Cat-dad Tommy is back for Hera-verse! I got inspired by one of my own cats as I woke up this morning, so I hope you'll enjoy some sweet, domestic fluff between our favorite idiot (affectionate) men!
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It wasn't unusual for Tommy to get out of bed early in the morning to see Evan moving around inside his kitchen, apron an all.
It wasn't the ideal way Tommy had wanted to wake up. Not when their shifts had been miraculously alligned enough for them to be able to spend their morning together, but he also knew that when inspiration hit his boyfriend, there was no stopping him from experimenting with yet another recipe. And sure, maybe Tommy did feel a little bit pouty about it. He had had plans. Plans that hadn't involved getting out of bed or involved clothes if he could help it.
Evan was too focused on measuring some ingredients to take notice of Tommy, but Hera, who had been observing Evan from her favorite barstool by the counter, had at least noticed and let out a happy chirping sound as he walked in, tail raised and forming a hook over her head as she pushed her face into her owner's hand in greeting. The orange parser had been a joyful addition to his household and quick to steal both his and Evan's hearts, and now he simply couldn't imagine a life without her.
He gave the feline a few loving pets before making his way over to his hard-working boyfriend, plastering himself over his back as he deserved for being abandoned in bed so early in the morning.
"Tommy, h-hey! Morning."
Tommy only grunts in response, which at least earns him a sweet peck on his cheek. "This wasn't on the morning agenda," he complains against the back of his boyfriend's neck where his voice gets muffled against his warm skin there. Tommy makes sure to press a few extra kisses there to emphasize the point he is trying to make.
"This'll be my last batch. I promise." Tommy huffs and places a few more kisses on Evan's neck before eyeing Evan's latest baked creations resting on one of the pans. They all look like mini-cookies, all rolled into what looks like mini-sticks of some kind. Something made for Jee-Yun, Tommy figures and reaches for one of the cookies to take a bite out of it.
Evan makes a protesting noise just as he does, and Tommy doesn't need to know why, because he regrets taking the bite as soon as he does. Steps out of Evan's space and splutters out the awful taste of whatever it is his boyfriend has just made.
"Evan. Honey. I hate to say it, but you cannot serve that and expect raving reviews," he says honestly and wrinkles his nose in distaste. He can still feel the taste of whatever it was violating his taste buds and bee-lines for the coffee pot that is thankfully full.
Evan is, of course, having the time of his life with this. Standing with his knuckles gripping the edge of the counter with his head bent down and his shoulders shaking as he's laughing at Tommy's misfortune. Tommy frowns at him in return over the cup of his coffee as he takes a sip to wash away the vile taste of Evan's latest creation.
"The recipe isn't meant for humans, Tommy," Evan then informs him, followed by more snickering.
Tommy still glower at him for laughing, but also for not warning him in time. "Yeah, no human can eat that," he agrees. "What the hell, Evan."
Evan pushes himself away from the counter to approach Tommy, arms slipping around his waist. "I should have warned you sooner," he says apologetically as Tommy's traitorous arms wraps around his boyfriend. "We're all out on treats for Hera, so I, uhโฆ I looked up some recipes. For cat treats. I found one that I wanted to try, so that's what I've been doing all morning."
"You made treats for Hera," Tommy repeats, feeling his heart swelling with unfathomable joy inside his chest as the little annoyance he felt over his own unfortune slips away. Evan had gotten up in the godawful early hours to make treats for his cat.
"I hope that's okay! I know you buy this specific brand, and I made sure it's grain free and healthy forโ"
Tommy kisses him. Just a soft pressure of lips pressing against his and pouring his love and affection into it, which makes Evan melt against him.
"You woke up and made treats for Hera because we're all out. Only you would do that, Evan," Tommy says fondly and presses another kiss to the corner of his lips. "Of course it's okay."
Evan's eyes does that happy glint Tommy adores so much as his face flushes and smile widens. "Yeah? Good. Because she's been giving me raving reviews when tasting the samples."
Tommy huffs softly and looks over at the now sleeping cat. "I'll let her have it."
