Still thinking about Twisted Metal kinda post apocalyptic world AU
Buck knows his way across the country and he's good at making himself useful, good at flirting and bartering, but he's not good at protecting himself when it comes to violence.
Enter Tommy, who is not only good at fighting physically, he's a crack shot and he's very good at taking care of cars. They form a pact - Buck drives them them, Tommy keeps them safe, they earn credits together making trades and deliveries.
What they're not good at is keeping this a professional relationship.
The second time they are stuck in a Watkins storm, Tommy asks why not get Eddie instead and Buck takes it the wrong way, saying that he's sick of Tommy's inferiority complex.
Tommy very bitchily points out that other than the car maintenance, Eddie can do everything else Tommy does, so Buck also points out that Eddie has Chris to worry about, while as a bachelor Buck is more...
"Disposable?" Tommy supplies, almost emotionlessly. "Like I am?"
"Because if I have to die, I'd rather die with the man I love most in the world than die alone wishing I had the chance to kiss you again."
Stuck in the storm, they have to sit with the realization that they are with the only person who would miss them like a heartbeat if either of them dies. Because everyone else has their people. It's past the end of the world, and here they are: they chose each other to live and die with.
They laugh about it. Then they cry about it. Then they make love about it.
They tear across what's left of the states, taking turns to drive, making friends and allies along the way, keeping well clear of the weirdos and cults, until they find a lovely little abandoned holiday cottage in New England.
That is where they finally stop and build a life together. They don't try to get word back to Buck's family; too risky to do so, and besides, the second Buck decided to be a milkman it was pretty evident he would die outside the walled cities, so let them think he's dead.
"They didn't try to dissuade me," Buck tells Tommy one night when they're lying on the roof to look at the stars. "They just said they hope I can survive. But they didn't try to keep me safe."
Tommy holds him close. "Do you know why I didn't turn you down when you asked me to come with you?"
"That. And if you die out here when there was something I could have done, I would've shot myself in the head. And no one else would give a shit." He kisses Buck. "We're here now. We'll outlast this."
No artificial lights here means the skies are super pretty. Buck is good at thinking on his feet and creating all kinds of traps. It's easy to see and hear if anyone tries to sneak onto their land. And Tommy's a crack shot, even in the dark.
They're here now. They'll outlast this.
