Work Text:
The firehouse was quiet. The B shift was out on a call, and everyone from Buck’s team had gone home almost an hour ago. Buck was sitting in the locker room with his phone in his hands. He was supposed to leave same time as everyone except Tommy was late.
Buck looked down at his phone again as it vibrated announcing a new message from Tommy. He sighed. Well, at least he was on his way and not canceling. That was good, right? This thing between them was still so new, yet the thought of Tommy ever canceling on him scared him out of his mind.
“Hey,” Buck jumped as he heard a voice behind him, “What are you still doing here?” Bobby asked him.
“Oh, hey, Cap,” Buck turned around, “I’m- Tommy’s picking me up.” After a small pause he added, “I thought you left with everyone?”
“Captain’s work never ends,” Bobby laughed with a slight smile. “Going somewhere nice?”, he nodded towards Buck’s clothes.
Buck looked down at himself, noticing several creases on a bit too tight and uncomfortable dress pants. He wore one of his nice shirts too, not that this was a formal, dress-up date. But watching Tommy’s eyes light up when he saw him would be worth wearing these stuffy clothes.
“Nah, just dinner,” Buck shrugged, “Hey, Cap? Can I ask you something?”
He waited for Bobby to nod yes before adding, “How did you know with Athena? That she was… That you guys could have a future together?”
“Is there something you want to tell me?” Bobby inquired.
“I just... I think it’s getting serious. I mean I want it to be but I don’t know how it’s supposed to feel like. Is there a moment of clarity where I realize he’s it? A lighting strike? Or some sign?” Buck said quietly.
“Well, how do you feel about him? Are you happy?”
“You have no idea, Bobby,” Buck breathed out.
“Then there’s your answer,” Bobby grinned.
Buck grinned in return, his eyes meeting Bobby’s. “Thanks, Bobby,” he said, relief flowing through his body.
He noticed Bobby’s gaze shift and a smile appear on his face.
“Looks like your date is here,” Bobby smirked. “I’ll leave you to it. See you tomorrow, Buck,” he said as he left the room.
Buck turned around facing the door. He could see Tommy walking towards the lockers, his steps echoing across the empty hall of the fire station. He looked like a man on a mission.
Tommy reached the lockers in a few quick steps like he knew exactly where he was headed. Where to look for Buck.
It reminded Buck there was a reason Tommy knew the layout of the station so well. He had worked here. With Chim and Hen. And Bobby.
It was funny how fate worked sometimes. If he had made a different decision somewhere along his path, ended up in LA sooner, they would have met earlier. They would have made it work somehow. With all their suitcases full of emotional baggage, traumas and fears. Right?
“Hey, I’m so sorry I’m late,” Tommy said, out of breath, as he walked in. He stopped in his tracks and his face turned an adorable shade of pink when he noticed Buck’s clothes.
Buck stared back at Tommy, a grin forming on his face.
“You look—,” Tommy stopped mid-sentence, trying to catch his breath.
“Hey. You look great too,” Buck stepped closer to Tommy and placed a chaste kiss on his lips before raising his hand and moving a strand of hair out of Tommy’s face.
“Ready to go? I’m ready if you are,” Buck grabbed Tommy’s hand and started walking. “C’mon, I am excited. And hungry,” he continued, as Tommy followed him. “So, where are you taking me?”
“It’s a surprise,” Tommy answered as he regained his ability to breathe.
“You know I hate surprises,” Buck beamed.
“Sure, you do,” Tommy laughed. “You’ll find out when we get there. I am sorry I was late.”
“You don’t have to explain,” Buck tried to stop him.
“No, I do. Had to change some plans, took longer than I expected.”
“Wait, we’re not going out to eat?” Buck halted his step and turned around making Tommy crash into his chest.
“Nope, sorry,” Tommy apologized. “I do hope you’ll like this place better,” Tommy stood so close to him, that Buck could feel Tommy’s breath on his face.
“Okay,” Buck said defeated.
“We’ll still eat, Evan. Just not at the restaurant,” Tommy said mysteriously. He moved first, leading Buck to the car. He opened the passenger door for him. Buck got in, as Tommy walked around the car and got in himself.
He started the car, and a few minutes later they were on the road.
“You know our first date was exactly one month ago,” Tommy murmured, his eyes focused on the road.
They’d been driving for a while in a comfortable silence, as Buck sat with his eyes closed. It wasn’t a great idea going on a date after a 24-hour shift, but it was the only evening their schedules lined up this past week. He wouldn’t have passed the opportunity to see Tommy even if he were dead tired after a gruesome day.
“Ugh, don’t remind me of that,” Buck muttered as he hid his face behind his palms.
“What? It was almost a lovely evening,” Tommy laughed.
“Until I made a fool of myself.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say that,” Tommy reassured him.
“But you’re thinking that,” Buck said, his eyes twinkling.
