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The car jolted as it hit another dip in the winding road, and Buck felt his stomach flip for what had to be the tenth time. He gripped the handle above his head, staring hard out the window and doing his best to breathe evenly.
“Are you sure you’re good?” Tommy asked, his voice laced with barely hidden amusement as he glanced over. “You look like you’re about to lose it, Evan.”
“I’m fine,” Buck managed to say. “Just… enjoying the view.”
Tommy raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? ” He chuckled, reaching over to give Buck’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Look, we can pull over for a bit. Take a break by the water?”
Buck opened one eye, catching the worry hidden behind Tommy's smirk. They’d been talking about this drive up the coast for ages, and he didn’t want to be the one to call it off just because his stomach wasn’t cooperating. Still, as another curve came up, he swallowed hard, finally relenting. “Alright, maybe… maybe just a quick stop.”
Tommy’s face softened. He slowed down, turning into a little pull-off with a perfect view of the Pacific. As soon as the car was still, Buck felt a wave of relief.
They stepped out, and Buck inhaled deeply, letting the salty sea air wash over him. Tommy came up beside him, a little smile on his face. “Better?”
“Yeah,” Buck admitted. “A lot better.” He leaned on the car, gaze following the waves as they rolled and crashed against the shore.
Tommy nudged his shoulder lightly. “It’s no big deal, you know. Everyone’s got something. I mean, you’ve seen me with chickens.”
Buck chuckled. “Yeah, true. You didn’t look so cool up on that video with the chicken. ”
“Exactly,” Tommy said, laughing.
Buck glanced over at him, a quiet warmth filling him as he took in the honesty in Tommy’s eyes. “Guess that means you can handle helping me through a little motion sickness.”
“Any time, Evan,” Tommy replied, his hand finding Buck’s. They both fell silent, watching the waves together, with Tommy’s hand steady and solid in Buck’s own.
For the first time, Buck thought maybe he didn’t mind slowing down. Not if it meant sharing the view like this.