Joining the support group for veterans had been one of the best decisions Tommy had taken, followed only by leaving the 118 to join LAFD's air support and come out of the closet.
Not only was he able to talk about his time in service with people who understood, but he also gained a great friend. Eddie Diaz was another veteran in the LAFD, but the two of them had many things in common.
They went to car shows together and even went to Las Vegas once for a fight. After every meeting, they went to the gym to train Muay Thai and punch and kick their pent-up energy. Talking about their time in the army stirred up a lot of emotions. But the activity Tommy enjoyed the most was their bi-monthly basketball games. Especially since Chimney and his brother, Albert, joined Tommy and Eddie.
Catching up with Chimney had been a surprise, but one Tommy had welcomed gladly. Tommy did not even know Eddie's station was the 118. The world was changing!
As Tommy heard Chimney and Eddie tell stories over beers, Tommy realized how much things had changed. Chimney was a lieutenant, he was married, and had an adorable three-year-old daughter. Just from hearing them speak, Tommy could tell that the 118 had become a true family.
It made Tommy jealous.
Don't get him wrong! Tommy would never trade the air for anything, he was born to become a pilot. But he wished Bobby had been the captain during his time at the 118. Tommy's experience would have been totally different. Peer pressure and self-hatred had made him behave horribly, especially towards Wilson. Thankfully, she had accepted his apology, even if she was not ready to become friends with Tommy like Chimney had been quick to.
His previous behavior was the reason why Tommy was so nervous when he had been invited by Eddie, Chim, and even Albert to the 118 and co's monthly barbecue. It did not help matters that this month it was being hosted by Evan Buckley, who was Chimney's brother-in-law, could walk on water if you asked Albert, and was the best friend who co-parents with Eddie.
And Tommy did not even mean only Chris, no, he caught Eddie slipping a couple of times calling Danielle his daughter. Danielle was the most adorable one-year-old Tommy had ever seen. Unlike Chris, who Eddie had been introduced to him, as expected after a year of friendship, Tommy had yet to meet Elle. He has only seen her in pictures from Chimney of her with Jee, or in photos from Eddie of her with Chris. Her blonde curls, bright blue eyes, and bubbly smile had Tommy falling in love at first sight.
When Eddie mentioned that Evan looked just like her... well, it did not help Tommy's nerves.
As Tommy stood at the Buckley House porch face to face with the most beautiful man he had ever seen, Tommy knew he was irrevocably screwed.
"You must be Tommy! Hi! Come in," Evan, aka the most beautiful man Tommy had ever seen, greeted with a beaming smile, blond curls bouncing, and Tommy gulped as hard as he suddenly got the desire to run his fingers through those curls.
"Are they as soft as they look?"
Tommy's face flushed when he realized he had asked that out loud. His eyes widened as he turned to look at Evan panicking. Thankfully, Evan only laughed and looked down adorably shy. It made Tommy's heart skip a beat. No man that built and big should look that adorable. No wonder Hen called Evan a golden retriever, the few times she and Tommy spoke.
As Evan chuckled at Tommy's question, his cheeks tinted with a delicate shade of pink, adding to his already captivating allure. "Um, they're... uh, not as soft as they might appear," he replied, his voice slightly faltering with a shy charm that only made Tommy's heart race faster.
Tommy couldn't help but notice the way Evan's gaze flickered nervously, his blue eyes shimmering with a mixture of bashfulness and warmth. It was endearing, and Tommy found himself drawn to Evan even more.
Trying to ease the tension he inadvertently caused, Tommy flashed a sheepish grin. "Sorry, didn't mean to put you on the spot there. Just, uh, curious, you know?" He scratched the back of his neck, feeling a bit flustered himself.
Evan's smile widened, his demeanor softening even further. "No worries, Tommy. I'm just glad you're here." He gestured towards the cozy interior of the Buckley House, inviting Tommy to step inside.
As they entered, Tommy couldn't shake off the feeling of being completely enchanted by Evan's presence. It was as if every moment spent in his company was infused with a sense of warmth and comfort that Tommy hadn't known he was missing until now. As they slowly made their way towards the backyard where the barbecue was being held, Tommy found himself stealing glances at Evan whenever he thought the other man wasn't looking, admiring the way the soft glow of the room accentuated the delicate features of Evan's face.
Lost in his thoughts, Tommy almost jumped when he felt Evan's hand brush against his own, a subtle yet electrifying contact that sent a shiver down his spine. He looked up to find Evan's eyes fixed on him, a hint of vulnerability shining through the depths of his gaze.
