dark secret.

“He lets you call him Evan. How'd you manage that?”

Tommy fought to hide his grin. “That's how he introduced himself when we met,” he explained. “Once I realized no one else ever called him that, I tried calling him Buck, but he gave me a funny look and told me to stick with Evan.”

Tommy knew Evan didn't hate his name. Knew others called him by it sometimes. He also knew that his parents calling him Buck was important to him. A way to show they were finally listening to what he wanted, and they were respecting him.

Tommy almost expected this to be where the trouble came in. Maybe this is where the Buckley's stuck up their nose and asked what made him so special? Evan had warned him about it during the presentation that morning.

They didn't do that though. Instead they looked... happy? Excited even.

“You a basketball fan?” Phillip asked, opting for a change of subject.

“Yes, Sir. Love it.”

“Professional or college?”

“I prefer professional, but I watch both.”

“I've been wanting to go to a game for years, but it's a little boring to go alone. We're coming back in a couple months for another visit. You and I should find a game.”

“I'd love that.” Tommy couldn't seem to agree fast enough. The fact that his boyfriend's dad actually wanted to hang out and spend time with him made him feel like he was in a dream world. “I think the Lakers usually play in Vegas that time of year. I could fly us out for a game,” he offered with a shrug. “I go there pretty regularly.”

“Uh oh,” Margaret joked. “Wrong thing to say. He'll be taking you up on those offers all the time.”

“That's fine with me,” Tommy assured her. “I love to fly. Evan and I go on little trips every time we have a few days off together. He's always finding new places for us to go within a couple hours of here.”

“Tell you what,” Phillip said, tipping his beer toward Tommy, “you fly us there, the tickets are on me.”

“Oh, you don't-”

“No, no. I insist.”

“Just nod and say okay,” Margaret faux-whispered.

Tommy laughed, but nodded. “Okay. Sounds good.”

“Good. Now, if you'll excuse me,” Phillip said, setting his beer on the coffee table before he went to stand. “I need to use the restroom. Be right back.”

Once Phillip had rounded the corner to head down the hall, Margaret scooted closer to Tommy, a smile playing on her face. “You don't go by Thomas, do you?”

Tommy let out a breathy laugh. “No, Ma'am. No, I don't.”

She nodded. “I figured. Tommy, then, right?”

“Yes, Ma'am. Thomas is fine though, if you prefer it.”

She reached over and patted him on the arm. “No, Tommy is what you go by, Tommy is what you'll be called. And please, call me Margaret, and my husband Phillip. No need for formalities.”

“Yes, Ma'- Margaret.”

“You're a good man, Tommy,” she said, her face serious but sincere. “You're good for Buck.”

Tommy could feel his heart swell. “I'd argue he's good for me.”

“You're good for each other,” she compromised. “I've never seen him so happy, so settled. He may think I don't know him, and maybe I don't as well as I should, but I know that.” A happy blush rose on her cheeks. “I have a funny feeling you'll be calling us Mom and Dad sometime soon.”

Tommy felt overwhelmed. He'd never expected her to say anything like that, but he loved the sound of it. He was right near having to blink back tears as Buck walked out into the living room. “Jee caught Dad on his way out from the bathroom,” he said to his mom. “She's asking for you now.”

“Off I go,” Margaret said with a giggle, giving Tommy another pat before she got up and left.

Buck sat down beside Tommy, tilting his head when he saw the dazed expression on his face.

“You okay?” he asked, wrapping Tommy's arm up in his.

Tommy smiled at him, then leaned over and gave him a kiss.

“Mm,” Buck moaned in surprise, the kiss ending with a pop. “What was that for?”

“I just... I've had a really good night. And I love you.”

Buck snuggled closer to him, laying his head on his shoulder. “I love you too.”

As he rested there, Buck went over the night in his head. There had been no awkward moments. No moments where Buck felt embarrassed or upset.

Tommy never had to defend him or himself.

They had even managed to be alone with Tommy for an extended period and Tommy seemed... happy about it?

His parents actually got along with Tommy really well.

Buck was glad.

He was glad his parents liked Tommy.

There was no problem.

He wasn't jealous at all.

Honest.

[whollyjoly]

i just have a feeling / you're better off than you think you are

(song insp.)

[emolionsrawr]

buck: meradith grey can do better than mcdreamy

tommy: what do you mean babe?

buck: well, he didn't tell her he was married, he didn't chose her, when he broke up with his wife he got with a different woman even though he was in love with mer, she deserved better

guy with a stab wound: he's right she did deserve better

chimney: sir please don't talk i'm trying to save your life right now

tommy: maybe we should talk about this later babe?

guy with a stab wound: please don't it's distracting me from the pain

buck: okay, oh my god and IZZIE?! i hated her! god what is her deal she spends ages angry with alex, gets with denny then cuts his LVAD wire, then marries alex and runs off, then years later gets in contact and ruins alex's relationship with jo?! what a bitch!

tommy: agreed

[eddiediazswife]

Nah fuck the Diaz and Buckley parents they suck.

Thank God Buck and Eddie are better parents than both of them.

[willmiwi]

Buck somehow finding out and confronting Tommy about never being his first choice at all and actually wanting eddie at first but taking buck after eddie was u kno. too oblivious to take a hint, and tommy being like "yeah i mean, i settled thats true whatever, but you did too. Come on now ... u weren't really jealous of eddie for getting my attention. It was eddies attention u wanted in the first place so u settled too bc you were too afraid to lose him, and i get it i mean, hes your best friend".

