God I Hope So

I've been tagged by my love @bidisasterevankinard quite a few times this week, and I finally have sth to share! From chapter 3 of Sunny Days Who doesn't love baby bi Buck trying to convince himself that what he feels for Tommy is totally bro stuff?

"Who's Tommy?", Maddies asks curiously, seeing the name when Buck’s phone lights up on the counter with a new text from Tommy. Buck’s not sure why he blushes at the question, or why a small part of him doesn’t really want to tell her about Tommy. Perhaps because Tommy is the one new thing in Buck's life that doesn't tie back to his accident.

A part of his life that feels completely his.

"Oh, he's just this dude I met a few days ago", he says, more casually than he actually feels. "He recommended me this dog-friendly café, and we've been talking a bit ever since. He's cool."

"Look at you going all social", Maddie tries to tease, but Buck can hear the actual pride and relief at her voice.

He's not sure how to feel about it. That his sister is proud of him for… going out and living his life? Meeting people on his own? At the same time it warms his chest, it feels… Weird. It doesn't feel right for Maddie to be proud of him for something that used to be… simple. Normal.

Buck doesn't answer, pretending to be busy getting ready for PT. He wonders, though, if any of those feelings shows on his face, because Maddie's expression shifts to a slightly guilty one.

"I just mean it's good to see you up and about, you know? You're not the kind to enjoy long periods of rest", she says with a small shrug, and Buck chuckles despite himself. "I am really not", he agrees, picking up his phone to answer Tommy ('yeah! I have PT right now, but will pass by later?').

Buck slips the phone into his pocket after Tommy's immediate reply ('Cool! I'll be here :)'), a small smile tugging at his lips. When he looks up, Maddie's looking at him with crossed arms and a raised eyebrow, a smirk forming on her face.

"You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd think this Tommy person was a crush of yours"

Buck almost loses his balance in surprise, and Sunny rushes to his side, agitated. He quickly calms her down with a couple pats to the head, but she remains by his side, her gaze fixed on him.

"T-Tommy's a guy", he scoffs, cursing the blush taking over his cheeks. "I'm straight"

"I know. That's why I said if I didn't know any better", Maddie says placatingly, but there's a curiosity on her face that reminds Buck of when they were kids — when she could always tell when he was lying.

Except Buck's not lying this time.

Right?

He is straight. Sure, sometimes a cute guy passes by him and he checks out his ass, but that's normal, right? Everyone does that.

And he definitely doesn't have a crush on Tommy. It's just… It has been a long time since Buck's had a new friend.

Surely eagerly waiting for texts and smiling when they arrive is something you do when you have a new friend… right?