"Sorry," Evan murmured, his cheeks flushing a deeper shade of pink. "I, uh, didn't mean to... I mean, I hope I'm not overstepping."
Tommy couldn't help but smile at Evan's adorable flustered state. Leaning closer, he reached out to gently tuck a loose strand of Evan's blond curls behind his ear. "You're not overstepping, Evan. If anything, I'm glad you did."
Evan's breath hitched at the intimate gesture, his eyes widening in surprise before a shy smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Oh," he whispered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm glad too."
The sudden interruption of the baby's cry broke the tender moment between Tommy and Evan, startling them both as if they were jolted back to reality from a beautiful dream. Evan's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he fumbled with the baby monitor, apologizing profusely to Tommy for the interruption.
Tommy, however, waved away Evan's apologies with a soft smile, understanding and compassion evident in his eyes. "It's alright, Evan. No need to apologize," he reassured, his voice gentle and reassuring.
When Evan turned to Tommy with a grateful smile, silently asking for help with Danielle, Tommy nodded eagerly, his heart brimming with affection. Together, they made their way upstairs to Danielle's bedroom.
As Evan cradled Danielle in his arms, Tommy couldn't tear his gaze away from the sight before him. The way Evan's eyes sparkled with love and adoration as he sang softly to his daughter, the gentle rhythm of his voice lulling her back to sleep. If Tommy had been charmed by Evan before, he was hopelessly gone for Evan now.
As Danielle finally drifted off to sleep, Evan carefully laid her down in her crib, tucking her in with a gentle touch. Turning to face Tommy, he offered a sheepish smile. "Sorry again about that," he murmured, his cheeks flushed with a rosy hue.
Tommy shook his head, a tender smile gracing his lips. "No need to apologize, Evan. It was actually quite... enchanting."
Evan's smile widened at the compliment, a soft glow of gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thanks, Tommy. I really appreciate your help."
As they made their way back downstairs, Tommy couldn't shake off the overwhelming sense of contentment that washed over him. Being with Evan felt effortless, like slipping into a warm embrace after a long day.
Eddie's amused cough snapped them back to the present, starling Evan and Tommy, who reluctantly pulled away from each other, their tender moment shattered by Eddie's interruption, Tommy couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. Tommy couldn't suppress a sheepish grin as he met Eddie's teasing gaze.
As Eddie leaned back against the armrest of the couch, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips, he teased his best friend gently. "Come on, Buck, you're the host here. You can't disappear from us like that," he chided in a light-hearted tone, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Evan's cheeks flushed with a deep crimson hue, and he offered a sheepish apology. "Sorry, Eddie. I got a little carried away there," he admitted, his voice tinged with embarrassment as he glanced between Eddie and Tommy.
With a reassuring smile, Eddie waved off Evan's apology. "No worries, Buck. Go on, tend to your guests," he said, giving Evan a playful nudge towards the backyard.
Evan nodded gratefully, flashing a bashful smile at Tommy before making his way towards the glass door. Tommy watched him go, feeling a swell of affection and admiration for the man who had captured his heart in such a short amount of time.
Eddie arched an eyebrow, a playful smirk playing on his lips. "Buck? Really?" he quipped, his tone laced with amusement. "I present you to my best friend, and you can't stop yourself from being a flirt."
Tommy's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red at the teasing, but he couldn't help but smirk back. "Can you blame me?" he replied, his voice laced with a hint of cockiness. "Evan is... breathtaking."
Eddie raised an eyebrow at the use of Buck's birth name, before he chuckled at Tommy's response, shaking his head in amusement. "Yeah, he's got that effect on people," he admitted, his tone fond. His expression hardened, his playful demeanor giving way to a more serious one as he regarded Tommy. "Just be careful, okay?" he said, his voice tinged with genuine concern. "Buck's been through a lot, and I don't want to see him get hurt."
Tommy's smirk faded, replaced by a solemn expression as he met Eddie's gaze. "I promise, Eddie. If I choose to pursue Evan, I'll take it seriously," he vowed, his tone firm and resolute. "I won't do anything to break his heart."
Eddie nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Good," he said, his voice filled with quiet approval. "Because Buck and Elle deserve someone who will cherish them, someone who will be there for them through thick and thin."
"That they do," Tommy agreed, holding Eddie's stare.
Eddie then stood up and clapped Tommy on the back. "Good! I like you, man, and I would have hated to help Athena get rid of your body." Tommy laugh stopped when he realized that Eddie had not been joking, and the pilot gulped hard in nervousness. "Now, come! I'll present you to everyone!"