#tommy loves buck so he'll come around eventually

[cosyvelvetorchid]

Saturday night drabble.

*****

The first time Tommy says 'I love you' he didn't mean to. He absolutely meant it, of course. And he was planning on telling Buck, but he wanted to find the perfect way to do it.

He'd dismissed the 'obvious' ways like a room full of flowers, or a candlelight dinner in an expensive restaurant, etc. For a man who liked romcoms, he wasn't about those cliché gestures in real life.

He was, however, getting rather frustrated at not being able to figure out the perfect way to do it. He was approximately 1-2 business days away from googling 'top 10 ways of telling your partner you love them'.

He had a hard shift. It was one of those rare ones where more people died than survived. The balance of life to death usually tipped in favour of the positive, but every so often, the scale tipped in the other direction.

He was supposed to be going to Bucks after his shift for dinner, but he was too emotionally exhausted to be good company. He texted Buck to apologise and told him he'd make it up to him.

He pulled into his driveway and sat in the car for a few minutes. He'd be okay, he knew that. A hot shower and some good sleep and he'll feel better in the morning.

Eventually, he summoned the energy to get out of the car, grab his bag and walk to the door. Upon opening it he immediately heard noise in his kitchen. He dumped his bag and walked through to find Buck pulling a pot roast out of the oven.

"Hey you." He greeted Tommy with a smile. "You are right on time." He added placing the dish on the table. He removed the oven mitts from his hand and walked over to Tommy, putting hands around his neck and pressing a few chaste kisses onto his lips.

"You didn't have to do this, Evan. I told you I wasn't going to be the greatest company tonight."

"I know. And you don't have to be. I know you've had a rough day, so I just wanted to give you at least one good thing to end the day with." He smiled that gorgeous smile of his that melted Tommy's heart every single time.

It was such a simple and kind gesture, yet it was everything. In the few months they had been dating, he had realised Buck loved small gestures. Bringing him a coffee in bed in the morning or buying a bottle of his favourite shampoo to keep in his bathroom for when Tommy stayed the night. Once Tommy mentioned his grandmother used to make him meatloaf every time he visited her, and the next time he went to Bucks, he'd made it for him.

With Buck it wasn't about the big gestures of love; the romantic restaurants or public displays - it was the small ways he showed his affection for Tommy that told Tommy how he felt every single time.

Buck planted an extra kiss onto Tommy's cheek and went back to finish setting up for dinner. Tommy just watched him for a few moments, happily moving around the kitchen. There was a level of domesticity in it that made him feel warm.

"God, I love you." He said. His lips uttered the words before his brain had a chance to construct the sentence. Buck stood still, turning his head toward Tommy. His eyes were wider, and his lips parted. Almost identical to the look he given when, if Buck was left to tell the story - he'd kissed the language skills out of him.

Buck was taking an age to respond. Tommy felt pulse rise. In reality it was a few seconds. But to Tommy it felt like hours.

"Good. Because I love you too. Now come, sit and eat."

The words flowed out of Buck as though they were the most obvious and natural thing in the world.

Tommy didn't argue and made his way over to the table. He stopped to lift Bucks chin with his two fingers and planted a kiss on his lips before sitting down to eat, all the time thinking how perfect this moment was in the end.

[stvrpst]

One of my many theories for season 8 possible buddie canon outcomes

In my opinion, I think Eddie will come to the realization that he is in love with Buck first instead of the other way around. That also seems the most logical choice in my opinion because, given the nature of the show, I doubt we'll be getting buddie canon immediately. Having said that, there will undoubtedly be some turmoil.

However, I don't think Buck will realize his feelings on his own; rather, I believe something would need to happen for Buck to realize it, which is why I predicted there would be chaos. It wasn't until someone intervened and disrupted Buck and Eddie's dynamic/relationship that Buck began to juggle his unkown feelings for Eddie.

Until something puts Buck and Eddie's relationship and dynamic under strain, he won't realize anything. Right now, Buck still believes he was fighting for Tommy's attention when he really wanted Eddies. For this reason, he decided to start something with the man he THINKS he likes.

We are aware that Eddie's character development arc in season 8 will involve him learning more about himself and past traumas and feelings will start resurfacing. Eddie is therefore more prone to the possible realization.

