#helicopter wip

[kinardsevan]

any other lil snippets or sneak peaks we can get about the helicopter fic?<3

when I tell you I quite literally am not working on this story right now.... like I'm not? I just spent the last 90 minutes writing you this scene. (also if you want teasers for the aneurysm chapter coming next you're gonna have to ask 😂)

-

“You’re gonna scream,” Tommy replies. “A lot.” 

A small squeak comes out of Evan; not quite a whimper as much as an understanding of what’s about to happen. He takes a couple of deep breaths as Tommy watches him, and reaches up to shove the fabric between his teeth, nodding when he’s ready… or at least as ready as he’s going to be.

Tommy has to take his own deep breath before he lifts the first axe and then swings it down into the tight, open wedge in the frame to widen it. Evan screams at the jostling, but the first one isn’t bad. 

Once Tommy has the first axe placed as a wedge, he uses the second one as a hammer, deepening the wedge until he’s got enough leverage to do the next part. He glances over his shoulder at Evan, watching him briefly. The blonde is shaking and sweating on the ground, but still somehow keeping it together. 

“I’m really sorry,” Tommy tells him then, his voice trembling. “I’m really, really sorry.” 

He shoves the second axe through the frame as he hangs onto the first, angles both of them, and then pulls. Evan wails, barely deafened by the fabric in his mouth as his feet kick against the ground as the onslaught of fresh blood flow rushes through his arm up to his fingertips until Tommy’s effort has created enough space for his arm to drop through. It’s the kind of wail Tommy only ever usually hears coming from infants. That high-pitched, broken, gut-wrenching kind of cry that starts out full of power and dies into a shaking, breathless sob as Evan’s elbow hits the ground and he curls into himself fully, wrapping himself around the limb to protect it. 

Tommy tosses the axes back to the ground and kneels then, getting down at eye-level with Evan, running a hand through his hair as the blonde sobs from the pain. 

“Okay,” he coaxes gently, continuing to stroke his head. “You’re out. You’re out.” 

Evan doesn’t calm down, and Tommy can’t really blame him. Still, he doesn’t stop working, because they both need him to keep going. He digs through the first aid kit, gathering up the iodine wipes and antibiotic ointment. He goes back into it again a minute later, finding the front pouch of the bag. He’s not even sure if it’s in there—it’s not part of the supply list, but always felt like a smart thing to keep on hand—and he has to fish around for a moment before his fingers wrap around the small case. 

“Evan,” he says softly as he settles back on the snow, unzips the package. His boyfriend looks up at him, still snuffling, still crying. Tommy sets it on the ground at his side, reaching back into the first aid kit for gloves. 

“Tommy,” he whimpers, the no, please no, lacing itself around his name. Tommy locks his jaw, his teeth clenched so tight together at the sound of Evan’s voice that he almost can’t deal with the way this is all making him feel. 

“We can’t leave this open to the elements,” Tommy tells him. “If we were gonna do that, chopping your arm off actually would’ve been the better option.” 

Evan scowls up at him at the suggestion, but it does nothing to stop his tears. He takes a few breaths and slowly pulls his arm away from his body, finally getting the full view of the injury that Tommy has already seen. ‘Open’ doesn’t do it justice. He has tissue and ligament exposure, and the realization of that brings on a fresh round of tears. 

“God damn it,” he cries, holding his arm out towards Tommy. 

Tommy shifts on the ground then, moving one leg over Evan’s arm, above his elbow before resting it on his other thigh, effectively pinning the limb into place. 

“With any luck, you’ll pass out from the pain,” Tommy offers up, as though it makes anything better. Evan shakes his head, just letting the tears flow freely. He doesn’t watch as Tommy wipes his arm down with the iodine wipes, tries not to scream when he uses the antiseptic wipes. Definitely doesn’t pay attention when Tommy threads the needle. 

But even after all that, he can’t stop the way his body tries to thrash off the ground, reach out for the meat of Tommy’s thigh when the needle digs into his forearm, physically bites his boyfriend’s calf as Tommy keeps his arm pinned with both legs. When he’s tied off the first one, he rests a hand inside Evan’s stinging, throbbing palm, lets him squeeze for a few moments until the worst of the pain has passed. When Evan lets go, he readjusts the needle, starts the process again, tries his best to ignore the agonizing screams coming from the man he loves next to him.

