Buck leaned his head back against the wall, wishing once more that his boyfriend hadn't been injured in the line of duty. Unfortunately, they knew all too well the dangers of their job and while terrified for Tommy's safety, he knew it'd happen again (and that he'd likely be next, considering their luck). He grabbed Tommy's hand and lightly squeezed it. "I'm here and am not going anywhere," he assured his boyfriend, his voice cracking. He winced.
One of the nurses came in to check on Tommy, departing within minutes and saying goodbye to Buck on their way out. Buck sat and waited, somewhat impatiently and fearfully. Fortunately, Tommy came to with a groan about an hour and a half later.
"Ow," he complained.
Buck laughed as he pressed the button to alert someone to the fact that his boyfriend was now wide awake and in a bit of pain. "Relax, you're safe now," he soothed him, running a finger down his arm (the mostly non-bruised one, thankfully).
Tommy shifted around, trying to get comfortable, and then finally gave up just as the nurse came back in. "Well, I hope to never crash a plane again," he deadpanned.
"Thomas," he chided.
"Evan," he shot back, hissing in pain when the nurse accidentally touched one of the numerous bruises littering his body.
She apologized and then went on her way, explaining that a doctor would be by to check in on him as soon as possible. Buck sat back down in his chair, unsurprised when Tommy held out his hand again. "You just want to hold my hand."
"Maybe I do," Tommy tried to flirt. He yawned, the exhaustion catching up to him. "I just spent several hours unconscious. This fucking sucks," he complained.
Buck clucked sympathetically. "I know. But you've been through a lot so you need to rest. I'll be right here by your side because I'm not fucking leaving you. You can't get rid of me that easily, Tommy Kinard."
Tommy flashed him a smile before another yawn overtook him. He glared, mostly at himself. "You can't get rid of me that easily either, Evan." He winked at him with his good eye. "Remind me not to try that again until I've healed."
Buck snorted. "Get some sleep, Tommy. I'll update our friends - via text because I'm not leaving this room - and then we'll figure out our next steps." He'd probably stay with Tommy once he was discharged, or take him back to the loft. They'd figure that out later.
"Love you," Tommy murmured, his eyes slipping shut.
"Love you too, Tommy." Buck would never tire of telling him that - or hearing it back. Sent a little chill down his spine every single time.
He breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to calm down for the first time since hearing that Tommy's plane went down. Buck texted the group chat to alert everyone in the waiting room - who also refused to leave until they knew Tommy was okay - that his boyfriend was awake and on the road to recovery.
Hopefully one of them would order out soon because the last thing either of them wanted to eat was hospital food, which their family was well aware of. It was probably already taken care of. So for the first time in hours, Buck sunk into the uncomfortable as hell hospital chair and closed his eyes to get a little bit of rest.
Sure enough, Maddie stepped in about an hour and a half later with delivery from one of their favorite restaurants, handed it over to Buck, gave a now awake Tommy a half hug, and then went on her way.
They'd probably spring Tommy soon, and Buck couldn't wait to take him home, wherever that was.