"I am almost done here," Evan then tells him. "So, uhโฆ Maybe go shower. And go back to bed. As soon as I'm done here, we're going back to morning agenda as planned, and that's a promise."
tagged by this lovely @birdboybuckley <3 I decided to post a snippet of 'can't get enough (despite not having you)', I talked about in this in a wip game, and I posted another snippet before (read it here). this is quite a few steps ahead of the story but it's from a part that goes slower, before everything (sort of) goes to hell.
np tagging you back jamie and @userundecided @sad-girl-hours23 @queermccoy @epiphainie @exhaustedpirate @gaytommykinard and anyone also who sees this mwah.
Buck picked up a white shirt and threw it at Tommy, who in return gave him a murderous glance before putting it on, which made Buck mourn the lack of exposed skin. He then simply shrugged at Tommy and went back to look for something for himself, he had his mind set on some cotton shorts and maybe a sweater, he just had toโ
โWait wait, Whatโs this?โ Tommyโs voice interrupted his thoughts, and Buck followed the arm to see what even had called his attention.
Just his pink cardigan, which Buck didnโt understand why would it surprise Tommy it wasnโt like he never woreโ
โOh! yeah I bought a little after you dโโ he forced a cough, a nervous laugh making its way out, โsorry, what was Iโฆ?โ
โThat you bought it some time afterโฆ something.โ Buck didnโt want to believe he was seeing things, because the way Tommy looked even mesmerized by the cardigan, holding onto the soft fabric and almost caressing it.
It made something in Buckโs heart warm up.
Which was also a bit silly to him, since it was just a piece of clothing. A pretty comfy piece of clothing.
โY-yeah I mean, it was a bit expensive but otherwise, I donโt regret buying it, itโs pretty. I do think weโre in the season for me to put it on every once in a while again.โ Buck said, smiling a little to himself.
โWould you?โ
The question made Buck still, and he looked at Tommy with a confused expression. Of course he would, he just said it.
โWhat do you mean?โ
โPut it on now, for me,โ it seemed as if Tommy realized how it came out, because just like Buck he threw in a cough so forced it was even worse than that fake mouth static he once did. โI mean, if you want to wear it, do it, I justโฆ wanted to see it on you.โ
Ohโฆ Oh!
That made Buck smile, so tender and precious he was beaming like the sun. He breath out an โOkayโ and almost tripped as he quickly took and put on the black shorts he thought of wearing a couple of minutes ago. He grabbed the cardigan from Tommyโs hands, their fingertips brushing for a moment that was gone as soon as it came, and proceeded to put it on.
He made sure everything was in the right place and stretched his arms out for a second before looking back at Tommy, who was staring at him.
Buck barely even remembered the last time anyone had looked at him like that.
โIs thisโฆ Do I looโโ
โEvan, you are so pretty,โ Tommy said, and Buck felt himself blush at the awe in Tommyโs voice.
As much as he wanted to pretend it was just a compliment, Tommy rarely talked to him like that. Not that he never received a compliment like that from him or anyone before, not at all, it was justโฆ it felt like a filter was turned off and he was bearing witness to a thought that otherwise Tommy would be too conscious to say like that.
Summary: Tommy plans on spending New Year's Eve on his own. Buck has other ideas.
Excerpt:
Tommy debated over the two dips in his hands for all of five seconds before adding them to the ever-growing collection in his cart. He was alone again for New Yearโs Eve. Nobody could judge him for Oliver Putnam-ing his way through it.
Literally no one.
He added another dip to the pile.
โNow we need carbs,โ he muttered to himself. Dip vehicles. Because eating them all with a spoon would just be sad. Sadder.
Tommy gripped his cart and headed for the chip aisle with a sigh. Nachos for sure. Something load-bearing. Ooh, and some ripple chips. Andโ
He stopped short at the start of the aisle, somehow never prepared for this, for running into each other even thoughย Evanย Buck had been moved into the same neighbourhood for a couple of months now. Long enough for this to keep happening.
Buck glanced up, a smile spreading across his face when he spotted Tommy, waving him over.
And forย thisย to keep happening. Them. Being friends. Friendly.
happy new year, I accidentally wrote a follow up to my Thanksgiving ficletโฆ rated M!
โSo, any big plans for tonight?โ asks Maddie, with that particular knowing big sister tone of hers.
โNo, uh, not really,โ says Buck.
