I was told there would be cake

Early dating Bucktommy, my beloved! @bucktommyfluffebruary

So Buck's plan to lay down and make out with Tommy had fallen through the window the minute they had both as much as touched down on the mattress of Tommy's bed. The weariness had caught up to them seeped through them and lulled them to sleep pretty much instantly.

It was not quite what Buck had had in mind when being in Tommy's bed for the very first time, but neither of them had expected the adventure of chasing down a groom with temporary memory loss or fighting a beast of a fire, nor was he surprised.

He also had not expected to pretty much maul his date with his mouth the moment he had seen him show up all sooty in his turn-outs, but hey. Sometimes his body acted before his brain, and in this particular case, he had seen Tommy and he had wanted.

Waking up in his bed was a thrill in itself. It was like he was surrounded by everything Tommy. The pillow, the blanket… everything smelled like him, and it was intoxicating and Buck couldn't help but to bury his nose into the pillow, just to breathe in the scent. God, he could get used to this!

He patted the space behind him, searching for the man in question, and frowned when he discovered that it was empty. Turned in his comfortable cocoon to confirm the fact. Grumbling, he buries his face into Tommy's pillow instead and only looks up when he hears the soft padding of feet entering the bedroom.

Tommy looks at him with an expression he could only describe as fond. He looks so damn good, too, in his tank top and sweat pants. "Should I leave you and my pillow alone?" He muses and Buck grins and hugs the pillow closer to his chest.

"I don't know. It doesn't seem as eager to abandon me."

Tommy huffs in mock offense and strides over, crawling over the mattress to pry the offending cushion away from Buck's grip.

"Bet it doesn't kiss as well as I do." He slides right into Buck's space, and Buck marvels at how incredibly warm he feels. Shuffles closer to slide an arm around his waist as Tommy draws him nearer.

"Yeah? Maybe we should test that theory."

Tommy smiles softly and leans in to press his lips on his. It's a sweet and tentative kiss, but it's enough to make Buck's toes curl in delight and the butterflies erupting inside his chest. "Mmh, yeah, I think we definitely have a winner," he concludes, and Tommy laughs and kisses the corner of his lips, his hand lazily stroking Buck's back. It's nowhere near what Buck is used to when it comes to cuddling, but he finally gets why his past girlfriends enjoyed being held by a pair of strong arms.

It's all so very new. They have only shared a few kisses up until now, and now Buck was bundled up, all warm and comfortable in Tommy's bed, and Tommy's hand was sneaking beneath Buck's t-shirt and Tommy's lips was touching his forehead and Tommy Tommy Tommy Tommy, Buck's brain screamed out as he nuzzles his way to the crook of Tommy's neck to breathe him in and just enjoy his presence.

I had a long day (not stressful, just busy)

So maybe one of Buck or Tommy had a busy shift and the other shows up for a planned date and they decide to stay in instead

CHEMMY!! I'm sorry for the delay! I hope your day got better in the end! If not, I hope this will make it a lil bit better! Also on ao3

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"Evan—"

Tommy doesn't get much of a chance to form an apology, because his lips are being occupied with the sweetness of Evan's pressing against them. Soft. Lingering. Sweet. Unhurried and relaxing, because it's enough for Tommy to let his shoulders sag and his arm to move on its own to pull Evan closer by winding it around his waist to welcome his presence and take him all in. Just like that, the apology disappears from his mind and Evan pulls away, but remains close with his palm cradling Tommy's jaw as he looks at him with more adoration than he deserves for forgetting about date night.

It hadn't even crossed his mind that they were supposed to go out tonight. The shift he had been on had been one of the most hellish ones, the kind that would form a permanent dent inside his brain for him to suffer through on the really hard days of his life, for the rest of his life. He had gotten home afterwards. Showered, put on a pair of sweats and a tank-top to feel miserable in front of the TV when he had heard the knock on his door and then stood eye-to-eye with none other than Evan, with a wordless reminder of what he had done. What he hadn't done, which was to show up and have dinner with Evan.

"If you try to apologize, I'll— well, I'm not gonna kick your ass, but I'll do something menacing," Evan says before Tommy has the chance to open his mouth again to, yes, apologize. Because Evan at the very least deserves to be groveled, and Tommy is in a pathetic groveling mood.

"I heard about the call," Evan then says, stepping out of Tommy's space to lift up a bag with what looks like take-out food from one of their favorite places. "That must have been— your head is probably swimming with it right now, so I, uh… I went ahead and canceled the reservation. Figured you wouldn't be in the right head space to go out, so I decided to bring the date over here instead. Or dinner. I, uh… I can just leave it here if you'd prefer to be alone. I-I'm not gonna hold it against you if that's what you want."

And, well. What was Tommy supposed to say to that? What was he even supposed to think after processing what Evan had just said? That he understood? Which, of course he did. That made sense. It was a benefit to dating another firefighter. Someone who got it. Who knew exactly what it was like to come home after such a rough scene. He remembers dating some other guy who had only complained when Tommy couldn't make enough time for him, or when he wasn't in the right headspace to go out.

