#platonic chimneytommy

[mmso-notlikethat]

Ode to My Broken Wrench

yay finally finished my EddieChimTommy bonding fic, it's just some fix-it for their friendship that I needed so much. I might had too much fun writing this

Gen Ι WC 3,732

on ao3 or below <3

Tommy hears the knock at his door and opens it to find Chimney standing there, a six-pack of beer in his hand and his signature grin plastered across his face.

Tommy leans against the doorframe with a sigh. "What is it, Howie?"

Chimney lifts the six-pack as if it’s a winning lottery ticket. "Oh, come on, I’ve been calling you. You don’t have plans, right? I brought this, and I wanna watch that movie you’re always raving about."

Tommy crosses his arms, looking unimpressed. "Howie... Look, I’m not in the mood for any lectures or talks. Can we just drop this so I can go back to spending my off day clearing out the garage?"

Chimney widens his eyes in mock offense. "Who said anything about a lecture? Dude, what would I even lecture you about?"

Tommy tilts his head, scoffing. "Really? You want me to believe this is just about beer and a movie?"

Before Chimney can respond, the sound of a truck pulling into the driveway catches their attention. Tommy groans as Eddie steps out, holding a pizza box.

Tommy throws up his hands. "Great. You invited Eddie, too?"

Chimney grins even wider. "I did not. But hey, the more, the merrier." He nudges Tommy aside and steps into the house like he owns the place.

Tommy spins around, incredulous. "Really, Howie?!"

Chimney waves a hand dismissively, already making himself comfortable in the living room. "Relax, dude. You’ve got comfy couches, a big TV, and beer. What’s there to complain about?"

Eddie, reaching the door, takes in the scene with an amused look. "Trouble in paradise?"

Tommy glares at him. "You just happened to swing by? With pizza?"

Eddie shrugs, holding up the box. "Finished some errands and figured you’d be home. Thought you might want company—or at least wouldn’t turn down free food."

Chimney’s voice floats over from the living room. "See? It’s fate. Now shut the door, grab some plates, and let’s get this party started."

Tommy sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "You two are annoying."

Eddie smirks, stepping past him and into the house. "And yet, here we are."

Tommy shuts the door, but his hesitation lingers as he watches them settle in like this is their space. He doesn’t sit, standing stiffly by the arm of the couch instead.

"Seriously, what are you guys doing here?" His tone isn’t angry, but it’s far from relaxed.

Chimney, already popping the tab on a beer, looks up with an easy smile. "Having a beer, watching a movie, and hanging out with our buddy. What else would we be doing?"

Eddie glances over, his expression more measured. "Yeah, Tommy. What else?"

Tommy doesn’t answer right away, the weight of their presence pulling at him in ways he’s not ready to confront. He nods toward the pizza box instead. "You’d better clean up after yourselves."

The movie flickered across the screen, its dramatic soundtrack filling the living room. Chimney was sprawled on the couch, one hand holding a beer and the other occasionally pointing at the screen to punctuate his running commentary.

“Okay, but why would they go in there? Like, have they not seen a single horror movie in their lives?!” Chimney exclaimed, shaking his head in mock disappointment. “Classic rookie mistake.”

Eddie sighed heavily from the armchair, his legs stretched out, pizza box balanced on one knee. “This is why I don’t watch movies. People doing dumb stuff for no reason. Can we do something else? Spar? Shoot some hoops? Literally anything?”

Tommy, sitting on the edge of the couch, barely registered Eddie’s complaint. He was leaning forward slightly, elbows on his knees, his hands loosely clasped. His eyes were on the TV, but he wasn’t really watching. His fingers tapped absently against each other, and he shifted in his seat every so often, like he couldn’t quite get comfortable.

Chimney turned to Eddie with a grin. “What’s wrong, Ed? Can’t handle sitting still for two hours? That explains why you always lose at poker. No patience.”

“Poker has strategy,” Eddie countered, his voice flat. “This is just...waiting for the inevitable.”

Chimney rolled his eyes. “It’s called suspense. Builds character.”

Eddie snorted. “You should’ve told me we were watching a character-building exercise.”