Evan doesn’t stay awake through the rest of it. 

[2-eeillustration]

TF x OC universe crossover design Ratchet WIP 🚁🔥

[bigfootsmom]

wip wednesday

i was tagged by the lovely and talented @try-set-me-on-fire, @mellaithwen, @tizniz, @homerforsure, @princessfbi,

@hoodie-buck , @loserdiaz <3 <3 <3

i have not written much but here's a bit from helicopter crash:

“Hey, no, no— None of that. Keep those pretty eyes open for me.” Tommy taps Evan’s cheek, holding his face between his palms once again. He’s afraid to let go.  A hurt noise rattles from somewhere within Evan’s chest, a wounded bird beating against the bars of his ribcage. “Tom–Tommy?”  “Right here, kid,” Tommy murmurs, swiping his thumbs over the high points of Evan’s cheeks. Evan’s eyes are unfocused, gaze drifting around the cockpit as he struggles to find the source of Tommy’s voice. Tommy’s stomach twists into a painful knot. That doesn’t bode well for the lack of a head injury. Tommy gently tilts Evan’s head so he’s directly facing him. He can see the moment that Evan finally finds him. His face twists in concern, brows knotting together with worry and his lips dip down into a tremulous frown.  “Y’okay? Wha’ happened?” Evan slurs, shifting in the harness as a clumsy arm comes up. Tommy thinks he’s aiming for his face, but Evan misses by a mile, heavy hand glancing off of Tommy’s elbow.  Tommy catches his hand, lowering it back down. “I’m okay, I’m okay,” he says, ribs twinging.

tags <3

@usersiren, @honestlydarkprincess, @swiftietartt, @holdmygum, @bibuddie,

@underwaterninja13, @father-salmon, @monsterrae1, @devirnis, @giddyupbuck

@bisexual-buck, @maygrantgf, @boykisserbuckley, @icarusbuck, @eddiebabygirldiaz

@smallandalmosthonest, @housewifebuck, @colonoscopys, @loveyouanyway, @watchyourbuck, and YOU if you're reading this and want to post something!!

[driftsart]

Wip: Decepticon Medics

This is just a sketch and I'll make them look a bit cleaner but I intend to finish it soon =D

Knockout's the lead medic/surgeon, Breakdown's the assistant, and Thundercracker handles all the medical technology :>

[joonsbubu]

wip ill never finish sorry

[3twindragons]

Winteriron/ if they met during the first iron man movie.

[theotherbuckley]

Tease Tidbit Tuesday 🚁

He sees it happening on the news.

He wonders if this was what it was like for Ali and Maddie when the ladder truck landed on his leg.

He thinks if he’d had to choose he’d choose another fire truck falling on him than the immense grief and fear that radiates from his chest like a bullet wound.

One minute he’s calling everyone over to watch the television because “Look! That’s my boyfriend flying that helicopter!” And then the next minute he’s paralysed, stuck staring at the TV as that same aircraft falls from the sky, helpless to do anything but watch.

Of course Taylor Kelly is reporting, but Buck can’t hear the words she’s saying. There’s a ringing in his ears that only seems to get louder and louder as he sees the helicopter crash somewhere in the distance.

There’s a hand on his shoulder, soft words spoken into his ear. He’s being directed towards the couch. He sits when prompted. But he stays stuck, eyes never leaving the television screen.

Tags under cut:

Tagged by: @wikiangela and @bidisasterevankinard 💜

Tagging: @fortheloveofbuddie @jeeyuns @honestlydarkprincess @eddiebabygirldiaz @jesuisici33 @your-catfish-friend @ladydorian05 @giddyupbuck @eowon @watchyourbuck @steadfastsaturnsrings @housewifebuck @thewolvesof1998 @rainbow-nerdss @cal-daisies-and-briars @evanbegins @diazsdimples @bucksbirthmark  @underwaterninja13 @daffi-990 @aspecbuddie @bucks-daddy-issues @tizniz @monsterrae1 @loveyouanyway @hippolotamus @incorrect9-1-1 @actualalligator @actuallyitsellie @dangerpronebuddie @babybibuck @exhuastedpigeon @perfectlysunny02 @buddieswhvre @loserdiaz @rogerzsteven @bucksbignaturals @smallandalmosthonest (let me know if you want to be added or removed I know bucktommy isn’t for everyone) (also im sorry for those I’ve tagged 100 times today agshsh im procrastinating studying for uni exams rn)

[carlyraejepsans]

Halfway to the sofa, they stopped, making a small sound like a grumble of annoyance. For a second, the red glow in their eye grew faint. "Sleep," they rasped out in a low, halting whisper, "I saved you an ache in the neck." It took him a second to register that the kid wasn't talking to him. Mostly 'cause Frisk didn't speak. To him. Or ever.