And here was Evan. Evan who had canceled their reservation after hearing about his shift. Evan who had still taken his time to order them food and had driven all the way to Tommy's place and still offered to leave because he understood.

Tommy wanted to cry. Felt the terrible sting threatening his eyes and didn't allow them to go further than that, so he felt his lips smile, too as he tugged Evan back into his space, wrapped his arms around him and buried his face to the crook of his neck.

"Of course I want you to stay," he murmurs against his neck, planting a kiss against his skin there. "Just be aware, I am feeling awfully clingy," he warns. Squeezes his boyfriend tighter to prove the point, and all it earns him is a soft laughter rumbling pleasantly close to his ear.

"Oh no, being wrapped up in your strong, biceppy arms? How absolutely awful!" Evan kisses his cheek and pulls away and he's smiling and Tommy's heart dances happily. "So, food and a movie of your choice?"

"Think you can handle a rom-com without falling asleep?" Tommy challenges.

"I'll give my damnedest."

In which Tommy found out what happened in New Mexico and has to see Buck about it

PART 2

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"Tommy?"

The insistent knocking on his door had startled Buck, much like anything else these days. He wasn't usually the jumpy kind of guy, but after recent events… every sound felt like danger lurking, and he suddenly couldn't be careful enough in contrast to his typical firefighter instinct of running off all rational thoughts.

He had paused by the door first. Contemplated on whether he should open it or not. It hadn't been that long ago since Maddie had left, and he knew the rest of his team was on shift. The knock came again. Less insistent this time, as if the person on the other side had felt Buck's anxiousness, and it helped. Still on edge, Buck had inhaled slowly, and exhaled in the same pace before opening the door slightly ajar. Just in case.

Tommy had been the very last person he had expected to see upon opening the door.

Tommy looked just as breathless as Buck did in that moment. Looked as surprised, as if he hadn't expected to see Buck. Then tension seemed to seep out of him, and the man looked more relieved with the mixture of concern written all over his face. It was a look Buck had seen before, when Tommy had rushed to the hospital after he had dislocated his shoulder.

Had he rushed here?

"Evan--"

"What are you—"

They speak at the same time, and both stop at the realization, both ducking their heads before Buck opens the door further to invite the unexpected guest into his home.

"You knew my address?" He realizes as Tommy steps inside, eyes never leaving Buck's.

"I got it from Ravi," Tommy says, just as breathlessly as he had uttered Buck's name just a second ago. "I met Colbert from your B-shift at the store on my way home from my shift and he told me what happened. That you—" he let out a shuddered breath. "I- I had to see you. See with my own eyes that you're— that you're not—"

The words dies on his lips, and Buck realizes that he's shaking. Tommy, the ex who had been a constant in his brain since their first met, who he hadn't seen since Bobby's funeral, had come all the way here— no, had rushed all the way from the store the moment he had learned about what had happened.

His brave pilot, who had been so confident flying while being chased by the FBI, was standing there in Buck's hallway. Shaking and on the verge of tears.

For Buck.

And for you.

The words echoes inside Buck's head. A reminder of a truth he had not avoided, but neglected to acknowledge until this very moment when the truth was presenting itself in wordless certainty and in the form of Tommy Kinard.

It's like he's been hit by a truck again. Except, this time the impact doesn't send him flying, but instead something erupts inside of him. A whirlwind of emotions roaming through him and reveals the yearning he's been keeping subdued for far too long.

One look at Tommy, and it's been released. His heart is aching to be near him, his soul longing to be entwined with his, and Buck just wants.

And he's staring, he realizes. Staring at the beautiful man looking back at him and now looking uncertain, as if he's crossed a line.

"I know I don't have the right to just… come here and— I tried to call," Tommy goes on, filling the silence of processing from Buck's end, and it's enough to snap him out of it.

"I-I'm glad you did come here. My phone hasn't been of much use since it got smashed to pieces," Buck says sheepishly. He tries to smile, but even that still hurts, and that doesn't seem to go unnoticed by Tommy.

"Christ, Evan…"

"Y-yeah, I've looked better. Felt better, too," he admits, and then— "I mean it, Tommy. I'm glad you're here." He takes a careful step towards his ex and boldly lifts his hand to cup Tommy's jaw sweetly in reassurance. "A-and I'm okay."

He wasn't okay, but he was here and he was alive, and that seems to be enough to conjure up a noise coming from the depth of Tommy's throat as he nuzzles his face into Buck's palm. "I really want to hold you right now." His voice sounds muffled and heavy and devastated and relieved against the skin of Buck's palm, and Buck knows he's searching for permission, so he doesn't respond with words, but instead steps right into Tommy's space to get engulfed by his arms, and oh.