“If you were a fool, then I was one too,” Tommy shrugged his shoulders, his eyes focused on the road.
“So, where are you taking me?”, Buck asked, changing the topic.
“Actually, we’re almost there,” Tommy said as bright lights became more visible in the distance.
“Is that a drive-in theater?” Buck asked, awed.
“You guessed it,” Tommy answered as they reached their destination. “We didn’t make it to the theater on our first date, thought I’d remedy that. You want to stay in the car? Or find some place to sit?”
“Car,” Buck replied as Tommy drove to their designated parking space. “Can we sit in the back?”
“Sure, let me just turn around.”
It took some maneuvering, but a few minutes later Tommy’s pick-up stood facing the farthest parking rows. They got out of the car, as Tommy grabbed two bags from the backseat.
“Your food,” Tommy smiled at Buck’s curious look. He produced a couple of blankets and a pillow from a second bag and placed them in the truck’s bed.
They climbed in right before the movie started. Tommy sat first, placing a pillow behind his back. Buck joined him, sitting beside Tommy, their sides squished together in a too-small-for-two-strong-firefighters bed of the car.
It felt good sitting with him like that, their bodies touching. Feeling heat radiating off Tommy’s body. It’d only been a month, but an eternity could have passed and he would have felt the same.
“Got some take-out. Wasn’t sure what you’d be in the mood for, got a little bit of everything,” Tommy spoke as he handed Buck the food bag. Buck opened it taking out a couple of containers.
“Is that Thai?” he asked, the smell invading his nostrils. He felt Tommy nod with his whole body, his eyes glued to the screen.
“What movie is that?” Buck continued talking, as he opened one of the containers and began to eat.
“One of my favorites. It’s a rom-com, hope you don’t mind,” Tommy whispered. He raised the arm that was sandwiched between him and Buck and placed it across the back of Buck’s neck and shoulders.
Buck leaned into Tommy’s body, settling into a more comfortable position. “I don’t mind, as long as it’s a good one,” he replied mid-chew.
“It is a good one,” Buck could hear Tommy’s smile, which made him smile brighter. He raised his eyes to the screen, watching as a woman appeared on it.
The movie was almost finished. But if someone had asked Buck what the movie was about, he wouldn’t have been able to say a thing.
He was half-laying on top of Tommy’s chest. Tommy’s arms were draped across him. Every time Tommy laughed, his whole body shook and vibrated in beat with Tommy’s. His mouth was close to Buck’s right ear. And every time Tommy breathed out a bit too loud, he could feel the hot air reach his bones.
His whole body was on fire, ignited by a spark that found fuel. He looked up watching Tommy. Watching his smile shine brighter than a million stars on a cloudless night sky. Watching him watch the movie with such excitement, such joy.
Tommy squeaked with happiness as the main couple reunited and kissed on screen, getting their happy ending. And Buck couldn’t keep his eyes away from Tommy.
He looked like someone had given him the best news of his life, like he had won the lottery. Except maybe it was Buck, that won the lottery, in the fate department? Maybe that was the sign he needed? That happiness Bobby talked about? That was it, wasn't it?
Tommy looked down at Buck as the credits started rolling, his eyes beaming with delight. He bent over and placed a sloppy kiss on top of Buck’s upper lip, spider-man style.
“What’s the verdict?” Tommy asked as he let go of Buck’s lips.
“It was good,” Buck nodded several times, his cheeks burning. “Wasn’t sure she’d get the guy until the very end.”
“Well, it is a rom-com, the hero always gets the guy,” Tommy laughed.
“So, do you think I could get the guy if I were her?” Buck flirted, as he sat upright.
“I don’t think they’d make a movie about it. The guy was yours from the first minute,” Tommy stared into Buck’s eyes, his tone turned serious.
Buck placed his hands on Tommy’s cheeks as he leaned in. His lips touched the top of Tommy’s upper lip and moved away. He breathed into Tommy’s mouth before the space between their lips closed. It was a soft kiss, filled with every word of admiration and love Buck could convey. It was the kind of kiss he wouldn’t have minded placing on Tommy’s lips every day for the rest of his life.
They let go of each other, breathless and beaming like a cat’s eyes in the dark.
“Ready to go home?” Tommy asked after a minute.
Buck nodded as they both jumped out of the car, grabbing the blankets and empty food containers.
They placed their belongings in the backseat and entered the car. In less than five minutes they were back on the road.
“You staying tonight?” Buck asked quietly when they reached his street.
“Do you want me to?” Tommy answered with a question of his own.
“You know I do.”
“Then I’m staying tonight,” Tommy nodded as he pulled to the driveway.
“Good,” Buck replied, smiling like a kid who found the most incredible- looking stick. Please, stay forever, he almost spoke out loud.
“Now tell me the truth,” Tommy spoke as they exited the car and walked into the building, holding hands. “You didn’t really watch the movie, did you?”