Chimney was about to retort when his gaze flicked to Tommy, who hadn’t said a word since they’d pressed play. His expression softened for a brief moment before he leaned back into his usual tone.

“Hey, Tommy, back me up here. Tell Mr. No Fun that this is a cinematic masterpiece.”

Tommy blinked, pulled from his thoughts. “Huh?”

“The movie!” Chimney said, gesturing dramatically at the screen. “Defend its honor!”

Tommy glanced at the TV, the scene a blur in his mind. “Uh...yeah. Sure.”

Chimney frowned slightly but didn’t push. Instead, he nudged Eddie’s arm with his foot. “See? Tommy gets it. Unlike you, traitor.”

Eddie smirked faintly but didn’t respond, his eyes drifting to Tommy for a beat. “Hey, you okay over there? You’ve been awfully quiet.”

Tommy straightened slightly, his fingers curling into fists briefly before he forced them to relax. “I’m fine. Just...watching.”

Eddie didn’t look convinced, but Chimney cut in before the silence could stretch. “That’s the spirit. Focus on the brilliance of this movie instead of complaining, Eddie.”

Eddie rolled his eyes but didn’t push further, settling back into his seat. Tommy shifted again, his gaze flicking between the screen and his friends. He knew they were trying, in their own ways, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were here for a reason they weren’t saying out loud.

And maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t ready to hear it.

Tommy suddenly grabbed the remote and hit pause, freezing the movie mid-scene.

Chimney groaned dramatically, tossing his head back. “Tommy, whyyy? We were just getting to the best part! This is where the hero pulls off the impossible stunt. Come on, man!”

Eddie didn’t react as loudly. He just glanced at Tommy with a raised eyebrow, already sensing something was coming.

Tommy stood, letting the remote drop onto the coffee table as he began pacing. His hands went to his hips, then ran through his hair, a frustrated sigh escaping his lips. “Okay, I can’t do this. I can’t just sit here and pretend like everything’s normal.”

Eddie and Chimney exchanged glances but stayed quiet as Tommy continued, his voice rising slightly with frustration.

“I broke up with Ev—Buck. You both are his family, and what? Now we’re just buddies? Really? You don’t think that’s...weird?”

Eddie opened his mouth, but Chimney beat him to it, throwing his hands up. “Really? This is why you stopped the movie? To drop some existential crisis bomb? I knew you were stupid, Kinard, but come on! This is amateur-level stupid. And I’ve known you for, what, 20 years? You think I’m hanging out here for the popcorn?”

Tommy stopped pacing, turning toward Chimney with an incredulous look. And with a scoff “Please, Howie. How many times did we actually hang out this much before I started dating Buck? Don’t you see what I’m saying?”

Chimney opened his mouth to retort, but Eddie leaned forward, cutting in with a sharp tone. “First, stop calling him Buck.” He made a face as if the name itself tasted bad. “It feels weird. Stick to Evan, for God’s sake.”

Tommy blinked at him. “What does that have to do with—”

“And we’re going back to this because what the hell, you idiot,” Eddie interrupted, his voice hard. “Breaking up with him? Really? What were you even thinking?” He continued with a glare “You think cutting us off for the past two months was the smart move? Ignoring calls, dodging texts, what was that? Some genius post-breakup plan?”

Tommy shifted uncomfortably, looking at the floor. “It wasn’t like that…”

Eddie wasn’t letting up. “Oh no? Then what was it like? Because from where I’m sitting, it sure seems like you were ready to throw this—us���out along with the relationship. And for what?”

Tommy hesitated, his jaw tightening. “You’re Buck’s family—”

“Evan,” Eddie corrected with a glare.

Tommy huffed. “Fine. Evan’s family. It felt...weird.” He hesitated before adding, his tone sharper, “And it wasn’t just me. You didn’t exactly come banging on my door either. I wasn’t the only one who stayed quiet.”

Eddie opened his mouth to reply but faltered, glancing at Chimney, who scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

“Fair,” Chimney admitted, raising a hand. “We kind of dropped the ball there. But we’re here now, aren’t we?”

Tommy stopped pacing and crossed his arms, his gaze hardening as he looked at both of them. “Yeah, now. After two months. You think it’s that easy to just...trust that? You’re here now, sure, but for a while, it felt like you didn’t care either.”