He had feared being held again after everything that had happened in New Mexico. A sudden noise can send him flying, but a touch feels like being prickled by a thousand thorns embedding into his skin, whether it is a gentle hand on his arm or a reassuring touch of fingertips from his sister. Tommy had searched for his permission, and with Buck giving it to him freely, while longing to be held by his arms again, it feels as home as it feels overwhelming when the senses takes over him. The faint, familiar scent of Tommy's cologne feels nostalgic in a way that makes him think back to when Tommy had had an arm wrapped around Buck and laughed loudly at something Eddie had said back in their early days of dating. He remembers fondly how much he appreciated the scent, and how his laugh had sounded and it sends his heart dancing.

Then it's Tommy's arms. Strong, but ever so mindful of all of Buck's injuries despite not knowing the details. They're warm, too.

What comforts him the most is the sound of Tommy breathing. The way ragged little puffs of air hits the skin of the side of his neck reminds him that Tommy had been scared for him, that he had come all the way here just to know that he was okay.

Even after all this time.

Buck buries his face to Tommy's neck and inhales, and he feels the other man doing the same, as if taking in the moment to make sure it's real. A hand— Buck's hand, grasps the collar of Tommy's shirt gently, as if to keep him there, and Tommy just understands and presses a gentle, lingering kiss onto his birthmark.

"I'm not going anywhere," says his voice, rough and muffled and Buck smiles and pulls away, his hand remaining on Tommy's collar.

"You came all the way here," he says in awe.

"Not by helicopter, I'm afraid." Buck's smile widens, despite the pain, because, oh, how he'd missed him and his typical dead-pan humor.

Tommy delivered on his statement. He did not go anywhere that night. He stayed, and Buck made tea and they sat on the couch and talked until late became early and Tommy brought in the duffel bag that was still in his truck from his shift so he could spend the night.

They didn't talk about them, but they caught up on all the things that had happened in their lives. Buck learned that Tommy had started remodeling his kitchen, and Buck in turn told him about his baking habits and about the Stich and Bitch club he attended every so often. Intrigued, Tommy smiled widely at this and prompted Buck to tell him more. So Buck did.

They slipped into bed wordlessly after a few hours of cold, forgotten tea and knees knocking against each other where they'd been sitting facing each other on the couch. Tommy took the same side of the bed he always had back at the loft, almost like a habit of his. Neither said a word as they slipped under the covers, but he could swear he'd heard Tommy's breath hitch as he changed into something comfortable to wear for bed where his bandage and more yellowing bruises were revealed. He didn't say anything. Just wordlessly opened his arms to invite Buck right into them, right where Buck felt safe.

So Buck indulges, of course. Carefully shuffles his way into his space and buries his nose to the nape of his neck and inhales as he slips an arm around Tommy's waist to ensure himself that he was really here.That this isn't a dream or something he's conjured up like some kind of manifestation of want.

It doesn't take away from the fact that he is having a hard time falling asleep, or that he is afraid to fall asleep. Because what if he wakes up there again? In a bed of a stranger's home, dressed in a strangers pajamas?

The thought of someone removing his clothes and dressing him in new ones while he was unconscious makes his skin crawl. Makes his body tense in a way that startles Tommy awake, because he has fallen asleep at some point. It doesn't surprise Buck, since he had been on his way home from a shift and had been awake for hours up until they had gone to bed.

"Can't sleep?" Tommy's voice is heavy with sleepiness, and yet filled with so much fondness and concern that Buck feels close to tears.

"Haven't been able to for a while," he confesses. Tommy hums sleepily and caresses Buck's bruised face with so much tenderness.

"Anything I can do?"

Buck closes his eyes and lets himself enjoy the touch for a brief moment. "Just be here." His words comes out in a whispering plea, followed by a sniffle. It earns him a lingering kiss on his forehead.

"Of course."

---

Read Part 1 HERE

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"Are you seeing anyone?"

The question sounds so casual and comes so unexpectedly that Tommy needs to pause drinking his coffee mid-sip just to stare at Evan over the rim of the coffee mug cradled in his hands. He huffs out a little laugh and puts his mug back onto the table, all while Evan looks back at him, expecting an answer and holding onto his own cup between his still bruised hands.

"What?"

"I just spent the night in your bed, Evan," Tommy reminds him.

"So you're not—?"

"I'm not." He wrinkles his nose. "Now, if you had asked the question about two weeks ago, my answer would have been different."

He watches as Evan lifts his own mug to sip on his coffee with a little humming sound. Probably processing the answer, and then puts his mug back, but cradling it more tightly. "So, uh… what happened?"

Tommy shrugs. "Didn't work out."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It was probably for the best."

"So what did he do? Ask you to move in?"

Tommy can't help himself as his lips tugs into a little smile. It's great that Evan feels that he can joke about it, even after all this time with very minimum contact between them, even if it does tug on his heart a little.

"Worse."

"Don't tell me he—"

"No. It wasn't like that," Tommy assures him before taking a deep breath and cradling his mug between his hands again, his fingertips rubbing against each other to fidget with something before he opens his mouth to speak again. "It wasn't anything he did. More like… he seemed to be under the impression that I wasn't over my ex."