[ranbling]

I hate the narrative that Tommy is patient with Buck during the date? Like when is he? When he preaches about knowing what its like to be in the closet on a macho workplace and then almost outing Buck and leaving him on the curb??? While putting the blame on him??? Tommy knew all too well it was Buck's first date with a dude and he isn't out to anyone, but he still acted like it was Buck's fault somehow that he did not came out on the spot?

[clipboard-buckley118]

She laid the groundwork for buddie years ago

[fanficmanic]

I gather from all the stills and gifs going around that Mara is back home with Hen, Karen, and Denny. Yay Wilsons! You deserve happiness (I'm choosing to ignore the promo for next week's episode for now).

But... Can we take a moment to think about Eddie and how he's feeling? He's smiling and cheering in the courthouse, but he must be dying inside, knowing that HIS house is still empty and Christopher is still refusing to talk to him.

Still haven't watched the episode yet, but this has been eating at me.

Evidence to prove my point ����👇

I want to hug him so bad 😞😞

[rowsandrowsofnothing]

It really be your own people that make you realize you’re a Taylor Kelly defender

[makorragal-312]

Somebody please check on Oliver after that clip because I know that man is banging his head against the wall as his dogs look on, concerned as hell.

[canonicallyobserving911]

Eddie journals his thoughts: Entry #125 - Parental Conversations and Confrontations

Fanonwriter2023 on AO3

Where CANON and FANON collide!

Part 2 is now available on AO3

New Buddie Fanfic - It's been more than two months and I'm still pissed about that BS "Vertigo" storyline because I hated it and I wish TM would have written something better for Eddie. There were several options but he just chose to use some wacky foolery because he likes it instead of considering the audience's response to it.

Eddie journals his thoughts: Entry #125 - Parental Conversations and Confrontations - Eddie journals about his strained relationship with his parents.

Eddie journals his thoughts: Entry #125 - Parental Conversations and Confrontations

5.6K Words; Rated: Teen And Up Audiences

___________

Here's a snippet from Eddie's journal entry that he wrote after his therapy session with his parents.

___________

It’s Friday, November 1st and I’m sitting here journaling about how frustrated I am regarding the therapy session I had with my parents when I should be getting ready for my boyfriend, soon to be fiancé to come home. During the session, my mom said something that was so ridiculous that I responded, “I have moved on” before I even realized it. I’m in love with Buck and I have been for years but the idea of trying to replace Shannon kept me holding onto the past… but I’m not going to do that anymore.

Me and Buck deserve to be happy and we will be. I’ve already purchased his engagement ring and I’m going to propose to him Thanksgiving Day while we’re in Malibu, CA. He doesn’t know anything about it and I have a lot of plans for us because we’re spending the entire weekend in a 5-star hotel. I’ve been working extra shifts to pay for it and Chris’ airplane ticket because he’s going to El Paso with Tía Pepa since we have to work and we won’t get off until noon on the holiday. I can’t wait until I can call him my husband and I believe he’s going to say yes when I pop the question.

I guess I should end this entry on a positive note because my overall goal for inviting my parents to join my therapy was two-fold. First, I wanted to improve our relationship, I mean the one I have with my dad is good but the one with my mom has always been built on a pile of sand that the tide could wash away at any moment and that’s partly my fault because I never spoke up and told her how the things she’s said affected me and my family. The second reason is because I’m in love with the love of my life and I will NOT let my mom treat Buck the way she treated Shannon.

What else did Eddie include in his journal entry about his parents? 👀

___________

Eddie journals his thoughts - Currently 2 Completed Works; 11K Words: Rated; General Audiences: This is a FANON series I’ve created and titled “Eddie Journals His Thoughts” and it will include several journal entries he writes as a healthy way to therapeutically process and work through the thoughts and feelings he had at the end of season 7.  Some of the things he writes will be heavy and emotionally angsty while others will be domestically and romantically fluffy.  As previously mentioned, I HATED the way 9-1-1 didn’t let him talk to anyone about the way he was feeling at the end of 7x10 and it pissed me off when they let his parents abruptly show up and take Chris to El Paso, Texas with them.

Part 1: Eddie journals his thought: Entry #118 - Future Tense - Eddie journal about his future.

Part 2: Eddie journals his thoughts: Entry #125 - Parental Conversations and Confrontations - Eddie journals about his strained relationship with his parents.

Now Available on AO3

[mags-yaps]

i know being a failed donor baby is literally one of the most traumatic arcs buck has gone through but can you imagine how fcked up it is that phillip and margaret buckley decided that the best way to grieve and ultimately honor their dead son is by completely erasing his existence? not only do they not talk about him (especially not to his other siblings) but they also throw out every single item he ever owned or touched and moved away from the home he grew up in just so that they can’t be reminded of him, like what in the actual fck?? like okay maybe i don’t understand how absolutely terrible it is to lose a child and people can definitely process their grief in their own way but there has to be a better way to do this than to just forget your dead son and neglect your other children…

honestly makes you wonder how buck and maddie would have grown up differently if their parents didn’t shut down completely and learned how to actually communicate

[redvelvetcupcakes21]

The fact that ABC is freaking advertising and promoting 911 is amazing and a 180 from Fox. My friend saw my shock that there was a 911 ad on busses and billboards and asked why I was surprised.

Me: the shows been airing since 2017 or 2018 and it barely got advertised, despite Angela Bassett being on it.

Friend: THATS the show she's on?! Angela Bassett has been on that show since 2017?

Me: Stars and Co producer.

[menace-behaviour]

Buck: I was put on this earth to do one thing.

Buck: Luckily, I was also given bad birth parents and ADHD, so I forgot what it was and I can do whatever I want.