โReally? I thought maybe you and Ravi would be going out. You know, the cool young guys, hitting the fun bars and parties!โ
โIโm not really feeling it this year,โ he says. I havenโt been feeling it for a while, he doesnโt say. Thatโs not me anymore.
But sheโs trying โ theyโre both trying. Buck is trying to communicate better, Maddie is trying to be more tuned in. She had noticed how subdued he was at Thanksgiving, and had reached out a few days later, asking if everything was okay. It wasnโt, not remotely; Buck was selective when he shared what was bothering him with his sister, but she was apologetic, and since then theyโve been setting aside time for just the two of them to catch up and connect. And itโs fine! Itโs going fine.
He hasnโt told her about Tommy. Heโs really not sure how to.
โOh, okay!โ Maddie says, just a hair too bright. โHonestly, sometimes the best holidays are when you stay in and do nothing! Oh, did I tell you what the playgroup at the library does? We took Jee and she loved it. Itโs a countdown to noon, and they do the whole thing: balloon drop, noisemakersโฆโ
She chatters on, and Buck stirs the bowl of soup cooling in front of him.
The fact is, he and Tommy are going out for New Yearโs Eve. The bar where they do karaoke trivia โ the gay bar where they do gay karaoke trivia โ is hosting a big, splashy event. Thereโs going to be drag queens and dancing and (for them) boatloads of champagne and (for other people) mind altering substances.
Itโs not often that Tommy wants to get dolled up and go out on the town, but when he does, he commits. Thereโs a leather harness and an honest-to-God pair of chaps in his closet at home. A little hair gel, his nice cologne, and gleaming pair of heavy black boots that only come out on special occasions. And for Buck, body glitter and a loose mesh tank top and the tiniest pair of shorts heโs ever seen.
(โItโs the legs,โ Tommy had said with a predatory gleam in his eye. โI want to show off your legs.โ
โOh yeah?โ Buck had asked, biting the inside of his cheek. โYou want to show off my legs?โ
โFuck yes I do,โ Tommy had said, and proceeded to prove very thoroughly how much he appreciated Buck's legs.)
Buck and Maddie finish their lunch and hug goodbye, wish each other a happy new year. Buck sends his love to Chim and the kids. It is better, he tells himself as he drives away. Itโs not what it used to be โ maybe it never will be again โ but itโs not what it was a few months ago, when he was so bogged down in grief and loneliness that he felt like he was never going to come up for air. Maybe in the new year, heโll tell them about Tommy; about just how much itโs meant that Buck has him in his corner. Maybe in the new year, some of the new compartments heโs formed in his life will start to run over into each other again.
But for now, he hugs his sister goodbye and drives to his boyfriendโs house, without telling his sister heโs driving to his boyfriendโs house.
When he gets there, Tommy is working out in the garage. Buck knows heโs getting ahead of whatโs sure to be the excesses of the evening (and knows, also, that if his pecs pop just a little bit extra under that leather harness, thatโs just a nice side effect).
โHey, baby. Ten, fifteen more minutes and Iโm done,โ Tommy says from the mat where heโs doing pushups.
โDonโt hurry on my account,โ says Buck, hopping up onto the workbench and leering obnoxiously in Tommyโs direction.
Tommy rolls his eyes, but Buck can tell heโs preening through his cool down stretches, just a little bit. When heโs finished, he comes over and insinuates himself between Buck's legs, big hands heavy on his thighs.
โHi,โ Buck says, and kisses him hello, deliberately deep and dirty.
โHi yourself,โ Tommy says eventually, a little breathless. โHow was lunch?โ
โFine. Kinda boring. Seems like everyone is doing good, though. It was nice to wear the brother costume for a little while.โ
When theyโd gotten back together there had been lots of long, uncomfortable conversations โ about them, about their pasts. All the things theyโd never talked about before. Tommy had told him how often it felt like he was wearing a costume โ the uniform, the flight suit, the Henleys and normie jeans, even the leather: they were all just different aspects he could put on and take off. Heโd told Buck that heโd never found someone with whom he could take off all the costumes and just beโฆ himself. Buck had liked the concept; it tickled something familiar in his brain. They talked a lot now about the different costumes they wore. What they meant, what they were good for. It wasnโt bad, to wear a costume. You just had to know when you were doing it and when you werenโt.