He glances over at Evan, which feels like a bold move after such a statement, but Evan doesn't give much of an indication that he's surprised by this. He remains still and offers a little "Oh," and then: "How's that worse?"

Tommy stares down at his mug again. As much as he wants to explain to Evan that being told that by someone he was dating had felt like a slap in his face when he was doing everything in his power to try to move on with this guy, he felt like it would be better to keep that bit of information to himself.

"It's complicated," he says instead, ready to end the topic right there before he doesn't something stupid, like walk out on Evan for the third time, which is the very last thing he wants.

"Because you love me."

Another statement, and it comes out of Evan's mouth so easily. Not questioning. Not accusingly. Just lays is all out there as a fact, as if the words aren't hitting Tommy so hard in the element of surprise of it all and making him startle and damn near drop his mug.

"I— Evan."

"Am I wrong?"

This wasn't where he had expected the conversation to go. Which he shouldn't really feel all that surprised about when all their conversations seems to lead to some sort of pattern where they either get hurt or caught off guard. Except, this time, Evan seems to be unreasonably calm, even settled as he looks back at Tommy with a soft gaze.

Tommy needs a moment. Takes a moment to inhale and exhale before he dares to meet Evan's gaze again. "It's not like it's a secret."

And Evan smiles. Still remains on his spot, but he smiles. "I suppose not."

It's out there now, and Tommy still feels a bit panicky about it. Evan, however, remains calm. Reaches out a hand to pry one of Tommy's off of his coffee mug to give his fingers a gentle squeeze between his own, and Tommy lets him. Uses the pad of his thumb to brush it over Evan's knuckles sweetly and revels in the moment that's just between them.

"So, if you're single and I am single…" Evan starts, and Tommy swallows.

"Evan—"

"Tommy."

"Are we really doing this now?"

"If not now, when? Are we just gonna wait another year, when another big disaster hits one of us? I don't want that, Tommy."

Tommy wrinkles his nose again. Gives Evan's fingers another squeeze before he releases them to grab hold of his mug instead. At least he hasn't moved out of his chair or made an attempt to walk out. Progress. "It's like you said. It's been over a year," he agrees.

"And you love me."

"You make it all sound so easy, Evan," Tommy sighs.

"I know this isn't easy, Tommy," Evan insists. "A--and guess what? Maybe I'm done with easy. Maybe I for once just don't want to feel miserable anymore. And, hey, if that's not what you want, t-then that's fine, too. I'm not gonna sit here and demand anything from you. I'm just telling you what I want."

"That's kind of the problem," Tommy points out. He shuffles his feet under his seat, itching to get up and give himself some space.

"H-how is that a problem?"

That's when Tommy gets up from his seat. Strides away to the other side of the room, just to create some distance, and Evan immediately turns around in his chair to face him, and he looks downright miserable. God, how Tommy hates that.

"Try to be in my shoes for a bit," he starts after a short moment. "Evan— it's been a year. More than that. We haven't— I wanted nothing more than to reach out to you, even when I didn't have the right to. Especially after everything— but I gave you space. Then I heard nothing. For months, there was nothing. I didn't come over here last night expecting anything. I wanted to make sure you were okay, and— and you're right. I do love you. I never stopped. But, Evan— Evan, it's not as simple as that. You learn that I'm single and suddenly it's like I'm up for grabs for you. Like these months of silence is nothing. You tell me how I feel for you, then all I hear about is what you want. And I want it too, Evan, I do. I want nothing more than to just… be us again. It's all I've wanted ever since I walked out on you from your loft."

"So what's the problem?" Evan gets up from his seat and grips his side the next moment from moving too fast. Tommy is right in his space the moment he sees it, immediately guiding Evan back to his chair before he causes further harm to himself. Maybe it wasn't the best time to have this conversation.

"Are you ok—"

"No! No, I'm not, a-and I haven't been for a long time, and that's not relevant right now. Explain it to me, Tommy. W-we both want the same thing, so what's the problem? Why can't we just be together?"

"Did you take your pain meds?"

"Tommy."

Tommy closes his eyes and tilts his head up to face the ceiling. It would be so easy to just sweep everything under the rug and go for it. To kiss Evan and be his again and just let them be them the way they used to.

But it's not that easy. There is so much to unpack between them, and in order for them to even go as far as to take that next step, there is something Tommy needs to know first.

He squats down in front of Evan. Tilts his head forward until is forehead hits Evan's kneecap. It was a thing he used to do back when they were dating after a rough day to seek some sort of comfort or simple affection. Something Evan always seemed to enjoy, and seemed to do now as Tommy felt his fingers dig into his curls to touch them tenderly. It's enough to help Tommy ground himself a little for what is about to come next.

"Do you love me?"