But back to my original point, though, I think Eddie will suffer a great deal if he discovers he is in love with Buck. He will likely think that it is wrong for him to be in love with his best friend and that Buck probably doesn't like him that way. He may also think that he is a bad friend for having these feelings toward Buck after Buck recently started dating.

Basically just gaslighting himself rather than accepting the fact that he is in love with Buck. Knowing Eddie, though, I get the impression that he will make an effort to ignore and push these emotions under the rug; maybe even find other ways and outlets to cope.

Eddie will experience a wide range of feelings at once, I think this will cause him to start distancing himself from Buck because he'll be feeling too much being around him while also seeing Buck in a new light, which will be overwhelming.

Eddie will believe that separating himself is the only course of action since, as we all know, that man loves running away and ignoring his emotions. I also believe that because he is so very unselfish and doesn't consider himself at all, he will probably be considering Buck in this circumstance and convincing himself that it's probably best for Buck Because he does not want to

 damage what they have or make Buck uncomfortable. This will make Eddie feel isolated. We all know Buck is really the only person Eddie confides in, but now that he feels he can't be near him, he'll feel extremely isolated.

I do believe that Eddie's feelings will eventually be discovered by someone from the 118, so he won't be managing his emotions by himself for the duration of the season.

But Eddie's strange behavior will eventually catch Buck's attention. Confused, he'll wonder, "Why is he ignoring me?" And when he brings up his issue with Maddie or anyone else, they'll probably urge him to just give Eddie some time and space because he's going through a lot.

After a while, Buck notices that Eddie is still not making an effort to talk to him. This causes him to become agitated and upset, and he's like, "Eddies still not fucking talking to me." the 118 will probably reassure him and tell him to give it some more time. And knowing Buck, that man will not give it time at all😭

I believe his emotions will resurface, and he will begin to feel as he did in 7x04, because he is once again vying for Eddie's attention and for Eddie to simply talk to him. Buck's lack of contact and attention from Eddie will lead to feelings of desperation, as well as a sense of rejection. This abrupt shift in Buck and Eddie's relationship and dynamic will be the impetus for Buck to start his pursuit for Eddie's attention.

Now we have the Buck pinning/Divorce period 2.0. Which makes so much sense, because Eddie likes to flee from things and Buck tends to pursue them, and I believe that exactly reflects how they both handle things and why their opposites in that area would produce problems for them. I know some people don't want Buck to be the one chasing after Eddie, but rather the other way around--which would be lovely to see them go against their natural instincts, but I digress.

Because he'll be handling too many emotions to even manage the relationship, Buck's primary focus on getting Eddie to talk to him will probably cause him to neglect Tommy. He will therefore go to Maddie and vent to her about his feelings and dilemma, but I believe that Maddie will just be so fed up with how oblivious her brother is that she'll go "Look, I know I said you'd figure out your feelings in your own time, but I'll just be honest with you because it seems like you won't any time soon."

So now Buck realizes what these feelings towards Eddie means, I do think buck will dump tommy, or so I hope. I really don't want tommy to have a single damn thing to do with Bucks realization. He doesn't deserve that role at all, so he can just leave.

But once buck comes to terms with his feelings I think he'll then immediately pursue Eddie and tell him how he feels, Eddie probably would be hesitant and I think buck would let him know that in order for things to work, Eddie needs to want this. To want Buck, and to allow himself to want and pursue it. Not for anyone, but to want it for himself.

[sevensoulmates]

it's so obvious that tommy has come back to be a plot device in the evolution of bucks character this season, that's his role. He's not meant to be endgame or anything, yup this random dude from Bobby's flashback in S2 is a main characters endgame but it's in S7....like no that would never happen. Tommy is going to play his role as the plot device he is and evolve Buck's character then he will leave, simple as that.

Again, while we do know Tommy is back and will likely be back for at least three episodes (1-2 cruise episodes, episode 4 and possibly episode 6 if the actor's post on IG the other day was indicative of him filming that day), we don't KNOW that he'll be back to be a part of Buck's story. Right now there's a higher chance Tommy will be more closely involved with Chim and/or Hen's storylines.

BUT if he were involved in Buck's storyline I think it would be super fascinating for a myriad of reasons I've already talked about before. But honestly, I think bringing Tommy back would be super interesting for Chim and/or Hen too. And regardless of whose storyline he's a part of, I don't think he'll be sticking around permanently? I mean, maybe, idk the writers plan but at THIS POINT IN TIME, I don't see any indication of that.

