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The call had been a rough one—a multi-car pileup on the 405, with Tommy’s chopper grounded due to high winds, forcing him to assist on the ground with the 118. He’d been helping extricate a driver when a sudden shift in the wreckage sent a car door swinging into his shoulder with a sickening pop. Tommy gritted his teeth, waved off Hen’s concern, and kept working until the last victim was free. It wasn’t until they were back at the station that he admitted, through a tight jaw, that his shoulder was “maybe a little messed up.”
Now, in the ER, Tommy sat on a gurney, his arm in a sling, his face pale but relaxed thanks to the painkillers dripping through his IV. Buck was out in the waiting room, filling out paperwork and pacing like a caged animal, while Eddie sat beside Tommy, keeping an eye on him. The hospital room was quiet, save for the hum of machines and Tommy’s occasional, loopy hum.
“You good, man?” Eddie asked, leaning back in the chair, one eyebrow raised as Tommy stared dreamily at the ceiling.
“Sooo good,” Tommy slurred, his head lolling toward Eddie. “They gave me the good stuff. Feel like I’m floatin’ on a cloud. Like… like a helicopter cloud.” He giggled, then winced, his good hand hovering near his sling.
Eddie snorted, shaking his head. “Yeah, you’re definitely high. Just don’t start singing or something.”
Tommy’s eyes widened, like Eddie had given him a brilliant idea. “I could sing. About Evan. Oh, man, Eddie…” He trailed off, his voice softening, his gaze distant. “Evan’s… he’s the best. Like, the best. You know?”
Eddie leaned forward, sensing something juicy. “Oh, I know he’s a lot. Tell me more.”
Tommy’s face lit up, his words spilling out in a dreamy rush. “He’s… he’s the love of my life, Eddie. Like, I didn’t even know I could feel this way ‘til him. He’s all… messy and loud and so damn good. His heart’s so big, you know? Makes me wanna be better. Makes me wanna… I dunno, marry him someday. Build a life. Maybe get a dog. Or two dogs. Big ones, so he can wrestle ‘em.”
Eddie’s grin widened, and he subtly pulled out his phone, hitting record. “Go on, keep talking. Buck’s the love of your life, huh?”
“Yesss," Tommy said, dragging out the word like it was a revelation. “He’s my person. Like, I’d fly into a hurricane for him. I’d crash and burn and still be like, ‘Worth it, ‘cause it’s Evan.’ You can’t tell him, though. S’secret. Gotta… gotta plan the perfect proposal first. Maybe in the chopper. Or on a beach. He loves beaches.”
Eddie bit his lip to keep from laughing, the phone still recording. “Don’t worry, my lips are sealed. But you’re serious? You’re in deep, huh?”
Tommy nodded, his eyes half-closed but shining with sincerity. “So deep. I’m gone, man. He’s it. Forever. Don’t let him ever leave me, Eddie. You gotta promise. You and the 118, you’ll… you’ll hate him forever if he breaks my heart, right?”
“Oh, absolutely,” Eddie said, barely containing his amusement. “We’d never forgive him. You’re family now, Kinard.”
“Good,” Tommy mumbled, his head dropping back against the pillow. “Family… love that.”
The door swung open, and Buck barreled in, his face a mix of worry and relief. “Tommy, you okay? They said it’s a dislocation, but you’ll be fine with PT and rest. I was losing my mind out there—”
“Evan!” Tommy’s face lit up like a kid on Christmas, his good arm reaching out. “My favorite person! C’mere!”
Buck blinked, thrown by the enthusiasm, but he crossed the room, letting Tommy pull him into an awkward, one-armed hug. “Okay, big guy, you’re clearly feeling no pain,” Buck said, chuckling as he brushed a hand through Tommy’s hair. “Let’s get you home soon, yeah?”
Eddie stood, pocketing his phone with a smirk. “I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it. Tommy, rest up. Buck, don’t let him propose to any nurses while he’s loopy.”
“Propose?” Buck asked, confused, but Eddie just winked and slipped out.
Later that night, Buck’s phone buzzed as he helped Tommy into bed at their apartment. Tommy was still a little out of it, mumbling about “helicopter clouds” as he drifted off. Buck opened the text from Eddie—a video file with the caption: "Don’t ever let him go, Buck. Or we’ll all hate you forever! Tommy's words not mine!"
Curious, Buck plugged in his earbuds and played the video. His eyes widened as Tommy’s voice filled his ears, confessing that Buck was the love of his life, rambling about marriage and dogs and flying into hurricanes. Buck’s heart did a somersault, a grin spreading across his face as he listened to Tommy’s drugged-up devotion. By the time Eddie’s voice promised eternal 118 wrath, Buck was laughing, tears prickling his eyes.
He glanced at Tommy, now snoring softly, his sling a stark contrast to his peaceful expression. Buck leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. “You’re stuck with me, Kinard,” he whispered. “Forever.”
In the morning, he’d tease Tommy mercilessly about his confession. Maybe even drop a hint that he’d say yes to that beach proposal. But for now, Buck just curled up beside him, his phone still glowing with Eddie’s text, and let the warmth of Tommy’s words settle deep in his chest.