Sans wakes up late into the night and sees something he shouldn't have.

[loucifersbitch]

things i do not need: more wip ideas

and yet

[typicalopposite]

Up late the night before once again! getting this up before anyone can tag me :)

And for my snippet I give you the one thing I just don’t think this fandom can get enough of 😂😂 whether we write it a million different ways or the same exact way a million different times!

(From the angsty break up/helicopter crash fic under the cut cause its a little long!)

Buck is running blind. He knows that. The forest is massive and his chances of getting lost are far higher than his chances of actually finding Tommy.  But he has to try.  He runs until he loses track of which way he’s going; until the land is no longer flat that he is running on, and he is leaping over fallen trees and boulders and brush; until his legs—specifically his bad leg—are burning and aching and ready to give out… but then he just pushes himself to run faster.  And as if by some miracle… he finds it. Off a little ways in the distance—just as Buck is about ready to give up, or at least slow down—he spots the helicopter. Part of the propeller is broken off, the front window is busted out, the tail is snapped in half… and it’s caught on the branches of a tree, about thirty feet above the ground. “Oh god…” Buck gasps. The helicopter is tilting and the door has fallen open. “Tommy.”  He is hunched over, seemingly unconscious… possibly worse—Buck can’t let his mind go there, not yet. He has to stay focused because Tommy is nearly hanging out of the open door. All he is being held in by is the single strap across his chest. He tries to pick up speed, but his legs are so tired. He screams at them—at himself—to go, move, run faster. He has to get to Tommy. He has to save him. He has no idea how.  “I— I’m coming!” He screams. It’s doubtful that it’s heard; between the noises all around him, and the fact that Tommy is not alert, Buck is sure he didn’t hear— Tommy moves. He groans. “Tommy,” Buck says, barely above a whisper. He thinks there’s no way he is heard that time but then Tommy’s head lifts, his eyes instantly meet with Buck’s. Tommy’s face is covered in blood and so swollen one eye is completely closed; and yet he smiles. He looks directly at Buck and a wave of relief seems to wash over him. Like just seeing Buck has made what is an incredibly dire situation into a simple walk in the park.  He shifts, and the helicopter creaks. The limit that  tension being put on the belt can take is being tested. “T- Tommy! Tommy, don't move!” Buck screams; reality rushing back to him as he tries again to somehow get more momentum into his feet so he gets there faster.  “E- Evan…” Tommy calls out to him, and Buck suddenly loves his name. He swears he will call and thank his parents for giving him that name and even allow them to use it again. If he can just reach the tree and get Tommy out safe.  Buck mentally pleads with his legs to move faster. He has no idea what he’s going to do; he will climb the tree if he has to, get to the helicopter and carry Tommy down on his back… if that’s what it takes. He doesn’t care. He will do anything. He’s so close.  There’s another creak.  A snap.  The belt goes slack. It no longer matters how fast Buck runs… there is nothing he can do. Tommy falls from the helicopter—his hands frantically reaching around, trying to grab something—and he collides with the ground just as Buck reaches the tree.

yeahhhhh! she's gonna be a ride <3

throwing out these no pressure tags for @onthewaytosomewhere, @scripted-downfall, @taste-thewaste, @luainthewild, @meraki-yao, @adreamareads, @do-androids-dream-ao3acc, @30somethingautisticteacher and anyone else who wants to join in! <3

[thestonecuttersguild]

Workbench Wednesday!

It's been a minute, but here we go. Been working on this Huey this week. It's a very different challenge to working on an airplane. This is more like an armor kit that airplanes are. It's inside out, meaning that the interior will be on full display. Makes painting and filling tricky, since I'm painting everything ahead of time, and then going back for touch ups after sanding and filling. This thing will be nothing bust masking when it comes time for clear coats.