He feels Evan's fingers still in his hair. Hears his breathing hitch, and for a moment, Tommy fears that he's done it. That he's the one who's scared Evan away this time by a single question. Fears that Evan will withdraw his hand and dismiss him.

He does withdraw his hand, and Tommy's heart stills.

Then a gentle hand cradles his chin, guiding his head up and forcing Tommy to look right at Evan.

"H-have I not made that clear?" His eyebrows is furrowed together in confusion as he asks the question.

"All I heard you say was what you wanted. None of that indicated what you are feeling."

"Oh."

Tommy scrambles to get back up on his feet. He doesn't get very far as Evan suddenly gets up and kicks the chair away, only to squat down in level with Tommy.

"Evan! Your ribs—"

"Of course I love you."

"Please get back to your chair," Tommy pleads.

"Did you hear me?"

"I heard you. Evan, please—"

"I am trying to have a moment with you."

Tommy laughs softly and pulls Evan up along with him carefully. "And that's very sweet of you, but I'd rather it not be at the expense of your pain."

"I love you", Evan whines petulantly, adorable pout included. Tommy leans in and kisses him softly.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Back to the chair, Evan."

"The couch."

"Or that." Tommy muses and leads Evan over to the couch, gently guiding him to sit down before joining him there. His head is swimming with all sorts of emotions right now, but a big part of him feels so much lighter than it had just a moment ago when he had been living in the unknown.

It still doesn't make it easy. None of it will be, but at least it's a step towards something.

"So", Evan begins as they are seated and comfortable. "Are you seeing someone?"

Tommy grins.

"Yes, I am."

---

It's been 84 years since I first started this fic, and guys... it is finally here. A 4k long one-shot filled with mutual pining between exes in a fake relationship because Buck's parents are coming to town 👀

I hope you will all enjoy it!

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"So… my parents are coming over this weekend."

Tommy stops eating his toast mid-chew and regards Buck curiously before swallowing it down. "That's reasonable, I suppose," he finally says and grabs the napkin Buck hands over to him to wipe some crumbs off of his face. It's such a small, domestic thing that has become so natural between them since Tommy first moved into his house. It ignites something in Buck that he chooses to ignore for now.

"It's just for one night", Buck assures him hurriedly. "You know, this is my first house, and—"

"It's okay, Evan. I understand," Tommy says softly. "Just tell me what time and I'll be out of your hair—"

For @bucktommyfluffebruary

"You hate it."

Tommy couldn't blame Evan for hating it. It wasn't perfect. It was a house. Functional. Three bedrooms besides the primary one. Maybe too big for two people, but perfect for whenever they wanted and needed their own space. Tommy could easily use one of the rooms to build and keeps his collections of model planes and cars, and Evan could use one of the rooms as an office.

There were plenty of possibilities for a few start even though it didn't quite feel like home.

"It's not bad…" Evan's frown betrays his own words as he glances around the kitchen.

"You almost sounded convincing there," Tommy deadpans, which earns him a glare from his boyfriend. "This is the ninth house we've checked out, Evan. We're not gonna find the perfect one on the go."

"And maybe that's the problem," Evan says, turning to face Tommy, who stares back at him in confusion. "Maybe we won't ever find it, because we're looking past the big picture here."

Tommy has learned by now not to jump to conclusions when Evan blurts things out like that, but that doesn't mean his brain isn't going to jump to the worst conclusions or that his heart isn't going to drop to the pit of his stomach and his throat isn't going to feel like it's closing up because it's all suddenly too much to bear to know what Evan could possibly mean by that.

He can't bear himself to ask. Can't find his voice to do so, so he turns around swiftly to look at anything but Evan as the house he's staring at crumbles inside his head with the wrecking ball of fear and doubt.

They had decided to take a new chance on this relationship. To start a new and Tommy had finally, finally been ready. Has asked the question if Evan was still interested in living together. The answer had been an immediate, enthusiastic yes, followed by him asking Tommy if he was absolutely sure that he was ready.

There was no doubt in Tommy's mind that he was ready. He knew he wanted this. Wanted a life with Evan, so they had started looking up houses. Somewhere in Tommy's mind, he knew Evan hadn't been so into the idea as he himself had been. Evan was always so uncharacteristically quiet during the appointed house tours, so Tommy had been the one to ask the proper questions while Evan had come with an input every now and then.

Maybe he had been right all along.

Maybe Evan hadn't been ready. Wasn't ready.

"Hey… Tommy?" He doesn't turn around. Isn't quite ready to face whatever devastating thing Evan is about to say next.

"You're right," he hear himself say, voice strangely calm. "We might as well give up on the whole thing."

"What? Tommy, that's no—"

Tommy's feet are already moving like the traitors they are, and Tommy follows along. Old habits die hard and all, he thinks bitterly and makes it to the door as he feels Evan's hand gripping his wrist gently.

"Tommy."

Tommy's feet comes into a halt, but he remains facing the door. Closes his eyes for a moment as he inhales and exhales.

"Tommy, what's happening right now? What do you mean, you wanna give up?"