โGood.โ Tommy doesnโt press for more. Itโs one of Buckโs favorite things about him: that heโs learned to strike such a good balance between pushing and trusting. Buck kisses him about it again, just because he can. โLet me jump in the shower and then we can eat something and get ready?โ
โOr,โ Buck says, and hooks his fingers in the sweat-damp band of Tommyโs gym shorts, and wraps his legs around Tommyโs waist, and buries his face in Tommyโs fragrant armpit.
They fuck right there on the mat, quick and dirty, and Tommy leaves red handprints on the tops of Buckโs thighs where theyโll peek out from the hem of his tiny shorts. They fuck again in the back room of the bar just before midnight, music thumping, appreciative eyes on them as Tommy plants his boots and Buckโs tongue lolls out of his mouth, and make it back to the dance floor just in time for the countdown.
They fuck once more after they get home, with the grey-blue light of January dawn just barely streaking across the sky, tender and naked, costumes and pretenses abandoned on the bedroom floor.
โHappy New Year,โ Buck says as they drift to sleep, exhausted and sticky and deliriously, glitteringly happy.
โHappy New Year,โ Tommy mumbles back. โThink itโs gonnโ be thโ best year everโฆโ
The team at the 118 had just wrapped up their best week in months, and everyone was damn near giddy about it, laughing and joking in the locker room like they used to before Bobby died.
"We should go out!" Buck had suggested, slamming his locker, a big grin on his face. "We should hit that karaoke bar downtown and really let loose."
And everyone had been down. Karen and Hen already had a babysitter for the night, and the Lee's were chomping at the bit for a night with kids, so Chimney had texted Maddie and told her the plan. Eddie had called Chris and told him to make sure his homework was done and his room was clean, then he could play video games until he was ready to go to bed. Ravi had thrown an arm around Buck's shoulders as they walked out, already discussing what they should sing when they got there.
And they were having fun. Chimney and Maddie had sang Islands in the Stream, Buck and Ravi had belted Could've Been Me, and even Karen and Hen had gotten in on it with Take Me or Leave Me. Buck had dared Chimney, who had in turn dared Ravi, to put Eddie's name in to do Pink Pony Club, and while he had been nervous at first because he wasnt quite drunk enough, he'd got up and done it. Things had finally felt like they were falling back into place.
Then Buck had frozen with his drink halfway to his mouth. Tommy was across the bar with his own group of friends, and he hadn't seen them yet. Until he did.
So now Buck was pouting in the corner with two empty shot glasses in front of him. He and Tommy were throwing longing glances at each other when the other wasn't looking, and Chimney was pissed off. The vibe was dying, and he wasn't having it.
"We have to do something," He muttered to Hen. She raised an eyebrow.
"Like what? Lock them in the closet and not let out until they talk or kill each other?"
"That's an idea," Chimney nodded. "Or..." His eyes flashed over to the stage and back to Hen.
"Ohhh," She nodded. They got up and put their plan into action. Hen put their names and the song in while Chimney went over and convinced Tommy that he just had to do a couple of shots with him for saving his life and all, as a thank you.
A few more people preformed and Chim and Hen eventually found their way to their table.
"What did you do?" Karen asked suspiciously.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Hen said, sipping her drink.
"You two have that look," Maddie said. "Someone's in for it."
"For our next performance," the emcee interrupted, "please welcome to the stage, Buck and Tommy."
Several heads shot up. Buck and Tommy looked horrified, Eddie looked confused, and Ravi looked like he was praying strength.
"You didn't," Maddie said, watching as her brother begrudgingly pushed himself away from the bar. Tommy started walking too, meeting him halfway and murmuring something in his ear. Buck shook his head and went up on the stage, grabbing a mic and walking to the far end. Tommy followed suit, fidgeting with buttons on his shirt as they waited for the music to start.
"Someone needed to step in. They're too stupid to do to themselves."
"And this was your big plan?" Karen asked. "What song did you even pick?"
The music started then. The table watched as Buck took a deep breath and turned to Tommy, bringing the mic up to mouth.
"Baby, you come knocking on my front door," He sang, rapping his fist on Tommy's chest. The other man almost smiled.
"Same old line you used to use before
That's the game well, what am I supposed to do?