Again this is SPECULATION but if the writers did insert Tommy into Buck's storyline as a love interest, I do agree it's probably temporary. Like a casual fling to test the waters of Buck's bisexuality. Because as I've said before if they make Buck bi, there's no way in hell they aren't setting up for eventual buddie. There's no way. I refuse to believe that.

[buckevantommy]

Hey! It's the first time Buck Begins anon from before!! First of all do not feel bad for rambling - that is exactly what that ask was for! I loved hearing your thoughts!

And to answer your question about how I started watching -- 911 was a show always a show on my 'to watch' radar but I didn't give it much thought? I did watch s1 of lone star tho. until then I saw bi Buck on my dash for the first time after Tommy kisses him and i just went oh??!??! 👀👀 I binge watched season 1 and 2, and then I gave up and ended up watching s7 part 2 live while also watching s3 for the first time 🤣 there were some gaps I had to fill using fanon knowledge but I think it worked? And now I'm furiously trying to watch s4 around my busy work schedule before s8 airs 😅🤣

Hasn't stopped my from reading bucktommy fic or posting gifsets tho. Tommy has bewitched me, I love him. Every time I watch a scene where Buck talks about his love life a part of me is just- don't worry, your man is coming

oh! same here! i'd known about it for years but i'd just avoided it thinking it was just a different take on the same old tired procedural cop shows, or maybe something too dramatised like grey's anatomy. i'm not sure i even realised it was about firefighters until i heard people referring to it as 'the gay firefighter show' and even then i didn't really connect the dots.. 🔥👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨🚒

one of my fave spn blogs (bc i was a destiel girlie before the gay firefighter show consumed my life) was a 911 fan so i learned about bi!buck through her blogging (shoutout to @sunglassesmish: kay, you have changed my life for the better 😚🫶). i mean, i came from spn - where bi!dean is widely considered unacknowledged canon and it's a show now several years past its finale but with a dedicated fanbase still hoping for some kind of reboot or movie or something to fix the shit they did in the finale - to a show with a canon bi character, moreover a character in his 30s who had been presumed (by some)/written as (sorta) straight for 6 whole seasons. and evan buckley.. he's so much like dean wincester: the all american heroic ladies man with a traumatic upbringing and a megawatt smile and babygirl features and a heart of gold who just wants to be loved.. honestly i could write essays about these two.. ✍️

i love that we're on the same page! i started with season 7 (i watched 7x05 and onwards live) and got through seasons 1-3 while s7 was airing week to week, and so my buck knowledge was growing as i excitedly waited for the next ep to air with the rest of fandom (there's just something about that weeklong anticipation, i've missed it so much - the theorising, the time for fanworks, etc). 📺

i was also the same, trying to learn what i could through dash osmosis of the seasons i hadn't watched yet (i knew vaguely about the lightning strike and tried not to spoil myself too much about the family secret but reading fic and meta blew those doors wide open 😅). and even in season 1 i was like: i'm so glad he'll grow to be that person in season 7 one day, that he'll get to be vulnerable and open and earnest and loved and also get kissed by a handsome guy. 🥰

OMG WE ARE BOTH ON SEASON 4!! 🥳 i mean, i knew that, but it's still so exciting to know there are folks out there in the same boat! ⛵ i don't think i've liveblogged any other ep besides Buck Begins, but i think i'll probably do a lightning strike/coma liveblog when i get to it.

omg the amount of bucktommy fics i've consumed since april.. i remember in those early days i was consuming every single fic that got posted on ao3 - about a dozen 1k fics a day - until eventually there was 60+ fics a day and i couldn't keep up, but i'm still reading about 2-5 fics (mostly short ones) a day. this fandom is hella talented. 📚

our love for tommy kinard knows no bounds. 🤝💖🤝 and YES- omg- the way he is just craving love and a partner on the same page as him, someone he can be himself with.. lightning boy will meet him flying into a hurricane and i just think that's neat. ⛈️😘

[after-nine-at-the-oasis]

SLFLGJKDS EDDIE

Sir xD

Buck just here like 👁️👄👁️ :)

Bro is literally just vibing xD

Okay that's sweet xD

Sushi lol

"Which you do have to at some point, don't you?" XDD

"Do I 👀?" SLFKFJDKHGS XDD

LOL yeah xD

SIR YOU'D STILL HAVE TO GO HOME EVENTUALLY

SLFLGJDKS Eddie xD

Sir you could just say no lol

ALSFKGJSKHASDL HELP THIS MOMENT KILLED ME

"Not with God watching" "Was He not watching before??" "Yeah, but now I feel like He's got eyes on the ground"