"What do I—" He finally turns to face his boyfriend. It turns out to be a big mistake, because the man, the love of his life, looks as devastated as he himself feels, and he hates that. Hates knowing that he's the one who caused that look on his face. Again.

It's a never-ending pattern with them, isn't it? Words comes out, conclusions are being jumped into, and Tommy knows he should know better.

He had entered this new chance with Evan with the intention to fight for them. He wasn't about to give up now.

"I'm sorry, Evan." His hand reaches out to touch Evan's cheek, and Evan leans into the touch. "I— I think I have been more into this whole house-hunting thing than you have, so hearing you say we probably won't ever find it made me think—" he sucks in a breath and exhales again. "Maybe I'm the one rushing this time."

"What? No!" Evan's grip on Tommy's wrist tightens and he even presses a kiss on top of his knuckles. "Tommy. I-I get what it might have sounded like. I, uh… y-you were right, about me not being as much into the house hunting, but not for the reason you think," he adds hurriedly. "Tommy, I want this with you. I-I want to wake up next to you every day. I want to do the dishes with you, have silly arguments about leaving wet towels on the floor, or not wiping the toothpaste off the sink—"

"That's oddly specific."

"—and we already have those things, Tommy. Every moment with you. Every moment staying at your house. I-I know we said we're starting a new page, but not everything has to be new. Y-you love your house. I've seen it. I can feel it with every fiber of my being. I, uh… I didn't think moving in together would mean finding a new place. I like yours. U-unless you feel like I am taking up space, I-in that case, maybe we—"

Tommy doesn't let Evan finish that sentence. Can't bring himself to hear more about how he is taking up space when he's been doing the complete opposite, so he silences him by kissing him until he feels his words dying on Tommy's lips and Evan shuffle closer into his embrace.

Evan looks as breathless as he had the first time he had kissed him when he pulls away, but more relaxed and a bit more flushed.

"I-I should have said something," he murmurs, and Tommy finds himself chuckling.

"I should have asked what you wanted," he shrugs. "Evan. Of course you're not taking up space. I want you there. I want to wake up next to you, go to sleep next to you. Have stupid arguments about little things, like not tying up the trash bags properly—"

"That's oddly specific."

"So let's forget about finding a new house. Let's go get your stuff and get you moved in."

"A-are you sure that's what you want?"

For @bucktommyfluffebruary

"Did you go sightseeing yet? How's the water? Or is it too cold to swim?"

The questions are many and too existent for Tommy's liking, especially early in the… some time pm. He doesn't know, and he doesn't care. That had been the whole point of this trip. He buries his face deep into the pillow. Moves his shin slightly to the side to nudge it against Evan's thigh. Evan, who is awake and sitting on the edge of the bed and already breaking one of their rules. Evan, whose free hand gently curls around Tommy's ankle to acknowledge him while not breaking eye-contact with Maddie and Chimney the screen of his phone.

"We, uh… haven't had the time to go sightseeing. Or swim," Evan says, and Tommy nudges him again with his ankle, toe digging into the skin of his bare thigh peeking underneath the cover. Too damn right they haven't gone sightseeing or go swimming yet. They haven't left the bed since they've arrived here unless it was absolutely necessary. That had also been the point of this trip. No stressing. No thinking of the outside world. Just the two of them being in each other and each other's presence, and that had worked out just fine up until the rude awakening.

"Haven't had the time? What on earth have you two been up to for two days?" Howie laughs on the screen. You have two kids. You figure that out Tommy thinks bitchily, because he's tired and his fiance is currently not where he should be.

"Uh… you know. Stuff."

"Been called worse things," Tommy mutters, voice muffled against the plush pillow. He angles his ankle a little, lifting it to lay it on top of Evan's lap and making sure it stays out of camera view for the other couple. It earns him the feeling of Evan's fingernails scraping gently over his skin as he runs his fingers over his ankle.

Tommy loved Howie and Maddie. Adored spending time with them whenever he had the chance, but they seemed as clueless as any as they kept asking questions and Howie kept on talking about work, all while Evan listened and added commentary, and that's where Tommy drew the line.

Feeling more alert now when his sleep had been disrupted and Evan still wasn't hanging up, he decided to take matters into his own hands. Shuffled his ankle away from Evan's grip gently as he sat up and leaned against the headboard and pressed his finger against his lips as Evan glanced his way.

"Honey," he then said loudly enough for the couple to hear. "Did we run out of strawberry lube already? I could have sworn we had enough."

There is a satisfying jumble of gasps and groans coming from the other end of the phone, and Tommy laughs heartily— can't really help himself even as Evan flushes adorably and ducks his head and sneaks Tommy a warning glance that does nothing to hit the break on Tommy's mischievous smile.

"We did not need to hear that," Howie complains, and Tommy shuffles his way over to Evan, plastering himself over his back and hooks his chin on top of Evan's bare shoulder.

