Chapter Text
“So.”
Tommy doesn’t like Evan’s tone.
It’s the I-need-to-tell-you-something-but-I-really-don’t-want-to tone.
“So?”
Still, he knows Evan will tell him.
If the past two weeks have been anything to go by, he’s just trying to figure things out.
Evan pushes the lasagna back in the oven and turns to look at him.
(Tommy can’t wait to eat some of it. Eddie made it sound like the food of the gods.)
“You know how I told my sister about us, right?”
Tommy nods, because yes, he knows, Maddie had been the first person Evan had come out to, and Evan falls silent for a second.
So, Tommy waits.
He thinks he’s willing to wait a very long time for Evan Buckley.
“She wants to meet you.”
And Tommy almost laughs, but he knows Evan wouldn’t take kindly to that.
So, he smiles. “Do you want her to meet me?”
And Evan’s face twists in that way, forming that expression that Tommy’s been seeing more and more.
One that he wishes he could erase more than anything.
The expression of someone not used to being shown love, care and concern in a relationship.
“I…Maddie’s really important to me. She raised me, she’s been my rock growing up, and…even when she left for college, when she married Doug, I…it always made me feel better, knowing that at least she loves me. And even when I asked her to leave with me and she just sent me away, I still…”
He stops, and Tommy really wishes he could punch whoever it is that made him so insecure about his rambling.
It’s cute, and adorable, and not annoying or whatever it is that Evan is looking for in his face.
“She was the only stable thing in my life, back then. I was traveling around, from state to state and from job to job, but I always had Maddie, even if it was just me sending her postcards and her never answering. And when she came back, I was just so happy to have her in my life again. And I’m really glad that she’s in it, because she’s so important to me. So…yeah, I think I’m okay with her meeting you. If you’re okay with that, of course.”
Tommy walks up to him, and waits until Evan looks at him.
“Evan, of course I do. I could already tell she means a lot to you, so I would have understood if you would have wanted to wait until having us meet. But if you think you’re ready for that, then it would be my pleasure to meet your sister.”
Evan studies his face for a few more seconds, and Tommy lets him.
“Okay. I’ll text Maddie to let her know then.”
>>>---<<<
They end up going to the Buckley-Han household a week after that.
And Tommy can’t help but smile softly at the way Evan welcomes his running niece with open arms, bringing her up and spinning her, laughing at the squeak she lets out.
(Evan was right. Jee-Yun Buckley-Han really is a bundle of cuteness.)
He doesn’t even realize that Maddie’s standing next to him, looking at her brother and daughter with fondness, until she speaks.
“So, you’re Tommy, hmm?”
Now, Tommy’s met the family of previous boyfriends before.
But…meeting Maddie Buckley, it feels different.
Because he never really cared for people’s approval.
Yet, he found himself wanting Maddie’s.
He knows how important family is to Evan.
And if for Evan ‘family’ means his older sister and her daughter, his captain and his wife, his coworkers and their kids, then Tommy’s willing to make the effort.
“That would be me.”
Maddie smiles at him, and Tommy can’t help but compare her smile to Evan’s.
“Well then, come on in. I can’t possibly leave my brother’s boyfriend in my doorway.”
Besides, Tommy thinks he’ll really like Maddie.
>>>---<<<
Tommy thinks dinner was pleasant, and now Evan and Chimney are doing the dishes while him, Maddie and Jee-Yun are in the living room.
Jee-Yun, who has been staring at him throughout the entire meal.
She seems to have finally made up her mind, as she approaches him carefully.
Or well, as carefully as a three years old can manage.
“Who are you?” she asks, and Tommy can’t help but smile.
Deciding to indulge, he looks at her seriously, “I’m Tommy. And who are you?”
The toddler smiles, extending a hand, “My name is Jee-Yun!”
Taking it, Tommy nods, “It’s nice to meet you, Jee-Yun.”
And just like that, she runs off, screaming “Uncle Buck! Dad!” in a way only an adorable kid can, and Tommy can’t help but laugh.
Maddie, who had watched the entire exchange in silence, finally speaks up.
“Well, I would say you have Jee’s seal of approval. She doesn’t shake just anyone’s hand.”
“In that case, I am honored.”
Maddie hums, and Tommy is content to let her gather her thoughts.
And while it’s similar to the way Evan needs a moment to gather his thoughts and feelings before a serious talk, he also knows it’s for different reasons.
Evan stops, considers his words once and then twice, wonders if speaking up would annoy the other person, and then considers his words a third time.
Maddie just seems to want to choose the right words for her meaning to get across right.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Buck look as happy as he has been these past three weeks. Even before he came out to me, I could tell something about him had changed, and when he did I was so happy that he’s found this part of himself.”
Tommy doesn’t say anything, because he knows Maddie wants him to just listen.
“And tonight? He was beaming . The way he looked at you? I never saw him look like that to any of his girlfriends. Not to mention he’d always wait a while before introducing them to me.”
…huh.
Tommy hadn’t considered that.
“And I also saw the way you look at him, and…Just please keep being good with him. He’s been hurt far too many times. Because that’s the thing about my brother. When he loves, he loves with his entire being, until it destroys him. I want him to find happiness, and right now it seems to me that you’re the one making him happiest. So…keep doing that.”
And despite hearing the threat in her words, Tommy can’t help but smile.
He’s glad Maddie came back in Evan’s life.
Because she seems to be every bit as amazing as his boyfriend made her out to be.
“Of course, Maddie.”