Eddie opened his mouth to respond, but Tommy held up a hand, his voice sharper now. “I’m not saying you don’t care. I know you do. But when you go quiet for that long...it’s hard not to feel like maybe I was right to cut you off.”

He paused, running a hand through his hair as his voice cracked slightly. “I didn’t just lose Evan. I also lost my friends that day, and that—” His tone grew more frustrated and angry as he struggled to get the words out. “That... that actually hurt, okay? It hurt more than I want to admit.”

“Tommy—” Chimney started, his tone softer, but Tommy cut him off, shaking his head.

“You probably should’ve come earlier. I’ve been having full-blown conversations with my tools in the garage. The wrench? Total pessimist. Hammer? Thinks I’m beyond saving.” He let out a humorless laugh, the tension in his shoulders easing just a fraction. “Guess I’m on my own repair list now.”

Eddie leaned back, smirking, his tone shifting to something lighter. “Careful, Tommy. Keep this up, and we might actually start thinking you have feelings.”

Chimney, still holding his beer, gave Tommy a softer look. “We’re sorry, Tommy. For not calling sooner. That was on us.”

Eddie nodded, his smirk fading briefly. “Yeah. You didn’t deserve that.”

The silence lingered for a beat, heavy but not uncomfortable.

Tommy shrugged, forcing a faint smile. “Guess you’re making up for it now with free therapy.”

Chimney grinned, the teasing slipping back into his tone. “Next thing you know, you’ll be writing poetry in the garage. ‘Ode to My Broken Wrench.’”

Tommy rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress the small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Yeah, well, don’t hold your breath waiting for an invite to the recital.”

Chimney leaned back with a grin. “Speaking of tools, for someone who loves fixing things, you sure suck at fixing friendships.”

Tommy glared at him. “Wow, thanks, Howie. That’s super helpful.”

Chimney shrugged, his grin cheeky. “Hey, I call it like I see it. You’ve been rebuilding this house piece by piece for what? Two years? And don’t even get me started on your garage. You’ll spend hours under a car, but then, when it’s about picking up the phone? Crickets. What, were you afraid we’d say, ‘Hey, we still like you’?”

Eddie snorted, folding his arms. “He’s not wrong. You can rebuild a carburetor but can’t handle a text?”

Chimney leaned back with a smirk. “See? I’m just saying, maybe your emotional toolbox is missing a wrench or two. And apparently, relationships are above your pay grade.”

Tommy’s lips twitched as if he wanted to be annoyed but couldn’t quite pull it off. “Maybe I just don’t like interruptions while I’m trying to work.”

“Please,” Chimney scoffed, waving a hand. “I know you’ve been talking to the water heater like it’s your new best friend.”

Chimney sighed, sitting up straighter. “Look, I get it. We didn’t call you those first couple of weeks, and yeah, that’s on us.”

Eddie nodded, his expression serious. “We messed up, okay? We thought you might need space or...hell, we didn’t know what to do. It’s not like there’s a manual for this.”

Chimney gestured between himself and Eddie. “We’re idiots. But even idiots figure things out eventually, and that’s why we’re here now. To make sure you don’t do something even dumber, like cut us out of your life.”

Tommy scoffed, his tone dipping into something darker. “Oh, right, because abandoning me for weeks while I was spiraling was definitely the smart move. Guess it’s my fault for thinking I rated higher than a missed call.”

Chimney winced. “Ouch. Fat head, you’re gonna guilt us to death before this movie ends.”

Tommy ignored him, back to pacing. “You’re Buck’s—Evan’s—family. I’m the guy who...” He paused, glancing at the floor before adding with a bitter chuckle, “Well, let’s just say I wasn’t exactly the best decision maker here.”

“Tommy,” Eddie said, leaning forward, his tone softening but still firm. “I introduced you to Christopher. You met him before you started dating Buck. You think I just do that for anyone?”

Tommy stopped mid-step, his head snapping up to look at Eddie.

“And you know we hung out before, too,” Eddie added, crossing his arms. “Like that should even matter. But apparently, it does to you. You think a breakup changes who we are to you? Because it doesn’t.”

