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It had been a week and a half since Buck had dislocated his shoulder. Almost two weeks. The first few days had been the worst because of the pain, but his doctor had prescribed him some good meds and Tommy was on top of his pain management. He never missed a dose and always made sure Buck had something to eat before he took a pill so that his stomach wouldn’t get upset. The downside was having to wear the sling. That fucking sling. It felt nice because it secured and immobilized his arm to prevent more damage, but at the same time it was super annoying and got in his way. It also prevented him from doing a lot of other things. Now the worst of it was over and he was getting around a little bit better, although he still needed help getting dressed and putting shoes on and making something to eat. The doctor told him he had to wear it for 8 weeks and that he could only take it off to shower and change his clothes, which seemed ridiculous to Buck. He was thinking a week at the most. So, of all his other injuries, this definitely wasn’t the worst he’d had to recover from, that was his leg being crushed, but he was still struggling.
Buck was never someone who was good at being still for too long though, so his rest and recovery period and missing work was making him so bored. He was starting to go stir crazy and Tommy could see that. They took lots of walks and tried to spend lots of time outdoors to get fresh air and just to get out of the house but Buck was still missing being around people. The quiet of the house was getting to him. That was when Tommy had the idea to host a barbeque and invite everyone over. Buck was so excited for this, even though he wouldn’t be able to help much, but that was ok. He’d do what he could. He was just excited to be around his friends again.
He woke up in a great mood and helped Tommy clean the house. Then they showered together and Buck gave Tommy a handjob. That was another downside to all of this, no sex. It was driving Buck crazy. He thought he was ok to have sex, nothing crazy, obviously, but he could lay there and let Tommy fuck him. He’d been begging Tommy to, actually, but Tommy refused, saying he didn’t want to risk hurting him. Buck wasn’t happy about it but Tommy was definitely making up for it by giving him the best blow jobs he’s ever had. Tommy had given him another dose of his meds and tried to convince Buck to rest and take a nap before everyone arrived, but he’d refused. He was too excited. The pills did make him sleepy though, although he’s getting more and more used to them and doesn’t always need to go to sleep as soon as he takes one.
“Are you sure you’re ok, Ev?” Tommy asks him. “You didn’t get a nap today and I’m afraid you’re gonna crash later.”
Buck waves him off with his good arm as he sets food out. “I’m fine, Tommy. I promise. I need this. I need to help and feel useful,” he says.
“Yeah, I get that, babe. I just don’t want you to push yourself too hard. Nobody is expecting you to be hopping around here entertaining. Leave that to me, ok? Can you do that? Just relax and let me do most of the work,” Tommy says, coming up to kiss him.
“I will. Promise. Hey, Tommy, can I take the sling off just while they’re here? It’s really annoying me right now. I swear I’ll be careful not to move my arm,” Buck says.
“You know the rules, Ev. It stays on unless you’re showering or getting dressed. Doctors order,” Tommy says, rubbing his back and going back to setting the table. Buck groans and kicks his foot a little. “Come on, Tommy. Just while they’re here? I’m starting to feel claustrophobic with this damn thing. It’s kind of uncomfortable,” he argues.
Tommy walks back over to him and looks at the sling. “Did I get it too tight? Do you want me to loosen it?” he asks. “No, I just want it off. Please?” Buck asks with his best puppy dog eyes. Tommy cups his cheek and kisses him. “The sling stays on, Evan,” he says. “It has to stay immobilized.” Buck groans and rolls his eyes in defeat.
Luckily, it isn’t much longer until people start to arrive. Chim, Maddie and Jee show up first, followed closely by Bobby and Athena and then Hen and Karen and then Eddie. Hen’s mom had volunteered to take Chris, Denny, and Mara to the zoo since she had won tickets.