[kinardsevan]

also...whoever keeps hitting me up for the helicopter wip...

you can message me without anon 😂 i'll love you as much in the light as i do in the dark 😂😂😂

(maybe i'm just nosy about who wants more)

[minimindi]

Chaperoning the Yule Ball -WIP

Divorced Malfoy (40) and widowed Granger (41) agree to chaperone the annual Yule Ball for their children's 4th year at Hogwarts. I kinda love writing for older versions of our childhood characters!

Excerpt: (Hermione's POV)

“I suppose I shall endeavor to be a better helicopter parent, shall I? Realistically though I’d say the odds of me learning the fine art of subtly at this point in my life to be less than zero. What if I watch out for your kid and you watch out for mine?” she asked.

“Twenty points to Gryffindor for your self awareness. Okay we can swap kids for this evening. Mine is not allowed to go into the gardens with anyone besides Albus. And he’s not to take a drink from anyone except Rose or Albus. What are your rules for Rose?”

“Wait, you’re going to allow him to go into the gardens with Albus?! Malfoy! They’ll end up snogging at the very least!” she exclaimed.

“It would be about time too. He’s wanted to kiss him for years now, though he thinks no one knows. I need for him to get on with it already so that I can stop seeing him make those ridiculous love-sick eyes at the Potter boy. But he’s not to leave the Great Hall with anyone else. Knowing Scorp like I do, he’ll end up in a kiss that he doesn’t want if he leaves with someone else. Well, except for your daughter. Neither of them are interested in each other in that way I suppose. Okay, he can leave the Hall with Rose too.”

“Kissing is just where it starts, Malfoy! If you let them go out there it won’t be long before kissing escalates to other things.”

“My goodness Granger, what on earth did you do in the Hogwarts gardens?!” Malfoy asked with a smirk and a chuckle. She rose up to the balls of her feet to get a better angle before swinging her hand at his shoulder. “Ow! Merlin’s tits woman, we’re not thirteen anymore. Stop hitting me!”

For an older version of Draco & Hermione I'm thinking of Tom Felton & Emmy Rossum

[bigfootsmom]

tease/tidbit tuesday

I was tagged by the lovely and wonderful @devirnis, @smallandalmosthonest, @eddiebabygirldiaz, @tizniz <3 <3 <3

Here’s a little bit more from the helicopter crash fic (i promise they’re both gonna live…they just get a little tenderized first)

The space is cramped, Evan’s knees pressing against Tommy’s chest, but Tommy crowds in as close as he can get. “Hey, hey— Evan, c’mon, I need you to wake up.”

Tommy taps his cheek, smoothing his limp hair back from his forehead, spreading more blood across Evan’s skin. There isn’t even a flutter of his lashes, Evan’s head heavy between Tommy’s hands.

“Evan! Come on, you gotta wake up, kid.” Tommy can hear the hysteria creeping into his voice, the panic rising up the back of his throat.

Letting Evan’s head rest back against his shoulder, Tommy switches tactics, frantically tearing at the opening of Evan’s jacket. “Baby, don’t do this to me— come on,” Tommy begs, dragging his knuckles over Evan’s chest, the thin fabric of his cotton t-shirt bunching up with each rough swipe.

Evan’s face scrunches up, eyes rolling under his eyelids, but he remains a deadweight in the harness. “Come on, come on, come on—”

It has to hurt, the way he digs his knuckles into Evan’s sternum, but Tommy doesn’t stop, ruthlessly rubbing at Evan’s chest as he watches his face for any change. Finally, Evan shifts, lips pursing as he groans and Tommy feels like he could cry from relief as hazy blue eyes blink open.

“Hey— there you are! There you go, Evan. Good job, baby— that’s it,” Tommy encourages, pressing his palm over Evan’s chest.

Tags <3

@usersiren , @honestlydarkprincess, @swiftietartt, @holdmygum, @bibuddie

@underwaterninja13, @father-salmon, @giddyupbuck, @monsterrae1, @loserdiaz

@shyaudacity, @try-set-me-on-fire, @homerforsure, @mellaithwen, @princessfbi

@buddie-buddie, @boykisserbuckley, @icarusbuck, @maygrantgf, @bisexual-buck

@housewifebuck, @colonoscopys, @watchyourbuck, @loveyouanyway, and YOU if you want to post something!

[smilingberryy]

WIP of the Darling animation meme

Just the rough sketch alone I feel so proud of this, decided once I heard the audio I thought why not use the meme to introduce the general story outline/refined bits of another JSAB au of mine called Jsab: Regret!

