"As you can see, the house does need some cosmetic work, but it's in your price range, and the kitchen has a good-sized island, the windows in the living room and the master bedroom face south, so you get gorgeous light." Theresa, the realtor for this viewing, pauses and then opens a narrow door. "But I think this will the selling point of this kitchen: a walk-in pantry."
Buck hums as he peers into it, eyebrows raising in appreciation at the sturdy steel racks already set up. In his mind's eye, he can see it being stocked with snacks, dry ingredients and staples, labeled and ready for use. He can picture himself cooking meals in the kitchen. That's how he knows he wants this house.
"I want a safety inspection, and anything that needs remediation, I'll get a quote and I'll want it taken off the asking price." Buck knows it's not really a buyer's market right now, but he doesn't want to spend money on a place that would be a money pit. Odds are, he can do most of the repairs himself - the doors aren't hung properly on the second floor, for one thing - but Theresa doesn't need to know that.
Theresa smiles. "Knew that pantry would clinch it."
---
Buck moves in on a Thursday, the first day of two weeks' PTO that he has finally taken. It's not a coincidence that it's Eddie's first few days back.
He doesn't want to see Eddie. He really doesn't.
He has already updated his address online last night, pausing to wonder if Chimney will notice his change of address. Doesn't matter. Administrative paperwork may be dull but necessary.
The heavier pieces of furniture are moved onto the moving truck he rented. He hauls the chairs and couch out, secures the rug again before tossing it in, drags boxes of his books with his little trolley.
It's two in the afternoon when he sees a familiar truck heading towards his new place. He skips down the few steps to the path and saunters out to the sidewalk.
Tommy steps out of his truck, clad in a loose tank top and faded jeans, muscled arms already covered in a sheen of perspiration. It's really hot and humid. "Ready to help," he says.
Buck smiles at him and jerks his head towards the inside. "Got a few boxes for you."
The heavier boxes are his books. Tommy hefts one box into his arms and wanders back out to the moving truck. Buck wonders if Tommy saw the coffee maker box stacked together with his kitchen appliances on the side of the door.
---
It's 4pm and they are both drenched with sweat from the afternoon heat. Buck calls for a break from unpacking and Tommy drives them to the nearest strip mall to look for something to eat in someplace where the temperatures do not come from Satan's armpit.
"I'll need to fix the air-conditioning," Buck grumbles as he slumps down in the old pleather seat of a Chinese restaurant. "And re-hang the doors. Maybe repaint the bedroom - that pale green reminds me of hospitals."
Two kids are doing homework in the corner and an uncle in a stained tee is at the roaring stove frying up their orders. Tommy nods at the surly young man who slinks over with their fried rice, coffee ribs, bok choy in oyster sauce and mapo tofu.
"I'll help," Tommy offers. "Just let me know when and how."
Buck smiles and nudges his foot against Tommy's. "Payment in beer or in pizza?"
"In desserts," Tommy replies blandly.
The food is excellent. Buck steals the last of the ribs from Tommy with his fingers instead of chopsticks. Tommy scoops the remaining quarter of the mapo tofu onto his rice in retaliation.
They share a mango shaved ice after that and Buck thinks, We can do this.
---
When Buck gets back to work, Chimney asks how the new place is.
"Needs some work, but the foundation's good," he says.
No one offers to help with fixing it up. Later, he thinks about it, and realizes that that he didn't expect them to. He still wishes someone did, though.
---
They get a new air-conditioning system from a guy Tommy knows (30% off is a good-sized discount, and Buck is thankful). They take the doors off and hang them properly so the corners don't scrape against the floor.
Tommy also helps him find a larger fridge as well as a chest freezer, and patiently loads the pantry according to Buck's system. Buck makes tiramisu for Tommy's troubles, and if they lean a little too close while sharing the dessert... Well.
---
Buck has decided on a blue for his bedroom, but he can't decide which of three different blues he wants.
When Tommy sees the swatches on the walls, he points to one - a muted cornflower blue - and says wistfully, "This looks like the sky the first time I flew."
---
"You busy this Friday evening?" Eddie asks. "I was thinking if you can watch Chris."
"Sorry, I gotta go pick up a dresser," Buck says. He doesn't offer to change his plans when Eddie waits with raised eyebrows.
After a beat, Eddie sighs and walks over to Hen to ask if she minds Chris popping over for a catch-up with Denny.
Buck resumes washing the rig. "It's in Orange County," he mutters to himself. "Solid maple. Vintage. Owner's moving to Spain and letting it go at a tenth of its value."
---
The next time Tommy comes over, the room is already painted, and Buck holds out a hand. Tommy stares at it, and then takes it with a tiny smile.
But Tommy laughs as they twirl around and around. When they stop, Tommy's face is all scrunched up in his biggest grin, and Buck knows his own face is flushed.
"Let's move that vintage dresser where you want it," Tommy murmurs. "Can't have you living in a house with nowhere to put your clothes."
Buck doesn't release him. "Can I keep a drawer for you?"
He sees Tommy's grin gentle into a smile, he sees him swallow and lick his lips. Finally, he nods. "I'd love that."
"I'm gonna dig up more projects to do around here," Buck warns him. "You're gonna need lots of changes of clothes. Best keep that drawer full."
Chuckling, Tommy presses his forehead to Buck's. "I'll do that."
Buck closes his eyes and the distance between them.