Things were going well, Tommy and Bobby were on grill duty while everyone else sat outside in the yard. When it was almost time to eat, everyone decided to get refills on their drinks. Buck wanted to do something and insisted on helping Maddie make the drinks. Maddie had asked him to get her a new bottle of vodka since she’d just used the last of the one that was open, so he did, but insisted on trying to open it himself. He wasn’t successful, though and Maddie had to help him. Buck was feeling helpless. Eddie noticed, however and came over to him. “Relax, Buck. Don’t beat yourself up. You only have one arm right now. It’s ok,” he said, patting him on the back. “You’ll be back to yourself in no time.”
Bobby and Tommy came in then with the meat and grilled veggies and set them on the table. “Ok, everyone, get a plate and dig in,” Tommy said.
“Oh, napkins. I forgot the napkins,” Buck said. “I got them.” He went to the pantry and got the package from the shelf and brought it out to the counter. First, he tried to open the package with his teeth, but that wasn’t working. What the hell kind of plastic was this made out of? He tried to use his good arm and hand to open them and after several failed attempts, he lost it. It was fucking napkins, it shouldn’t be this hard!
Before he even realized what he was doing, he was cursing up a storm and slamming the package down on the counter and repeatedly hitting it with his fist. Everyone stopped to turn and look at him to see what the commotion was. Tommy raced over to him and took the package from him, tossing it aside, and caught his wrist in his hands, stopping him from pounding the counter.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Easy, Ev. Relax. What is going on, talk to me,” he said calmly.
“I can’t open them! I can’t do anything without help!”
Maddie came up beside them and took the napkins and opened them. “It’s ok, Evan. I got them,” she said softly.
Buck started pulling at his sling trying to get it off but he couldn’t reach the velcro in the back to do it. “Get it off,” he demanded.
“Ev, it has to stay on, you know this,” Tommy said, taking his hand.
“No, take it off, please. I want it off. Tommy, please take it off. TAKE IT OFF,” he was shouting now and hyperventilating. Tommy gently but firmly put his hands on either side of his arms. “I can’t do that, baby. I can loosen it for you, but I’m not gonna take it off,” he said, pulling Buck to his chest and hugging him. “Just breathe, baby. You’re ok.”
Buck continued to throw his mini tantrum but Tommy was able to comfort him and help him through it, rubbing his back soothingly, and eventually he calmed down, just resting his head on Tommy’s shoulder.
Bobby was able to distract everyone from staring at Buck and started piling food on plates while they gave them space. Buck kept pleading with Tommy. Tommy looked at his watch. “It’s actually time for a dose of pain meds, Ev. Let's get you something to eat so you can take one.” Tommy said. “I don’t want one, I feel fine,” Buck said. “I know you do, because we’re managing your pain and staying on top of it so that you don’t have to feel it,” Tommy said, taking his chin in his hand. “You look exhausted, babe. I think you needed that nap.”
Bobby came over with a plate for Buck and smiled. “Listen to Tommy, take your meds, kid.”
Tommy made him sit down on one of the bar stools and eat a few bites white he got him a pill and watched him take it. Then he walked Buck over to the table so they could sit down with everyone else. Things got back to normal and they made conversation and laughed at Chim and Jee doing a dance they made up.
After a while, Buck’s eyes started getting heavy. The meds were kicking in and since he hadn’t napped today they were really kicking his butt. Eddie kicked Tommy’s leg under the table and nodded towards Buck when Tommy looked up at him confused. Tommy turned to look at his boyfriend who was struggling to hold his eyes open. His head was starting to bob a little bit and Tommy reached over and caught it for him before it hit his chest. Eddie hid his laugh by taking a drink of his beer and shaking his head. Tommy grabbed Bucks chair and scooted it closer to him so that their chairs were touching, putting his arm around him. He guided Buck’s head carefully to lean against his shoulder as a pillow. Buck tried to jerk his head up but Tommy cupped his cheek and kissed his forehead, forcing his head back down against his shoulder. “Shh, it’s ok, baby. Just rest,” he said softly against his head.