Chapter Text
The domestic terminal at Austin International Airport is crowded. Evan hums with impatience, stuck behind a massive clump of teens chattering excitedly on the escalator. Finally free, his long strides eat the distance to the baggage carousel, his eyes scanning the thinning crowd.
“Evan!”
He turns just in time to catch the flailing mass of limbs that is his best friend, his arms tightening as the warmth of the hug goes straight to his core.
“T.K.”
It had been a firefighter’s conference, two single father captains with two young sons, and the rest was history. They may have only spent a grand total of six months in the same state since they’d met five years ago, but Evan and T.K. had never needed physical closeness to understand what the other was going through.
Maybe this had been a good idea after all.
Evan had been reluctant to leave California with everything going on since that fateful phone call two weeks ago, but it had been clear nothing was happening fast. Bobby was caught up in legalities with his lawyer and the one representing the adoption agency, trying to determine the best way forward. With everything up in the air, Evan had been jittery and restless, barely able to focus, even on shift.
Bobby had been understanding but firm – either Evan get his head in the game or take some time off.
T.K.’s offer of a tour of their new station had come at exactly the right time.
“How are you liking Austin?”
“Eh.” T.K. scrunched his nose. “It’s so humid, like, all the time. And there isn’t really a winter season – more like a winter week. But the people are pretty great.”
Evan wiggled his eyebrows. “The people, huh?”
T.K. blushed. “It’s not official yet. Just a few dates.”
The carousel dinged, saving T.K. from further embarrassment. Once Evan had collected his bags, he followed T.K. into the blistering sunlight and just s quickly back into the concrete darkness of the parking structure.
“A truck! You really have gone native.”
T.K. laughed. “Maybe a little. Haven’t got me in boots quite yet.”
“Just wait.”
They settled into the cab, Evan’s luggage tucked neatly between his legs under the spacious dash. T.K. fiddled with the radio for a minute, settling on some country station Evan could hardly picture him listening to regularly.
“So… do you want to talk about it?”
Evan’s gut clenched. He’d known the question was coming, and at least T.K. had waited until they were alone to ask it. “Not really.”
“Ok. It’s… I’m here if you want to, yeah?”
“I know.”
He did know. Evan still remembered when Bobby had gotten the call from Owen about the overdose. He’d helped T.K. through months of recovery from addiction, and been helped in return when he’d turned to sex to soothe his own insecurities. He knew there was no judgement between them.
He just wasn’t ready yet, not with so many uncertainties hanging over him.
They make the drive to the 126 in companionable silence, long enough for Evan to decide he’s not a fan of country music in large quantities. He relieved when he sees the sleek, familiar silhouette of a ladder truck.
T.K. pulls in, smiling at Evan. “Figured we’d take the tour first, say hi to dad. He’s on shift right now, but I’ve got the week off so I’m all yours. It’ll also give you a chance to meet the crew, but don’t stress about it, you’ll get to see them all again in a couple days. We’re having a little hangout, some Texas barbecue and whatnot.”
“Cool.”
The 126 is sleek and modern, similar enough in taste to the old New York house that Evan can tell Owen had a heavy hand in the stylistic choices. He appreciates the familiarity.
There are a few whirlwind introductions, and like T.K. predicted, Evan doesn’t really catch but the most fleeting impressions. He likes the probie kid. Reminds him of himself a few years ago, all limbs and energy and eager to please.
He suspects the kid will make a great firefighter one day.
He’s just shaking hands with a tall woman in a paramedic’s uniform when a voice rings out over the deck.
“118! What are you doing in my firehouse?”
Evan looks up with a grin. “Hey Uncle Owen!”
Captain Owen Strand grins back. “Come on up, kiddo.”
Owen’s hug is almost as good as T.K.’s, but the fatherly warmth of it makes Evan’s chest ache for Bobby.
“How you doing, kiddo?” Owen asks, giving Evan a once-over.
He huffs a laugh, sinking into the offered chair. “I don’t really know.” He says honestly.
“Fair enough. How’s your dad holding up?”
“He’s worried.” Evan admits, knowing that Bobby and Owen had probably already had several conversations about the whole affair. “You know how protective he gets about the whole subject. I think we’re both just grateful I’m over 18.”
“True that.” Owen says fervently. “You know if you and Bobby need back-up, you’ve got the 126 on your side, okay?”
“Thanks.”
“Always, kiddo. Now, I think my son has plans for you guys. Don’t want to keep him waiting.”
“For sure. Thanks, Uncle Owen.”
“I’ll see you tonight, kiddo.”
His heart a little lighter, Evan rejoined T.K. downstairs, and after a few more pleasantries, the two young men left the firehouse and headed for a quiet suburban street.
“Whoa.” Evan stared at the house as T.K. parked.
“I know, right?” T.K. shook his head. “And this place still costs less than Dad’s apartment in Red Hook.”
“Probably less than mine in L.A., too.” Evan grimaced.
“We really did pick the worst places to live, huh?” T.K. laughed.
The inside was as nice as the outside, Owen’s hand again visible in the spartan décor. Evan dropped his bag on the guest room bed with a grateful sigh. He had a few hours before dinner, and T.K. had told him to relax and unwind, with the offer of company downstairs if he got bored before then.
For now, he sank into the mattress, unlocking his phone and scrolling through the list of missed messages. He’d let Bobby know he’d landed safely, and the first few notifications were from him, a thumbs up emoji, a heart emoji, and a reminder to wear sunscreen and have fun. ‘
Athena was next, a simple ‘love you baby, have a good time’.
A couple from Eddie, ‘hope travel went smoothly’, ‘have you landed yet? Hope it’s not too hot’, and ‘Christopher says hi and asks if you can say hi to Texas for him’.
Evan chuckles at the last one and looks out the window at the Texas sky.
“Christopher says hi.” He tells the clouds gravely. “Remember him? He lived in El Paso. Eddie too. They’re in California now, but don’t worry. We’ll take good care of them.”
The sky, of course, doesn’t respond, and Evan feels only slightly foolish as he texts back, ‘done. Texas missed you too’.
A yawn blurred the screen, and Evan gave in, setting an alarm on his phone before allowing his eyes to drift shut.