SLFKGJDKDJGHLSK MY GOSH

"I have to break up with her" S I R SLFKFHS

OOPE o.o

SLGKFJS yeah sure that's what they are lol

(didn't even like hear those lines from Eddie first time around xD)

(didn't know exactly why Buck mentioned it at that moment lol)

Okay I already blogged this part but there's bits I missed so let me just:

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

And I'll say any pieces I missed

"Wait, Tommy's gay??" SLFLGJKDS loved that he's so much more shocked by that than Buck being bi xDD (well queer)

AAAAAHHHHHHHHH

I mean on the one hand makes sense it never came up on the other did y'all not talk about relationships at all or something xD

YESSS "Not that it would be a problem" we love Eddie making that clear <333 😭😭😭❤️🥺

Obviously he wasn't not gonna be supportive but yk it's just nice to see :'))

But yeah he doesn't volunteer it but doesn't hide it :))

AWWWWW Buck saying it so confidently now :'DDD AAAHHHHHHH

"Not the same way as you, evidently" SLFLGJDS idiots <33

"This doesn't change a thing between us. Okay?" SOBBING SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP 😭😭😭😭🥺🥺🥺❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰

It's just like. The balance of being surprised and a bit confused but supportive but not overly enthusiastic is just- aUAGH, it's so good <333 😭😭😭❤️

Aww honey :((

His look up at Eddie :'))

SLDKGKDJHS "Wow. That's fast even for you" XDD EDDIE LOL

Not gonna lie I thought he was gonna kinda be like "well then he's an idiot" but this is so best friend XDD love this way more

Also I just love that they can talk about this right after Eddie finding out you know 😭😭❤️ he's just immediately in it :'))

I love them so much you don't understand <33 😭🥺🥺

There's something so sweet about that hmm in context of this scene idk

AUGH I know I mentioned it before but "I kinda can't stop thinking about him" AUAAAGGHHHHHH

Yeahh :'))

SLFKGHDKHS "He doesn't know you're an idiot. Once he gets to know you and knows you're an idiot, he'll love you, like we all do" HELP that's so real though 😭😭😭❤️❤️ xDD

Basically "you make dumb decisions and don't mean them, he needs to know that :)" xDD aww lol

Yesss call him <33 👏👏

Lol yes it is good advice

AWWWW AAAHHHHHHH THE SITTING THERE AND TURN BACK TO HUG HIMMM AND THE "come heree" stoppp I love them so much 😭😭😭

It must be kind of weird to tell your friend to call your mutual friend in a romantic context when you thought were both straight three minutes ago

Not bad just kinda ". . huh" lol

I mean heck I still feel that way xD I'm like AAHHHHH I'm not used to hearing it lol :'D

[surviveds]

he could be called worse - and buck has. stubborn once would've grated at his ego, a lifetime ago; now, buck can't help but feel pride swell in his chest, more than eager to concede the point. he is stubborn. he doesn't give up. it's equally as much a curse as a blessing, but in his line of work - he likes to believe it's more of a positive. and tommy doesn't seem to mind: buck's still working him out, decoding his little smiles and touches, but in the time they've spent together, he's certain he knows him enough to understand it's affection that tommy says the word with.

and he'll take it.

and he'll take all of this, too: every ounce of physical affection he can get. there's the faint sensation of self-consciousness that tugs on his sleeve every now and again in moments like this, like a child desperate for buck's attention - but tommy always matches him in stride, and it's near impossible to concentrate on anything but him: the broadness of his palms, and how completely they engulf buck, the warmth of him as he invites buck closer with a simple touch. he could stay like this forever, he thinks with a smile, and there's a moment where he imagines tommy does come back to the 118, and all the shared touches and looks that'd come on shifts: no more waiting for windows where their schedules miraculously align for days off.

but he knows it wouldn't work. there's most likely some guideline about fraternizing within houses, and he's certain hen or chimney would be more than willing to recite it at every passing glance between them. besides - there is something about the anticipation of seeing tommy again that he likes. there's always the chance they'll encounter another on a call, too, and that always sends a thrill up buck's spine.

that guy's incredible. buck feels his throat tighten, a slight pressure building in his chest that he has to force himself to release: the exhale is sharp, clipped, accompanied by the faint sting that preludes tears. once, disagreement would be instantaneous, mind rebelling against such a heavy compliment, feeling the weight of it immensely; he'd feel undeserving of such praise, especially from a mouth so sweet. but - buck accepts it now: allows it to wash across him like a gentle wave lapping at the shore and he wants nothing more in that moment than to kiss tommy like they do in all the romcoms he loves, messy and needy - but the urge is suppressed, for now, buck instead nodding sheepishly, a silent promise made to ensure he continues to live up to the words: to be worthy of tommy's approval.