Chimney jumped back in, pointing a finger at Tommy. “Yeah, what he said. And another thing—this is not because of Evan, Buck, or whatever the hell we’re calling him right now. We’re here because of you, idiot. You think I’ve been dragging my butt to your house all this time for romance updates? Please. I don’t care about your disastrous love life; I care about you. Always have. Always will.”

Tommy’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. He looked between them, his defenses crumbling under their combined words.

Eddie leaned back with a smirk. “And don’t forget—I still need you to check my car. And that Muay Thai setup in your garage? You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

Chimney raised a hand. “Also, I’m not going to let you disappear because I’m gonna need you to be my backup when I inevitably prank Eddie and he tries to kill me. I’ve got long-term plans, Kinard.”

Tommy let out a small, reluctant laugh despite himself, shaking his head.

Eddie softened his tone further, leaning forward. “Look, man, I get it. You’re hurt, and you’re trying to figure out what happens next. But don’t throw away the people who’ve been here for you just because you’re afraid things will change. You’re not just Buck’s ex. You’re Tommy. And we’ve got your back, whether you want it or not.”

Chimney nodded, raising his beer. “What he said. But also, don’t stop the movie next time. This heartfelt stuff? Cool. But I was really invested in that explosion scene.” He grinned, adding, “And you’re paying for pizza next time. Emotional outbursts aren’t free.”

Eddie rolled his eyes, but Tommy let out a breathy laugh despite himself, shaking his head. He sank back onto the couch, finally meeting their gazes.

“I’m not good at this,” Tommy admitted quietly.

“No kidding,” Eddie deadpanned, but his expression softened. “Good thing you’ve got us to help you figure it out.”

Chimney clinked his beer against Eddie’s. He looked at Tommy with a mock-serious expression. “But for real, you still owe me for that time I saved your life.”

Tommy groaned, covering his face with his hands. “You’re never letting this go, are you?”

“Not a chance,” Chimney said cheerfully.

The three of them settled back into a more comfortable silence. The movie resumed, but Tommy found himself less focused on the screen and more on the feeling that, maybe, he wasn’t as alone as he thought.

The movie ended with a loud explosion, followed by the dramatic swell of music as the credits rolled. Chimney stretched, letting out a satisfied sigh. “That was good. Totally worth staying up for.”

Tommy raised an eyebrow. “You stayed up? You’ve been snoring through the last fifteen minutes.”

Chimney shrugged, unapologetic. “Yeah, but I woke up in time for the big finish. Anyway, I should get going. Maddie’s going to kill me if I’m late picking up Jee.”

Eddie smirked. “If Maddie hasn’t killed you yet, you’re probably fine.”

“Don’t tempt fate, Diaz,” Chimney shot back, pulling on his jacket. He turned to Tommy and gave him a pat on the shoulder. “Don’t think too much, fat head. It’s bad for you. And Eddie, don’t let him overanalyze everything once I’m gone.”

“Not making any promises,” Eddie replied, smirking.

Chimney waved as he headed to the door. “Alright, have fun with the heart-to-heart. Don’t cry too much, boys.”

Tommy rolled his eyes as the door clicked shut behind Chimney. “He never changes.”

“You’ve been friends for two decades. You must’ve figured that out by now,” Eddie said, leaning back in the couch.

Tommy disappeared into the kitchen. He returned a moment later with two beers, handing one to Eddie before settling into his seat. “Figured it out? I gave up years ago.”

They drank in companionable silence for a while, the quiet punctuated only by the occasional sound of Tommy fidgeting with his bottle cap. Finally, Eddie broke the stillness.

“I’m moving to Texas.”

Tommy froze mid-sip, lowering his bottle slowly. “Texas? You’re leaving?”

Eddie nodded. “Yeah.”

Tommy stared at him, his brow furrowing. “Chris isn’t coming back, is he?”

Eddie sighed, his expression becoming unreadable as he stared into his beer. “I don’t know. I don’t want to push him. But I’m so done with missing his life. I can’t do it anymore.”

Tommy leaned back, letting out a breath as he processed Eddie’s words. “So much for those long-term plans you were just talking about earlier.”

