Chapter Text
"Buck!"
Buck feels like everything is in slow motion. He's falling, he knows that much, but he thinks this might be it. Of all the times he's done something dangerous, been close to death, been dead for three minutes and seventeen seconds, he thinks this time it's going to stick.
The light is soft as it comes through Tommy's bedroom windows. Tommy looks so peaceful as Buck softly runs his fingertips over Tommy's face, trying not to disturb him. Just marveling that this incredible man seems to keep choosing him. He knows this is it. Tommy's it. Buck's just afraid that it's too soon. That if he tells Tommy all the things that go through his head every time they're together, he's going to scare Tommy away. That he'll be too much. And he'll do anything to make sure he's not too much this time.
Tommy's eyes flutter against Buck's knuckles.
"Hi," Tommy whispers as he opens his eyes.
"Hi," Buck whispers back, lowering his hand to the mattress.
Tommy takes Buck's hand in his to bring it back to his lips and kisses the back of his hand. Buck pulls gently, and with a small breathy laugh, Tommy understands Buck wants him to come closer for a proper kiss.
Everything is so gentle. The light, the sheets, Tommy's lips on his, Tommy's hand as he laces their fingers together, Tommy's body as he moves to lie mostly on top of Buck.
"I..." Buck says against Tommy's lips.
He looks up to see Tommy's eyes shining down at him, a soft smile on his lips. But Buck can't get the words past his own lips. He moves his free hand to the back of Tommy's neck and pulls him into another kiss instead.
They're not dancing so much as swaying, but neither seem to care much. Buck can admit he was nervous to dance with Tommy at Maddie and Chimney's wedding, even though it had been his idea to bring and dance with Tommy. Tommy had even offered to let Buck off the hook; that bringing him to the wedding as his date was enough of a step for now, but Buck really did want to dance with Tommy. He looked so good in his suit, and after the day they've all had, he really thinks Tommy's arms around him will put him back together just a little bit. It had started a little awkward, since Buck had never dance with a man, but Tommy proved that just like everything else so far, it's not really all that different. He knows people are probably looking at them this time, but he can't bring himself to care. Tommy's hand is on the small of his back holding him close and smiling at him. Buck can't hear the music anymore, can't see anyone else in the room, can barely feel his own feet still shuffling along with Tommy's. All he knows is that the smile on his face hasn't gotten any smaller since they stepped onto the dance floor. And that he could spend a very long time staring into Tommy's eyes.
"That was better than fake mouth static."
Tommy laughs. "I got a shift.
"Okay."
"Crosstown traffic. I came in a car this time. So what're you doing Saturday?"
"Uh, Saturday."
"You still owe me that beer. You free?"
Buck smiles. "Yes I-I- I am free."
"Great."
After Tommy leaves with the instructions for Buck to call Eddie, Buck can't stop smiling. Can't help but bring his fingers up to gently touch his lips and still feel the electricity. He thinks everything feels different now.
Buck has fallen from buildings before. And not all of them on the job either. He's done a lot of stupid stuff. A lot of dangerous stuff. People always say your life will flash before your eyes at the end. He knows he's packed way more into his life so far than most people his age, but he feels like there was still so much he could've done. Was supposed to do. The stuff that hasn't happened yet.
Buck watches as Jee-Yun plays with her young cousins while he's sitting and talking with her parents and Tommy. He's so happy he gets to watch his niece and his kids grow up together.
The ring feels both alien and perfectly at home on Buck's finger. He knows he's never taking it off.
The last of the boxes is finally in from the truck. Tommy and Buck collapse on the sofa, exhausted but so happy, and share their first kiss in their new home.
Buck hits the ground with a resounding thud. He doesn't know if he makes any sound. The fire is still too loud and everyone around him is shouting. He can see Hen and Chimney suddenly above him. They're looking at him and he thinks they're talking but can't quite tell. He feels so tired all of the sudden. The last thing he thinks before everything goes black is, "I should've told him I love him this morning."