"That's what you get for calling us in the middle of our vacation," he scolds them lightly. "Now, if you don't mind, our break is over, and I intend to thoroughly enjoy your brother—"

"Say no more!" Maddie laughs. "Just… be careful. Safe! Be safe. Have fun!"

The call ended there, and Evan turned around to face Tommy, eyebrow raised.

"You are the worst" Evan rolls his eyes fondly and places a kiss on the corner of Tommy's lips with a playful smile. "I'll never hear the end of it when we get back."

Tommy grins and pulls his fiance flush against him, now when they're back to being alone again. "You know who you signed up for," he mused. "That's what you get for breaking a rule you came up with," he adds and pushes his man gently back down onto the mattress and hovers on top of him.

"We've never even had flavored lube," Evan pouts, and Tommy’s smile widens as he leans down to kiss the pout away.

"That's because they usually taste awful. I prefer natural flavors." He kisses him again, and Evan melts into his arms as they deepen the kiss.

MORE early dating Bucktommy. I simply could not resist!

Extra sweetness added! @bucktommyfluffebruary

"This must have been my seventh attempt." Buck sighs petulantly. mouth forming into a pout as he lets his finger run over the rim of the styrofoam mug in his possession. Tommy doesn't help the matter when he grins over his own mug, but feeling the other's foot nudge his ankle does add a bit of small comfort.

"And they say seven is the lucky number," Tommy muses, setting his mug back down onto the table. It can't have been that awful if he could manage to drink it without grimacing, so that clued Buck in that he might be on the right track when it comes to guessing Tommy's coffee order. It's been a fun challenge whenever they go on these coffee dates, to try and guess what kind of coffee he likes, and the man in question has been nothing but unhelpful in the matter and has been giving Buck zero hints. Whether it's for the free coffee or if it's to see more of Buck or maybe even both was a mystery, but Buck definitely hoped for the second option. That Tommy enjoyed these little dates as much as he did.

That he, too, had trouble getting him out of his mind at every waking hour. That he got to experience the endless teasing from his team-mates, or wonder what he was doing at all times. That he also fought the urge to call or text every second of every day, because he just wanted to talk to him and be in his presence.

The mere thought of it made Buck feel giddy. Made him trap Tommy's foot between his ankles, just to have an excuse to touch him, and it was more than worth seeing the way Tommy's smile lit up and formed the lines on his face that made Buck want to reach his hand over the table and smooth his fingers over them. It was an urge he resisted for now. As if reading Buck's mind, Tommy reached out his own hand and curled it around the tips of Buck's fingers, just holding them there and making Buck's heart dance joyfully.

"It was a close call this time," he murmurs, squeezing Buck's hand gently. God, how can such a sweet and delicate touch make him feel so much inside of him? Make the world around them stop and let them exist in their own bubble?

"Yeah?"

"Mmh. If it helps, I kind of like my coffee how I like my men."

Buck licks his lips. Squeezes Tommy's hand in return. "Smoking hot?"

"Well, that's a given," Tommy grins, and lifts Buck's hand to the level of his face. "I was gonna say delicious and sweet."

He has the nerve to press his lips tenderly over Buck's fingertips. One by one, all while maintaining eye contact and making Buck feel dizzy with affection and infatuation for the man.

He squeezes Tommy's foot tighter between his ankles and swallows hard. Contemplates whether he should just grab his hand and take him home and have his wicked way with him or just maul him right there over the table. Tommy seems to be making the decision for him, because he's suddenly finishing off his coffee.

"Wanna get out of here?"

@bucktommyfluffebruary

A different first meeting for our sweet idiots!

The PTO was mandatory, and Bobby was pretty insistent on that when he had called Buck into his office to relay the fact that through all the seven years Buck had been a part of the 118, he hadn't taken a single day off.

"Being on sick leave doesn't count, Buck," he had added when Buck had opened his mouth to protest, because he could recall plenty of times where he had been forced to not work, and sure, Bobby did have a point, but that wasn't the issue.

"It's three weeks," Buck had frowned. "What am I supposed to do with all that time?"

"Nothing. Everything. The time is yours to spend, so go and do whatever you want. You've earned it."

---

In the end, Buck had decided to go on a road trip. The destination? Somewhere far enough that he would have to bundle up for cold weather, was what he had been told by Chimney, who had contacted a friend of his who happened to own a cabin.

"It just so happens that he's in that area for a while, so you'll have to cohabit for a while," Chimney had then warned him, and Buck could only hope that this friend of his was friendly enough to want to share space with Buck.

He almost didn't make it all the way to the cabin. By the time he was driving through the narrow road leading to it, the wind had started to pick up and the snow was flurrying wildly in the chilly air and layered up the road into a thick, snowy unwelcome mass that the jeep would have to force itself through to get to the desired destination.

He sighed in relief when he finally did miraculously make it and he could spot the cabin. The lights illuminating from inside the windows suggested that the owner was already inside.