I didn't know what I was getting into"
Tommy brought his own mic up to join in, smirking at Buck through the lines.
"So you've had a little trouble in town
Now you're keeping some demons down
Stop draggin' my, stop draggin' my
Stop draggin' my heart around "
The crowd cheered for them, but the 118 table was watching their faces intensely. Buck was glaring at the older man, singing the next verse with intention rather than just for fun.
"It's hard to think about what you wanted
It's hard to think about what you lost,"
Tommy cut in.
"This doesn't have to be the big get even"
Buck pushed him a little, keeping his hand on his chest
"This doesn't have to be anything at all."
"I know you really want to tell me goodbye,
I know you really want to be your own girl"
"Baby, you could never look me in the eye
Yeah, you buckle with the weight of the words
Stop draggin' my, stop draggin' my-
Stop draggin' my heart around."
Buck pulled away from Tommy, walking across the stage again to dance with music. Tommy watched him, slowly moving closer as the guitar solo continued. The crowd was eating it up. Chimeny looked over at Maddie. She still looked worried, but she met his eyes and nodded. On stage, Tommy put his hand on Buck's shoulder and made him face him.
"There are people running 'round loose in the world, Ain't got nothing better to do
Than make a meal of some bright-eyed kid
You need someone looking after you."
"I know you really want to tell me goodbye"
"I know you really want to be your own girl"
The energy between them shifted, and Buck moved closer to Tommy, invading his space as the song drew to a close.
"Baby, you could never look me in the eye
Yeah, you buckle with the weight of the words
Stop draggin' my, stop draggin' my-
Stop draggin' my heart around."
The rest of the song played out without them as Buck grabbed Tommy's face and kissed him. The crowd cheered, and Ravi jumped up, pumping his fist in the air. Hen silently pushed a fifty dollar bill across the table at him. Eddie was red up to the tips of his ears, sipping his beer and pointedly looking anywhere but the stage. Maddie looked scandalized as the emcee had to peel her baby brother off of the other man to get his mics back. Chimney and Hen high fived under the table.
"I think I need a cigarette," Karen joked, fanning herself.
"I don't think you'll be the only one," Hen said, nodding to where Buck and Tommy were sliding out the side door of the bar, Bucks hand fisted in Tommy's shirt.
When they eventually returned to the table, their hair was wrecked, and Tommy had a red mark rising on his collarbone. They were both flushed and grinning wolfishly at each other.
"Who do I have to thank for that?" Tommy asked, taking a long drink of the beer Ravi put in front of him. Maddie and Karen exchanged a look.
Ok no one asked but imagine Buck does go out on a date with someone who is basically Tommy Redux in looks and he tries so hard to have a good time with Redux on the date but Redux is like "you're here with me but you aren't here with me" and Buck's like no I'm totally here but Redux goes "you can't forget your ex" and Buck is like "I'm sorry" and then Redux goes "call him now and tell him that you can't get over him" and Buck goes "I can't" and Redux is like "what, did he block you?" so Buck has to say "no he didn't but I don't know what to say and I don't think he wants me anymore" and Redux rolls his eyes takes Buck's phone and calls Tommy and says "your man needs a good time so if you don't come to get him I'll take him home" and tells Tommy the address and Buck is horrified by the prospect that Tommy won't show but Tommy does and he's panting hard and Redux arches a very bitchy eyebrow like "he wants you so bad you absolute buffoon " before he pats Tommy on the pec and says "he's an idiot who is still pining over you yet giving us false hope so please do all of us a favor and keep him" and Buck asks "why did you come?" to which Tommy goes "you call and I come, that's how this works" and then he asks "are you okay?" and Buck hugs him and Tommy tilts his face up for a kiss a la their first kiss and Buck says "I have a new place" and Tommy's squinting like "it's not your coworker's I hope" and Buck goes "no it's mine even though the squatter in the attic tried to run me off" and that gets him the Tommy "huh?" face but yes Tommy agrees to drive Buck home and we get them kissing as they enter again but Tommy says "show me the tour tomorrow" and they are smiling as Buck leads Tommy into the bedroom and next morning they're in the kitchen with Buck plastered to Tommy's back as Tommy makes breakfast and they never ever break up again
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