IOU
Tommy is at a bar alone, trying to take his mind off unexpected breakup, when someone spills their drink on his favorite shirt. Desperate to repay the favor in full, the young man feels the need to overcompensate for his mistake by roping Tommy into some "not a date" excursions.
(also on ao3)
Tommy arrived at the coffee shop and instantly spotted the guy from the bar.
“Hey!” He greeted with a cheerful smile, much different from the drunken, apologetic look he offered Tommy at the bar. “I know you said you’d pay for your own coffee, but I took a guess and ordered you one ahead of time.”
Tommy tasted the coffee and it was way too bitter.
“Thanks.” He grimaced, refusing to take another sip.
“You don’t like it, do you?”
“Well…”
“C’mon, it’s written all over your face.”
Tommy chuckled. “I definitely do not like my coffee like that.”
“Sorry.” IOU guy laughed. “I guess I owe you another coffee.”
“Just the shirt is fine.” Tommy reassured, but IOU guy insisted.
“Do you like owing people favors? Are you—just an IOU guy?” Tommy half-joked.
“I’m just always trying to make things right, y’know? I can’t rest easy unless I do.”
Tommy nodded in somewhat understanding. He wasn’t the type to appreciate an unresolved situation. Hence, why he’s been so stressed about his very recent breakup. It was a very cliche “it’s not you, it’s me” sort of breakup. He couldn’t help but ask himself over and over again what he did wrong, and why the hell the past few months was worth throwing away over text.
Was he not worthy of a phone call?
Shaking the thought from his mind, he handed the guy his shirt with a polite grin.
“You never told me your name.”
“Oh! I-I’m Evan, but my friends call me Buck.”
“I’m Tommy.” They shook hands. Tommy couldn’t help but notice just how charming Evan’s smile was.
He was way too cute to stay mad at.
“I’ll text you when I pick up your shirt.”
“Sounds good. See you then, Evan.”
Tommy arrived at the coffee shop and Evan was already waiting for him at the same table with another coffee.
“I’m sure I got it right this time.”
Tommy reluctantly took a sip, nodding slowly. “Better.”
“But…not right?”
“It’s fine. It’s drinkable. Thank you.”
Evan frowned. “I was really hoping to get it right this time.”
“It’s no big deal. At least you got my shirt dry cleaned. Thank you for that.”
“You gotta let me get you coffee again another time.”
Tommy sighed, not quite in annoyance, but not exactly not in annoyance. What’s this kid’s deal, anyway?
“Why is the coffee so important?”
“I told you: Paid in full. I-I won’t feel like I completely repaid you until I get your coffee order right.”
“You could just ask me how I like my coffee—”
“It’s not the same if I ask.”
Tommy couldn’t help but smile in response. He’s cute. Very cute.
“Fine. Next time, then.”
That night, Tommy lied in bed, not dwelling over his breakup, but thinking about Evan. He’s silly, he’s a little strange. Why was the coffee so important? It was just a shirt.
But there was something so very endearing about this adorable man going out of his way to fully repay him.
Tommy started to think…maybe his ex was the problem. Maybe he was worth that phone call. If a stranger was willing to go out of their way just to repay him for spilling a drink on his shirt, then maybe he was worth it.
His ex was just the wrong person.
Tommy finally felt like he could move on.
3 days later, he received a text from Evan.
On Saturday morning, Tommy stood in front of the mirror in a hoodie and sweatpants, second guessing his outfit.
“Well, obviously this isn’t a date, but I don’t want him to think I don’t wanna be there. That might make him feel bad.”
Tommy wasn’t sure why he cared so much but he took a bit of a liking to this guy. He seemed nice, sincere, probably totally not into him, but still, nice. And that was good enough for Tommy to put on his favorite Henley and some jeans.
When he felt confident about his outfit, he got in his car and drove to the museum to meet Evan there.
“Hey, glad you could make it.” Evan greeted with a smile. “Ready to see some fine art?”