[spectres-fulcrum]

WIP Sunday(???? I'm declaring it's a thing because I want to share this WIP)

So this is part of a 5+1 thing(Bonus points if you can guess the punch line of the 5 times thing. Hint: Buck forgets something) but it also was really fun to write(Although I felt horrible for Buck) so I'm going to share it on Tumblr. (And the best of S1 Buck shows in Part 2)

The gist of it is: Buck and Abby go out with a group of her friends, who will go on and tell Tommy she's dating a himbo, but for now is more concerned that Abby's new boytoy is from the same station Tommy just transferred away from(Because seriously, how does that look to all their friends? Like the retcon is SO delicious from an Abby standpoint). Also some Carla because the show needs more Carla.

And some Getaway Car by Taylor Swift/Summer of 2016 Tom Hiddleston references.

“So what firehouse do you work for? I’m out at the 176,” Nate said and Abby winced. “The 118,” Buck said and the air at the table changed instantly. Linda looked at Nate. “The 118. Abby-” “Don’t you dare, Mariss,” Abby said. “What about the 118?” Buck asked. “Nothing. It’s-nothing. Just had a few rough calls with them these guys know about. I think their A-shift has gotten a big overhaul recently though,” Nate said. “You could say that again,” Danny whispered and took a swig of his beer. 

1. Abby’s friends

Buck was nervous at he waited for the door to open, holding a bouquet of flowers. What if they didn’t like him? What if-The door opened and Abby smiled and he smiled.

It didn’t matter if her friends didn’t like him, she liked him. 

“Hey you,” She said fondly and glanced at the flowers.

“Hello. These are for you. You look beautiful,” He added. She was in a dark red dress, her hair done up in some sort of fancy bun. She took the flowers and set them on the table next to the door and tugged on the lapels of his jacket to pull him in for a lingering kiss. 

“You look hot,” She whispered, “Kinda just wanna check into the hotel and skip dinner.” He chuckled.

“Me too,” He said, “But I want your friends to like me.” 

“Yeah,” She said and made a face. 

“Hello Buck,” Carla said from behind Abby and they laughed and disentangled themselves.

“Hey Carla,” He said with a smile and Abby picked the flowers back up and went to find a vase.

“Just a triple check. You are fine watching her overnight, right?” Abby asked.

“Yes. You two go out with your friends, show your new guy off, then go to your hotel room. Have a romantic, sexy night. We’ll be fine. Howard’s busy tonight so no loss,” Carla said. 

“I love you, thank you,” Abby said, and hugged her when the flowers were settled. They said good-night to Patricia and Buck grabbed her overnight bag and they were off. He held her hand as they went down to her car, and gave her a long kiss over the console.

“Alone. I have you for the next sixteen hours and I only share you for maybe two or three of them,” He murmured.

“How much sleep do you expect to get?” She asked.

“Depends on how many times I can get you to cum. We definitely need to be up in time for some morning sex,” Buck said. She groaned happily. “Maybe we can start now?”

“Okay, driving now before I decide to go straight to the hotel,” She said and he threw his head back laughing. They talked their jobs as they drove to the restaurant where they were meeting her friends, some of whom were already seated.

“Abby!” A woman around Abby’s age stood to greet Abby with a hug, bypassing the hostess. Abby hugged her tightly, and by the time they parted, another woman was ready to hug her. Then the three looked back at Buck and started whispering and then they all giggled, Abby blushing. Buck stepped forward.

“It’s not like that!” Abby was whispering. 

“Hi, I’m Buck,” He said with a smile.

“Buck, this is my best friend Allison, and another close friend Marissa. Allison is the only friend I saw before Carla forced me to start seeing friends again,” Abby said. 

“Hey, it’s so good to meet you both,” Buck said and Marissa gave an odd smile. 

“A pleasure,” She said.

“This is Allison’s husband, Jeff, and Marrisa’s husband, Ben, and Danny, another friend,” Abby said, introducing the three men at the table. 

“Hey man,” Danny said.

“Good to finally meet you. Thank you for making Abby live again,” Jeff said, a look in his eyes.

“Ditto what Jeff said,” Ben said.

“Guys, I was fine,” Abby said. She started towards the seat next to Allison’s and Buck went to pull the chair out. Abby giggled.

