Work Text:
Buck slumped against the fire station's locker room bench, his fingers fumbling with the buckle of his heavy boots. The weight of the day pressed down on him, more suffocating than the smoke he’d battled hours earlier. His mind replayed the frantic moments at the fire scene—children trapped, lives on the line, the ever-present fear that something might go wrong. Despite his best efforts, the day's events had seeped into his bones, leaving him drained and tense.
“Buck, you alright?” Hen’s voice cut through the haze of his thoughts.
He managed a weak smile. “Yeah, just a rough one today.”
She gave him a sympathetic nod before heading out, leaving him alone with his thoughts. Evan finally managed to pull off his boots and change out of his gear. The locker room was empty now, its silence amplifying the exhaustion that wrapped around him like a heavy blanket.
As he stepped outside, the cool evening air hit his face, bringing a small measure of relief. He scanned the parking lot and spotted Tommy’s car parked under the streetlight. The sight of his boyfriend brought a flicker of warmth to Buck’s tired eyes. He made his way over, each step feeling like an effort.
Tommy was leaning against the hood of his car, his face lighting up with a gentle smile as Buck approached. “Hey, baby” he greeted, his voice soft and full of affection.
Evan let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “Hey,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
Tommy opened his arms, and Buck didn’t hesitate. He stepped into the embrace, burying his face in Tommy’s shoulder. The tension in his body began to melt away as Tommy's arms wrapped around him, holding him tight.
“Rough day, huh?” Tommy murmured, his lips brushing against Evan's temple.
“Yeah,” Evan admitted, his voice muffled against Tommy’s shirt. “It was one of those days.”
Tommy gently pulled back, just enough to look into Buck’s eyes. “Come on, let's get you home.”
The drive was quiet, the familiar hum of the engine and the soft music from the radio providing a soothing backdrop. Buck leaned his head against the window, the cool glass a stark contrast to the warmth of Tommy’s hand resting on his thigh. That simple touch was enough to ground him, reminding him that he wasn’t alone.
When they reached Buck’s apartment, Tommy led him inside, his hand never leaving Buck’s. Once the door closed behind them, Tommy turned to face Buck, his eyes filled with concern and love.
“Why don’t you go get comfortable? I’ll make us some tea,” Tommy suggested, giving Buck a gentle nudge towards the bedroom.
Buck nodded, grateful for Tommy’s thoughtfulness. He made his way to the bedroom, stripping off his work clothes and changing into a soft pair of sweatpants and an old t-shirt. The familiar scent of Tommy’s cologne lingering on his clothes from last night brought a small smile to his face.
When he returned to the living room, Tommy was already there, two steaming mugs of tea on the coffee table. He’d dimmed the lights, creating a warm, cozy atmosphere. Tommy sat on the couch, patting the space beside him.
“Come here, baby,” he said softly.
Buck sank onto the couch, immediately curling into Tommy’s side. Tommy draped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him close. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the only sounds the occasional sip of tea and the rhythmic beat of their hearts.
Tommy ran his fingers through Buck’s hair, his touch soothing and gentle. “Do you want to talk about it?” he asked quietly.
Buck sighed, leaning into the touch. “It was just... a lot today. We had this call with kids trapped in a burning building. We got them out, but it was so close. Too close. And then there were the usual accidents, people in pain, chaos everywhere. It felt like I couldn’t breathe.”
Tommy pressed a kiss to Buck’s forehead. “You did everything you could, Evan. You saved those kids. You made a difference.”
“I know,” Buck whispered, his voice trembling. “But it’s hard not to think about what could have happened.”
Tommy’s grip tightened, his other hand coming up to cup Buck’s cheek. “Hey, look at me.”
Evan lifted his eyes, meeting Tommy’s steady gaze.
“You’re an amazing firefighter, Evan. You give everything you have every single day, and that’s more than enough. It’s okay to feel like this. It’s okay to be tired.”
Evan felt a tear slip down his cheek, quickly followed by another. Tommy brushed them away with his thumb, his touch tender and reassuring.
“I’m here for you, Evan” Tommy murmured, his lips finding Evan’s in a soft, lingering kiss. “Always.”
Evan melted into the kiss, the stress of the day ebbing away with each gentle press of Tommy’s lips. When they finally pulled back, he rested his forehead against Tommy’s, feeling a sense of peace he hadn’t felt all day.
“Thank you,” Buck whispered, his voice filled with gratitude.
“Anytime, baby,” Tommy replied, his voice just as soft. “Now, how about we just relax and watch something mindless? You deserve a break.”
Evan nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “That sounds perfect.”
They settled back against the couch, Tommy’s arms wrapped securely around Buck. The warmth of the embrace, the gentle rise and fall of Tommy’s chest, and the feeling of being loved unconditionally filled Buck with a sense of calm he desperately needed.
As the night wore on, Buck found himself drifting off, the events of the day fading away. He knew tomorrow would bring more problems, but for now, he was content, wrapped in the comfort of his boyfriends love.
And that was enough.