Tommy was already looking at fine art. Evan looked absolutely stunning with his gorgeous curls, soft blue eyes, adorable smile, wearing the cutest baby pink cardigan and the sweetest cologne he’d ever smelled.
“Yeah.” Tommy replied coolly. “Let’s go inside.”
The exhibit was fascinating and seeing Evan’s eyes light up with wonder was enough to pay this silly “debt” tenfold.
Once they left the exhibit, Evan took him to the café as promised. He ordered them some coffee and cinnamon rolls.
The coffee was surprisingly good. Not what Tommy would normally order, but it was great.
“This coffee is delicious.”
Evan’s face lit up in response. “I knew I’d get it right this time!”
In the back of Tommy’s mind, he wanted to tell him the order still wasn’t "right", just to have another excuse to see him again, but he didn’t want to make him feel indebted to him. It was time for this to come to an end. It was the right thing to do.
“Looks like your debt is paid in full, Evan. Thank you.”
“I had so much fun today.”
“Me too.”
There was a brief silence before Evan spoke up again.
“Wanna hang out again?”
Tommy was in disbelief. He thought this was only about repaying a debt. He didn’t imagine a friendship would come out of this.
“I’d love to.”
“We could see a movie sometime! O-or whatever you like to do.”
“I feel like I owe you for making this such a fun Saturday. How about next weekend I take you for a ride?”
“Like…a car trip?”
“No.” Tommy smiled. “In my helicopter.”
“You…have a helicopter?!”
“I’m a pilot.”
Evan’s mouth hung open in shock. “You...are so cool.”
Tommy was so flattered by Evan’s words, he could hardly contain himself. He ducked his head down, hiding the smile and soft blush on his face.
Evan asked Tommy several questions, and eventually they learned that they both work for the LAFD, and Evan is stationed at his old firehouse.
When they went their separate ways, promising to stay in touch and meet next Saturday, the first thing Tommy did was text Howie.
The following Saturday, Tommy paid no attention to his outfit this time. He threw on his most comfortable clothes, ready to repay a friend for a fun outing last weekend.
When Evan met Tommy at Harbor Station, Tommy gave him a tour, trying to ignore how adorable he was when his eyes lit up, or he asked interesting questions.
When they were finally in the air, Evan turned to Tommy.
“Can I tell you something?”
“Sure.” He responded, maintaining his focus as he flew them over Los Angeles.
“I’m…kinda glad I spilled my drink on you.”
Tommy couldn’t help but laugh. “Me too. I definitely needed something else to think about over the past few weeks.”
“Wh-whaddya mean?”
“The night I was at the bar, I was trying to process a breakup. We were together for 8 months and our relationship was ended abruptly…over a text.”
“A text?! After seeing each other for almost a year?! Were you in love?”
“No, but I thought we had a special connection.”
“You deserved more than a text. You’re such a nice guy.”
“You going out of your way to repay me for what happened kinda proved that.”
“Really? Well, I’m glad I could help. You can do better than her anyway.”
“…Him.”
“Oh! Sorry! I didn’t—I wasn’t trying to—I—“
“It’s fine. You didn’t know.”
“Can I tell you something else?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ve been wondering about myself a lot. What matters to me, what I like…and…I-I like having your attention.”
Tommy tried to keep his hands steady and remember all his years of training. But they never prepare you for something like this. Nowhere in any manual or training session did he learn that he’d hear the most gorgeous man he’d ever met tell him he liked having his attention while they were hundreds of feet in the air.
“I…uh…I think we should land.”
“O-okay. I-if you want.”
They returned to Harbor and landed safely. Before Evan could get his helmet off, Tommy pulled him in for a kiss. His heart was racing, but he wanted this. Tommy wanted someone who wanted him, just as much as he wanted them.
He slowly pulled away and looked into Evan’s wide eyes.
“Was that okay?”
He was answered with a slow nod and a smile. “Yeah. That was more than okay.”
“Are you free next Saturday?”
“Yeah. I’m free.”
“Great. Dinner and a movie?”
“Sounds perfect.”
