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It's been a few weeks since Buck and Tommy were able to just...talk, with no expectations and no attacks. Tommy laid everything on the table, and then so did Buck. It was kind of nice, Buck has to admit. To talk it through and understand more, to truly understand why.
And he does. Tommy explained things extremely well, and he was patient and understanding when Buck explained his own side. And now they're friends. Which is so strange for Buck. He never expected to actually stay friends with an ex. According to Hen, though, this is a queer right of passage. So Buck supposes that's something cool.
It was definitely awkward at first, even after the talk. How do you casually talk to a guy you've had sexually? Who you've seen naked and sweaty and also on occasion, really, really sad.
They pushed through it, though, after a few times just getting coffee together and hanging, they got through it. Now the awkwardness has gone, and Buck has a new friend. That he can talk about guys with. He's never had that before. Sure, he could have tried to talk about them with Maddie, but also...no thanks. He knows her type, and he'd rather not tell her that he wants a man to pin him down and do unspeakable things to him.
Buck's just telling Tommy about this guy he saw in the gym whose muscles he kind of wants to lick. Tommy gives him a knowing look over his coffee cup, different from the ones he used to give. But still, oh, so knowing, and a bit better, actually. He likes them as friends.
"What?" Buck asks, feeling a little playfully defensive. He's had a sexual awakening, okay? Of course, he's going to be a little crazy about it.
"Oh, nothing." Tommy hums, looking into his coffee with a casual air about him. He grins at Buck's squinty glare. "Buck, darling...I am aware of your preferences. Very aware, actually."
Buck snorts a laugh and flicks an empty wrapper at Tommy. Tommy dodges it easily and levels Buck with a flat look, but even his most unimpressed look can't hide the upward twitch of his lips.
"Let me be horny, okay. I've got many new experiences to experience!"
"I'm not judging!"
"I feel like you are, though."
"Okay, maybe a little. But it's affectionate judging."
"Gee, I feel so much better with that knowledge."
"As you should."
It feels easy. A friendship with Tommy and...maybe this is how it should have been from the start? Although the new experiences he had were good and he liked learning new things. Tommy was a great teacher. He was also annoying.
They're meeting up again a few weeks later, at a coffee shop again. It's become their usual.
"So...Eddie's coming back." Tommy casually says, and there's that look again. Buck is starting to hate that look.
"Yeah, he is."
"And what are you doing about it?" He has an eyebrow raised, judging yet gentle.
"Throw a party?" Buck feels a little sweaty actually, hot under the collar. Is it hot? It's a hot day, right?
"Anything else?" And oh, Buck does not like that tone or the implications.
"Tommy." His tone is...its not harsh, but it's not really kind either. Tommy seems to soften a little, shoulders relaxing as he sighs softly.
"Okay, you're right. Not my business." He holds his hands up in surrender, and Buck feels himself relax as well, shifting in his seat. "Can I give the smallest advice? From one queer to another." Buck stays silent, but his expression reads 'go on'. "You have something special with Eddie. Whether it's romantic or not, it's special. Hell, I could see that from the moment I met you both. The second time, not in the helicopter. You don't find that often. Especially us." His looks is so...open and honest, raw and a little damaged underneath and Buck is reminded that there was a time where Tommy wasn't safe to just be himself.
"So, hold on to it. To whatever parts of it, whatever label it takes. Seize it, grab it. And never, you hear me? Never let it go." He's animated as he talks, pointing at Buck as he says 'never'. The words are nice to hear, reminds Buck of his bond with Eddie.
And Tommy's right. Whether or not he's in love with Eddie doesn't actually matter. What does matter is that Eddie's his best friend, who's been by his side through thick and thin. They've seen each other through the worst of it all, seen each other at their lowest. Nothing can break that.
"Thanks, Tommy."
"Anytime, Evan."