“Thanks,” She said and sat down. He kissed her temple and then went to sit next to her, next to Danny, who ran through the dynamics. Abby and Allison had worked together at Dispatch over a decade ago. Allison and Marissa had met via Jeff and Ben, Allison brought Abby into their group. Danny was a friend from Abby’s ex-fiancé’s(The majority of them saw Tommy more than Abby these days), as was the last couple to arrive, Linda and Nate.

It was odd, to Buck, that the breakup was so devastating, but the friends were still so entwined, but Abby still greeted Linda and Nate with a warm hug.

“You good?” He asked quietly as she sat back down.

“Of course,” She said and looked at him. “Buck. Linda was going to be one of my bridesmaids over girls I knew in college. I love them. Just because I lost Tommy doesn’t mean we had to lose our friends.”

“Okay. Just seems odd to me,” He said.

“We’re happy,” She said, but let him kiss her cheek before turning to Linda. “How are the kiddos?”

“Growing. Your ex-fiancé convinced me it was safe to let him take the twins up in a helicopter,” Linda said.

“Shut up. Helicopters aren’t safe for two-year-olds,” Abby said and the table roared with laughter. Buck didn’t know what was so funny about that. Were helicopters safe for toddlers?

“They are, actually, but you know good and well they’re eight now,” Linda said.

Oh. They must’ve been toddlers when Tommy first introduced Abby to the family.

“Liar,” Abby said. 

“They’re good. God, they are so good. We gotta work out a time for Aunt Abby and the twins now that your mom has a reliable caretaker,” Nate said. Buck sat with an arm around the back of Abby’s chair as they discussed kids and friends and jobs and put in dinner orders and got wine. Buck barely understood any of the quick back and forth of a group that had clearly been together… at least six years. 

“So what about you, Buck?” Ben asked. “How’d you meet Abby?”

“On a call,” Buck said.

“On a call? Abbs,” Allison sounded worried.

“Nothing for Mom. I was working Dispatch,” Abby said quickly.

“She was amazing. I’m a firefighter and she was on the phone with this little girl home alone who had intruders in the house. The girl had just moved and didn’t know her new address, so I was searching for the house, and she managed to figure out how to get me to the correct house. We ended up saving the little girl. Abby on the phone, me on the ground,” Buck said and looked at Abby and smiled remembering the magic of that first call. “We made a pretty great team if I do say so myself.”

“We did,” Abby said, “Although I wasn’t as amazing as he makes it sound. He was on the ground. Had he missed the bike outside the house, she would’ve been in bad shape.” 

“And if you hadn’t asked for anything she knew to describe the house, we would’ve been entirely lost,” Buck said.

“So what firehouse do you work for? I’m out at the 176,” Nate said and Abby winced.

“The 118,” Buck said and the air at the table changed instantly. Linda looked at Nate.

“The 118. Abby-”

“Don’t you dare, Mariss,” Abby said.

“What about the 118?” Buck asked.

“Nothing. It’s-nothing. Just had a few rough calls with them these guys know about. I think their A-shift has gotten a big overhaul recently though,” Nate said.

“You could say that again,” Danny whispered and took a swig of his beer. 

They were lying. Buck could tell. But why were they all panicking that Abby was dating a guy from the 118?

“Our captain has only been there for a year and some change and they’ve lost two members of their core firefighting squad so I would say so. Nash wants to get another probie as soon as I’m off my probie year,” Buck said. 

“So we exchanged numbers after that call,” Abby said loudly, “We talked for a few weeks, just over the phone. Getting to know each other. It’s been so sweet and romantic.” “It’s what she deserves,” Buck said. 

“I heard you guys went out for Valentine’s Day? How did that go? Allison never told me,” Jeff said.

“Oh god. It ended in the ER,” Buck said and Abby laughed.

“He was so nervous he choked on bread and I did a emergency field tracheostomy,” Abby said. Ben pulled the bread basket closer to him.

“My bread,” He said.

“Probably the safest bet,” Buck said. Dinner continued and after he finished his meal, he excused himself to the bathroom, and as he was leaving, he heard Marissa and Allison talking.

“-fucking stupid? She claims she’s moving on and she goes and does this?” Allison was saying.

“It’s not moving on, Ally. This is her finally rebounding. We told her to do this a year ago,” Marissa said. “It’s not going to last.”

“Obviously. He’s so not her type,” Allison said. Buck wanted to walk to the other side of the men’s room.

