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It had started with a drawer.
After reconnecting in the aftermath of their break-up, Buck had been extremely careful about not moving too fast. He recognized that he jumped about ten steps ahead and Tommy needed to learn not to immediately see the ending when he had something good going in his life. It took a lot of communication and truths for them to get back to where they were.
Buck hadn’t always gone over to Tommy’s as much as Tommy came to his, since they usually gravitated towards his loft. One night, though, Tommy was too tired to come over so Buck packed a bag to go to his place.
Soon it became a habit and after their clothes got mixed up too many times, Tommy had offered him a drawer. Buck almost said no, at first, but then admitted to Tommy that he didn’t want to overstep again. This relationship was too important to him and he didn’t want to scare Tommy away.
“It’s okay, Evan. I’m the one who offered.” Tommy had kissed him and it made Buck feel content with the idea.
Buck had asked Maddie how long it took for her to move in after Chimney offered her space at the apartment.
“Less than nine months. I got pregnant with your niece,” she reminded him, caressing her baby bump and making Buck laugh. It took some of the anxiety away from wondering if he should broach the topic of moving in again. “Maybe let him set the pace on this one. I remember Chimney did the same for me when he told me he loved me and I wasn’t ready to say it. Although being taken hostage the next day kind of spoiled it.”
Buck laughed nervously. He did not plan on being taken hostage and decided maybe he’d save his next bank run for another day.
It didn’t take long at all for Tommy to bring up the subject. Buck had been adding some clothes to his drawer when Tommy asked if he wanted some closet space.
Buck turned to look at his boyfriend, who was sitting on the edge of the bed and wringing his hands together. He walked over to him and took his hands, pulling Tommy up so they were standing face to face.
“I thought about it. But I didn’t want to bring it up until you were ready. I even asked my sister for advice.”
“Smart. How long did it take them to move in together?”
“Well, from drawer to pregnancy…” Buck shrugged.
“Well, I can’t do anything about that,” Tommy said dryly, earning a giggle from Buck.
“Listen, you went at my pace the first time around. Now it’s my turn to do the same for you. I love that you’re offering me closet space. I just want you to do it because you’re ready, okay, baby?”
Tommy’s shoulders fell and he sighed softly, looking relieved. Buck wrapped his arms around him. “We can see where it goes from here, okay?”
“Perfect.”
Buck kissed him before going back to rearranging his drawer. A few weeks later, Buck noticed some of Tommy’s clothes were pushed to one corner of the closet and he grinned. He had a few dress shirts that would go perfectly in here.
Almost a year after Buck first got his drawer, he got a notice about his lease, asking if he was planning on renewing it. Looking around the loft, it held so many amazing memories. But maybe it was time to make new memories elsewhere.
He thought about how to mention it to Tommy, but also knew he was the one who was letting him set the tone. Could he leave the notice out where Tommy saw it? No, his boyfriend wasn’t the type to snoop.
As it turned out, he didn’t need to worry about it. While hanging out with Eddie and Tommy at the former’s house, his best friend dropped the question without a preamble. Buck tried to remember if he had talked about the living situation with him. Then again, Eddie had dropped by a few times looking for Buck, only to realize about five visits in if he wanted to see Buck, he should go to Tommy’s at this rate.
“When is your lease up anyway?” Eddie asked after Buck commented he needed to dust the loft. “You’re never there.”
Buck glanced over at Tommy, who just raised an eyebrow. “Uh, I actually just got the notice yesterday that I needed to renew if I planned on it.”
Tommy tilted his head. “How come you didn’t tell me?”
“Didn’t want to freak you out.”
Eddie, realizing he had accidentally started a conversation that had not been planned, made an excuse about grabbing more beers and went into his kitchen. Tommy took his vacated seat and took Buck’s hand.
“If you don’t want to renew, you don’t have to.”
Buck squeezed his hand, bringing it up to kiss his knuckles. “Only if you’re ready for me to make the move.”
Tommy smiled and took a deep breath, “I’m ready. I actually am.”
“Yeah?” A beaming smile overtook Buck’s face and Tommy kissed him softly.
“Yeah.”
They just stared at each other with wide smiles before Eddie came back in.
“Are we having celebratory beers or am I cheering you both up and reminding you you don’t have to split up over this?”
Buck leveled Eddie with a look before smiling, “Give me my celebratory beer.” Eddie clinked glasses with both of them before sitting on Tommy’s other side.
Tommy wrapped an arm around Buck and kissed the side of his head as Buck went to find a movie for them to watch. He was already bouncing with ideas but wanted to revel in this moment.