Eddie shot him a mock glare, his lips twitching into a faint smile. “Hey, I can still have long-term plans. They’re just...geographically flexible.”

Tommy chuckled, lifting his beer. “Fair enough.”

For a while, they sat in silence again, the weight of the conversation hanging between them. Eddie tapped his fingers lightly against the neck of his bottle, a habit Tommy recognized as him thinking something over.

Eventually, Tommy broke the quiet. “Did you talk to him before deciding to move?”

Eddie blinked, his head tilting slightly. “Chris?”

Tommy nodded, his voice even. “Dude, talk to your boy.”

Eddie let out a breath, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know. I mean, I’ve asked him how he feels about Texas. He doesn’t hate it, but…” Eddie trailed off again, this time with more hesitation.

“The last time I talked to him, I told him I’d get him an autograph from that actor he likes. Said he could hang it in his room, and he goes, ‘Oh cool, you’ll send it to me.’” Eddie’s voice softened as he repeated the words, a flicker of pain crossing his face. “He meant his room in Texas. At my parents house. And it just...it hit me. He doesn’t think of here as home anymore. I’m not his home anymore.”

Tommy tilted his head. “But you haven’t actually asked him if he wants to stay, have you?”

Eddie looked away, his silence answering the question.

Tommy nodded knowingly, taking a slow sip from his beer. “Dude, talk to your boy. He’s old enough to know what he wants—or at least to tell you what he’s feeling. Don’t make it harder than it needs to be.”

Eddie stared at the floor for a moment, swirling his beer absentmindedly. Then, after a long pause, he lifted his gaze to Tommy. “Maybe you should take that advice and talk to your boy.”

Tommy frowned, his brows knitting together. “What are you talking about?”

Eddie raised an eyebrow, giving him a pointed look. “I mean Buck.”

Tommy sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. “He’s not my boy, Eddie.”

Eddie’s voice was calm but firm. “You sure about that?”

Tommy opened his mouth to respond but stopped, his words catching in his throat. Finally, he snorted softly, trying to shift the mood. “Last time I talked to him, we didn’t exactly leave it on a ‘let’s grab coffee’ note. Pretty sure he’d rather punch me than talk to me.”

Tommy glanced at Eddie, expecting a smirk or maybe a chuckle, but Eddie’s gaze was steady, unwavering. It wasn’t judgmental, just...patient.

The corner of Tommy’s mouth twitched, but the humor faded quickly under Eddie’s silent persistence.

Eddie finally spoke, his tone calm. “Maybe. But you won’t know unless you try.”

Tommy sighed heavily, his smirk faltering. He stared at the label on his beer bottle, peeling at the edge with his thumb as if it would give him an answer.

Eddie leaned back slightly, still watching him. “You don’t get it, do you? Buck’s not over you, Tommy. He’s trying to be, but he’s not.”

Tommy finally looked up, his expression conflicted. “And what if I’m not over him either? What’s that supposed to change?”

Eddie’s gaze softened. “It means you stop being scared of messing up and actually try. You’re not perfect—none of us are—but Buck doesn’t want perfect. He wants you.”

Tommy blinked, visibly caught off guard. “You sound so sure.”

Eddie gave a small shrug, offering a faint, self-deprecating laugh. “Alright, maybe I’m not. I don’t know every detail of what happened between you two, and honestly, I don’t need to. That’s between you guys. But from where I’m sitting...yeah, that’s what it looks like to me.”

Tommy’s jaw tensed, his thumb still picking at the label on his bottle, but there was a flicker of something softer in his eyes.

Eddie continued, his tone certain now. “Look, man, I get it. This stuff’s messy. But you’re not going to figure it out by sitting here and pretending like it’s over when it’s not. Talk to him. That’s all I’m saying.”

Tommy exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. “Yeah, maybe.”

Eddie leaned back, taking a long drink from his beer. The silence stretched again, but it wasn’t uncomfortable this time.

“Texas, huh?” Tommy said finally, his tone lighter, almost teasing.

Eddie smirked, catching the shift. “Yeah. You want to help me pack?”

Tommy chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re lucky I actually like you, Diaz.”