Tommy and the Patience he has for Theo but also a getting back together thing;
Or - Buck falling even more in love with Tommy then he not so subtlety is because of how he interacts with Theo.
The first time Tommy meets Theo is in a parking lot where a large farmer's market is held once every 2 weeks during the summer. It's hot but in a way that feels good to soak up. It's the sound of Evan's voice that breaks him away from some stall selling plants he doesn't need because he kills them all. He looks just as beautifully handsome as he did the last time Tommy saw him. It's the kid practically bouncing at the man's side that draws his attention even more so. It's startlingly- how he can pick out similarities in appearance so quickly. The wavy curls. Brown hair, brighter smile that's running a mile a minute and drawing the eyes of everyone nearby. He looks up at Evan again and the other man looks nervous and tense. They never talked about a kid. Was he babysitting?
Turns out he is very much not babysitting. In the barest amount of detail possible he explains who Theo is and how Evan acquired him after they moved to the side of the stall. It's a tragic story and Tommy's heart goes out to the kid. Of course Theo decides he's bored of the adults talking and makes his presence known by kicking the hard toe of Tommy's boot. ( steel toes so he doesn't feel a damn thing ). Evan opens his mouth to start apologizing immediately- but rather then get irritated by it? Tommy pokes back at Theo's shoe gently. The kid's eyes light up with mischief and before he knows it they've started a battle of dexterity that ends with Tommy waving his hand in surrender. "Okay okay, you win kid!" Theo looks up at Evan with pride and the man is a little astonished at how easily that interaction went. Surprised at Tommy and his willingness to humor the kid in a way that didn't turn into a disaster. Connor and Kameron's voices are a constant shadow in his mind.
The second time Tommy meets Theo is at home depot. He hears them long before he sees them. Evan's soft coos patiently reminding Theo that they're inside and that confuses the boy. Because 6 ( or 8? Who knows..Tommy isn't good at guessing ages ) kid logic says that he can see the sun so they're clearly outside. "Well..he's kind of got you there Evan. It is the garden center." Tommy teases, making his presence known. He gets an eye roll and a pointed look that Tommy only shrugs off with a playful lip quirk.
This time, Theo greets Tommy by name. Loudly. With a wink at Evan he crouches down and says hi in a quiet voice. Very seriously holding his pointer finger up to his lips. This earns him a head tilt from Theo and Evan stands there, amused and fond as Tommy explains that the plants have to concentrate. Because growing takes alot of energy and focus right? Tommy answers every question he can while they shop together and when he gets an answer wrong? Evan playfully corrects him with his vast trivia knowledge on the subject of plants. At the end of the encounter? Evan leaves with the vegetable plants he decided to turn into a project this summer for him and Theo, and a few butterflies in his stomach. Theo talks to the plants in the back of the truck every once in a while on the drive home despite the fact that they cant hear him. Asking how fast they can grow because now? He's excited and can't wait to show his new friend how much the plants grew next time he sees him. While Tommy, goes home with flowers for the bed he's been neglecting in front of his house and the invite of lunch at Evan's new place Saturday.
Theo of course, very enthusiastically shows Tommy how much the plants have grown when he comes over. They haven't grown at all - of course. But Tommy oo's and aa's at all the right moments. It turns into Theo showing him everything he can about his toys, the jungle gym or swing set that Evan's got set up in the yard now, and the house itself. All while Evan watches and listens from the kitchen. He can't say that he's not a little sad he isn't the full focus of Tommy's attention right now. Because he missed the guy okay? But he LOVES that Theo has taken to Tommy like a fish to water..and that Tommy has the patience to handle Theo's endless amounts of energy.
Of course, eventually a full tummy and a Disney movie sends Theo into a nap to replenish his energy. Evan and Tommy talk in whispers while Theo sleeps against the man's side beneath his favorite blanket. One he came with to Evan. It's green and has different color and frankly goofy looking elephants on it. Which Theo was happy to tell Tommy all about because they're his favorite obviously. Evan explains in far more detail about how he met Theo and the conversations he's had along the way with both his friends and the 118 gang. Admitting out loud for the first time that yeah - he's still upset about a sort of...blame being ushered onto him for Theo's personality type. His eyes glisten with guilt because Connor and Kameron are gone. They were just overwhelmed parents struggling to raise a kid that didn't run on the same wavelength as them. He's different - and..Tommy asks if that's such a bad thing.
Evan gives him an exasperated look and a self deprecating response in reply. Clearly, it was a struggle and what if Theo grows to be like him? Always trying to fit himself into different molds because he's to much. To loud. To talkative. To...emotional?
Tommy's smile is understanding and his touch is hesitant before he's laying his hand on Evan's knee. "So don't teach him that he has to pretend to be anything but himself. You shouldn't of had to be anything but yourself either."