"well, i guess we've both helped each other out a bit, then." an understatement. tommy gave buck a piece of himself he hadn't fully realized was missing; its absence is obvious now, looking back, and there's always the possibility he'd have eventually discovered it himself, but he's grateful it was tommy. and it's gratifying to know buck's returned the favor, in some form at least.

"you know," he starts. buck licks his lower lip, slides his hand down tommy's arm until it's circling his wrist again, buck's thumb sensing the pulse that beats there, begins to breathe in rhythm to it. "they're glad to have you around again, too. i bet bobby would love for you to drop by family dinner at the firehouse." buck laughs breathlessly, before proudly adding: "i help him cook these days. if that's any incentive." he doesn't really offer a chance for an immediate answer, however, buck kissing him fully then, softly but with a quiet intensity; his eyes are still closed as he breaks away.

"so... you don't regret it?" he ask, a half-dazed, fully content mumble. buck's not sure why he poses the question now - but it's out now, and his curiosity burns. "leaving the 118, i mean. i guess it was a good thing for you, but... i don't know." his eyes flutter open, focusing lazily on tommy. "sometimes i wonder, you know, if we could've met earlier, if you'd stayed... a lot of what ifs, i guess."

his eyes narrow in on him for a moment,  wondering what he’s up to,  but he’s too amused to do anything but let out a soft chuckle,  entirely endeared by him.   ❝  your friends did say you were stubborn,  ❞   he notes,  speaking casually,  but the corner of his lips curl into a grin again and he can't hold the smile back.  ❝  okay.  I'll budge.  your choice then,  evan.  choose whatever you'd like to see me in. ❞

tommy didn't mean for the emotional shift,  but he learned early on that evan would be someone easy to talk to,  especially about something like this,  so it comes naturally.  his eyes close as he focuses on the warmth of his lips pressed to his jaw,  the smile forming on his lips once more and a soft sigh leaving them as he feels their noses brush.   his eyes open slowly to look back at him,  his hand gently brushing down his arm.  he start to hum,  looking back to him with intrigue.  the way he speaks of the place is beautiful,  and it's something he's still envious of—   because he's never really found something just like that,  even though he's certainly found better than what he's experienced before.  he's happy that buck found it, though—   it's obvious to tommy that it greatly shaped the person he is today,  and there's a reason that tommy was so willing to put his own job at risk based solely on a hunch from hen.   he believes in all of them,  he respects all of them,  and he's glad he could help them bring their captain home. 

 ❝  I'm honored to be a part of that,  ❞   he tells him,  his gaze drifting across buck's features for a moment.   ❝ and I’m glad you are who you are today—   because that guy's incredible.  you feel like home to me, too,  ❞   he says sweetly, thinking back to all of his relationships before—  certainly nothing like this.   he's been out for years now,  but he's never quite had a relationship like this one,  something so real,  like it can last.  he feels honored just to know him,  to be a part of the world that he speaks of so greatly.  it's no wonder buck's friends and family look at him the way they do. 

he lets out a light chuckle,   because it's not entirely realistic.  he can't go back to the station—    but he can be a part of these people's lives in a way that he almost was once upon a time.  nights out with hen, chim, and bobby were special to him, and they played a big role in helping him figure out who he was.  he wonders if buck's lived through the same experience, too.   his hand drags up buck's arm,   fingers burying in his hair as he keeps him close,  the feeling of his nose against his cheek so warm and comforting.  like home, just as he said.    ❝   being with you, evan, it's brought me back to people I'd been away from for far too long, ❞   he admits,  shaking his head slightly,  though not enough to disrupt buck's lean against his head.   ❝  you've already brought me back to the 118,  at least in some way.  I'm grateful for that.  grateful that it's you. ❞