“He’s like some puppy dog with the way he looks at her! It’s puppy love! And that choking story. So not cute,” Marissa said. 

“Almost as bad as that downed power line story where he wanted to ride that pool floatie out to that little girl. Tommy would never be that... idiotic. Especially with a child around. I’m worried though. She’s recreating Tommy,” Allison said.

“She needs to feel anything, so she’s willing to use this young boytoy for his dick. He’s buff enough that she can probably pretend he’s Tommy from their dating days when he fucks her with the lights off. They were slow and old-fashioned too. She’s literally dating her Tom Hiddleston,” Marissa said. Allison laughed.

Wasn’t Tom Hiddleston some actor? 

“He has I <3 AC written all over his face. No tank top needed,” She said. Marissa giggled.

“Makes me almost feel bad for that boy but if he can’t see it than that’s his fault,” Marissa said.

“It’s literally Abby embodying Getaway Car’s “The circus ain’t a love story” and she’s not stupid enough not to know that. He’s a rebound and she knows it,” Allison said. 

“If they’re a thing come Memorial Day we’ll stage an intervention. Tell her what she’s doing and that she has to end it,” Marissa said. 

“What if it does last? Abby Kinard sounded so much better than Abby Buckley. With her mom dying, she might do something crazy like pull out the white dress she claims she canceled the order for,” Allison said.

Abby Kinard. That could’ve been her name. Abby Kinard, married to Tommy Kinard. A... helicopter pilot? Buck hated the sound of Abby Kinard. 

“She kept the dress? Abbs…” Marissa sounded sad then.

“I think she wanted to believe he was coming back. But also, dress shopping was one of her last best memories of her mom before things got rough. Canceling the dress probably felt like giving up on Tommy and her mother,” Allison said and Buck ached for that Abby.

“She’s allowed this for now. God, she is such a good daughter and just needs something that’s hers. But,” Marissa said loudly, “If she ever does something crazy like get married, then we convince Tommy to show up at the wedding and say his vows. They loved each other once. Ally, they were so good together. They can fix it. I can’t figure out why he left.”

“Danny’s the only one who knows and he’s not saying a word. But I think that’s why she chose a boytoy from the 118. Maybe this 23-year-old will give her a reason to project onto Tommy and she’ll finally be able to move on,” Allison said.

So the 118 was special. But why? 

“Come on. Before Abby catches us while she’s in her lying to herself that this is real stage,” Marissa said. Buck heard footsteps retreating from outside the door. 

His thoughts raced. Were they right? Was he a rebound? Was Abby trying to recreate her relationship with Tommy? Did she think about him when she was whimpering under him? 

Or were they wrong? Was this real?

Or was it somewhere in between? Did it matter? He made his way back to the table and Abby smiled at him and leaned in for a kiss.

“You were gone a long time. The girls left to use the bathroom-aka have a gossip gab session without me- and even came back before you did. You okay?” Abby asked. Marissa caught his eye. She knew. Had she known all along?

“I’m fine,” Buck said.

“I was thinking we skip after dinner dessert and wine and go check in to the hotel,” Abby said softly, “Want to get this dress on the floor.”

It didn’t matter. Abby was still Abby Clark, not a single ring on her fingers.

“Sounds perfect. Let me wave down the waiter, get our check,” Buck said. Everyone was politely amused that they left early and when Buck turned back at the door, they were all laughing.

“That went well,” Abby said.

It was the complete opposite. Her friends were mature, had jobs and kids, was used to Abby having a mature adult partner they all knew and loved. For some reasons, reasons Buck didn’t know well enough to agree or disagree with, they thought she was recreating her ex with him.

“I don’t care how it went as long as I still have you at the end of it,” He said.

“You do,” Abby said with a smile. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

“Then you, me, a hotel room for twelve hours. It’s time to let your hair down,” He said and reached for the clip in her hair. She made a face.

“Hey! I spent time on that bun!” She said, laughing.

“And it was gorgeous, but you look better with it free,” Buck said and let his hand wander down to unzip her dress an inch. Her breath hitched.

“Evan Buckley, get me into the car so we can get to that hotel now,” She said.

As long as she smiled and laughed at him, nothing else mattered.

(Forgive me Buck(And Tom Hiddleston, I LOVED Hiddleswift back in the day but this was too easy) but this was so much fun to write)