Evan goes to laugh, to maybe bitterly remind Tommy how great his life has been every time he lets his true self show. Hell - they broke up because his emotions and mouth moved faster then his stupid brain remember?
"We broke up because..I freaked out. Ironically, for similar insecurities. I was afraid that..you'd see all of me and that at some point? You wouldn't like what you saw and at that point? I was already in love with you. Crazy right? 6 months and I was in love with you so bad I was pulling my hair out every time I didn't get to see you in a 24 hour period. I was so in love with you that I wanted everything and..I hurt us both instead. Then I took your words in that kitchen to heart instead of really - hearing you. I shut -- "
Evan shuts him up with a kiss. Tommy tells him he's still in love with him when Evan asks. They both quietly apologize for the way they responded and the things they said while Theo snoozes away. Evan reminds him that - if they're going to do this..REALLY do this? Then Tommy has to be ready to at least be around Theo. They're kind of a package deal now. He's not asking for Tommy to be a dad, no. Evan's still coming to terms with the fact he's becoming a parental figure to this kid himself. But Theo will get attatched. Tommy just smiles, eyes glistening with unshed tears of joy and says - "Yeah of course. Besides..Theo is just the tiny version of all the peices of you that I love." It turns into Evan waving Tommy off while being pink in the face as the pilot defends his statement. He's excitable. Eager to show off his knowledge. Curious. Adorable. They promise to talk about everything soon. About their baggage, their boundaries, their future, etc.
The next time Tommy sees Theo? He's picking him up from school for Evan. The kid is crying and clearly having a break down of some sort. Turns out it's over one of his toys that Evan bought him. Another kid played to rough with it during free time and broke it. Theo, unable to understand how this could happen because he did the right thing and nicely shared? Is beside himself with anguish. It takes half an hour to calm Theo down enough in the parking lot for them to get settled in his truck. All the while staff members and kids on the playground bore witness to this. Judgemental in a way that comes from loud noises and disruptive - imperfect behavior. He's grateful Theo doesn't seem to notice at least. He settles Theo into the car seat he stopped at the 118 to retrieve from Evan's truck. The kid is suckered out and falls asleep minutes into the quiet drive. He really shouldn't - mostly because he isn't sure if it's okay to spoil the kid or not? But he wakes Theo gently when they get to Walmart and carries the sleepy kid inside and through the store. His blanket pulled up to Theo's shoulders to somewhat block the world out as he tiredly blinks at his surroundings from where he has his head on Tommy's shoulder. It isn't until they get to the toy aisle that Theo perks up. Tommy leaves the store with another toy and a happier Theo. He haphazardly attempts to patch up the elephant at home and it's not pretty? But Evan smiles at a very happy Theo when he comes by to pick him up. He gets a kiss on the lips and about a dozen thanks you. All of which Tommy tries to gently wave off. "It's not problem honestly. We ended up having a good afternoon right kid?"
"This one is named spot!!" Is the reply. His new plush toy has speckles of course.
It's been almost six months, and Tommy finds himself being a stand in jungle gym at Theo's birthday party. They're both wearing green pointy hats, because that's Theo's favorite color and they have to match. Evan watches from the grill where he's manning it with Ravi. There's been alot of ups and downs. Some days are overwhelming and so hard that he'd wanted to cry. There have been moments where Theo expressed his big emotions by breaking things or throwing something. Days where he couldn't sleep from nightmares. Mornings where he cried in refusal to go to school. Where he was overstimulated and done with the general public. Moments that tested patience to the brink. But all throughout Tommy has been a sturdy rock. Even when it was evident that he was out of his depth and frustrated. He's continued to prove that Theo doesn't necessarily has to change. Even when this kid is pulling at his curls to show him their hair is the same. Or patting him a little to hard on the face to get his attention. Patience does go a long way. Same as understanding and it's helped with teaching Theo new ways to interact with the word without scolding him into submission. He's properly diognosed. He's got a therapist. He has a stable home and two ( sort of on Tommy's part. They haven't head the big d-a-d word from Theo for him yet ) parental like figures. The experience has helped them grow closer as a finally labeled couple as well. Because Tommy sees between the cracks in Evan's walls. He hears him better now. See's what Evan really means when he reacts. At the same time, it gives Evan an insight into Tommy's past. They've had many an opportunity to talk about it when the moment arises. Overall? The domestic life has settled so deeply into their bones that neither of them could see themselves being anywhere else. Evan smiles as Theo screams across the yard about how high up he is. Hanging from Tommy's bicep. Tommy kindly reminds him to 'watch where you're putting those legs kiddo.' when his limbs flail to close to someone else. Life goes on and it's good again.
kianamaiart
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