He staggered out of his jeep, eager to get into the inviting warmth that awaited him. He gathered his bags from the trunk of his jeep and trudged his way through the snow towards the front door. He didn't even make it to the door before it opened and a man stepped out.

"You made it just in time! I was beginning to think you wouldn't make it before the storm," the man says. He sounds friendly, Buck notes, and that's about as much as he get to process before the man pulls him inside along with his bags and closes the door to leave the cold behind them. "Evan Buckley, I presume?" The man muses, and Buck, breathless and exhausted after that little adventure, finally takes in the sight of the man. He is built. Tall, too, just as tall as Buck himself, and he wears a smile that gives Buck's heart an unexpected swoop. It's warm and kind.

"Uh… Y-yeah, I'm Evan," he says dumbfound, tilting his head and smiling as he steps closer to the owner of the cabin. "And you must be Tommy."

"Would be terribly awkward if I wasn't," Tommy deadpans, but his grin widens and Buck's heart does that pleasant swooping thing again. "Come on in. Make yourself comfortable. You must be hungry."

"Yeah, I could eat." Buck removes his jacket, and maybe it's his imagination, but he's pretty sure he sees Tommy's gaze roaming over him for a quick second.

"Great. You go ahead and make yourself comfortable. Just head to the right— that's where you'll find your room. It's not big, but it's cozy enough. Comes with floor heating. As does the rest of the cabin. There's beer in the fridge, so just help yourself— how do you feel about burgers?"

There was so much to take in and process already. The cabin itself had a warm and homey feel to it and looked nothing like what Buck had expected. There was a big TV, for one, Buck noticed as he peered around the area. A fireplace, of course, which was expected, but the rest didn't really scream the typical cabin to him. On top of it all, there was Tommy, who was pretty much offering all of this to a stranger and who was so nice and warm and welcoming that Buck found himself not wanting to leave his side anytime soon, if he could help it. "Burgers are fine. And— thanks for all of this, Tommy."

"No problem, Evan."

His heart did another delighted dance as he left for his assigned room.

---

"When you said burgers, I didn't expect them to be made from scratch," Buck beamed an hour later after he had wolfed down his second burger and was well into his third bottle of beer. He hadn't been here for that long and was already ready not to ever leave this place again. Which probably had more to do with the company rather than the place itself.

"Don't get too used to it. I'm just trying to be a good host."

"Well, consider me impressed. Hell, I'd marry you for these burgers."

"Only my burgers? Me and my good looks are offended."

Buck took a swig from his beer to hide the fact that his face was heating up, however, he didn't stop his eyes from taking in the sight of the man sitting next to him on the couch. He couldn't deny that Tommy was a sight to behold.

"Your good looks is a bonus, I suppose," he teases back, and he sees Tommy swallow and reach for his beer.

"Give it a few days and you'll reconsider your proposal," he drawled with a smug grin and sipped on his beer.

Buck wasn't sure what was happening right now that made watching Tommy wrap his mouth around the rim of the bottle and swallow its content so mesmerizing, or the way his Adam's apple was bobbing with his neck stretched. He just knew he had a sudden urge to reach out his hand and— and then what?

Touch him said a sultry voice inside his head and it surprised him as much as it pleased him, and it was confusing, and—

He stared at Tommy. Tilted his head and let his eyes wander to his bicep. He was a firefighter pilot. Could probably carry him and manhandle him and—

"Like what you see, kid?"

He had been caught staring. Of course he had, he hadn't exactly been subtle about it. It was the way Tommy phrased the question that caught Buck off guard and how he called him kid, and the way it sent a pleasant thrill through Buck in a way he had never imagined.

He was crushing hard on this man, he realized.

Did Chimney know this was going to happen?

Tommy stood up, then, clearing his throat and looking flushed. "Forget what I said, I— it's the beer. I've had too many already."

"Huh?"

He had been taking too long to respond to Tommy. Of course the man would rethink his advances, and Buck could absolutely not have that.

He stood up as well. "If we are blaming it on the beer, I guess it's the brand that makes me feel all swoony around you," he states. "I— I don't think it's the beer. I do like what I see. Maybe, uh… in a way that surprises me."

That seems to relax Tommy, but doesn't stop him from raising a curious eyebrow. "Would it help if I told you that I'm gay?"

"It doesn't make me feel any less attracted to you."

Tommy laughs, and the sound is sweet and smooth and Buck yearns to hear more of it. "Good to know." His tone is as warm as his gaze, but he turns his head quickly. Too quickly for Buck's liking. "Let me clean this up. We can… put on a movie. Have some more beer. Get to know each other." There's a suggestion underneath all that suggestion.

"Yeah. I'd like that."

They don't kiss that night, but Buck learns that he enjoys being curled up and nestled into Tommy's space as he fall asleep through one of the movies, and when he wakes up the next morning, the storm is still going strong, but none of it feels like a problem, because Tommy greets him with a scrunchy smile that sets Buck's heart on fire and he's being treated to a buffet of breakfast.