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So far the evening had been pretty chill — as far as engagement parties go, that is. Buck had made sure to give everyone their tasks, following up with them throughout the evening to make sure things were going smoothly.
The night was originally supposed to be intimate; something with just their immediate friends and family. They were going to be having a full-blown wedding in only a matter of months, so they decided to just hold a party in their backyard. Nothing crazy.
And then Maddie invited her book club (and they all brought their families). And Karen told all of her rocket scientist co-workers (who told all of the other departments). And Sal told Gina, who then of course went and told her entire Italian family (who never turn down an opportunity to party). So “intimate” isn’t exactly the word that Buck would use for this evening.
And to top it all off, he hadn’t seen Tommy in almost two hours, having been so busy and preoccupied with party matters.
When he gets a moment to breathe, tucked away in one of the far corners of the yard, Maddie immediately comes up to him. He waits for her to speak before he does anything rash, like yell or scream or fall to the ground. All he wants is a moment of peace, is that too much to ask?
“Hey, kiddo. How’re you doin’?” She places a hand to the small of his back, moving in small circles.
“This is insane, Mads. How the hell did this even happen? It was just supposed to be us and the kids. I don’t think I even know half the people that are here.” He’s spiraling, he knows he is, but he can’t stop it.
“Hey,” she moves a hand up to his face. “Look at me.” He begrudgingly makes eye contact with her. “Everyone is here because they love and support both of you. They’re all here because they’re so happy for both of you. I know it’s overwhelming — and you probably didn’t plan for it,” Buck can only laugh miserably at that, “But! You’re doing great. Things are running so smoothly and everyone’s having a great time. I mean look around? Not a sad sack in sight.”
Buck pulls her in close for a hug, wrapping his arms around her. “They are?”
“Of course! I mean,” she pulls back and gestures to the decked out backyard, “look at this place! This party is going to be talked about for ages!” She gives his elbow a small squeeze, giving him one of her nose-scrunching smiles. “You’re killing it.”
He sniffles a little, letting her words hit him. “Thanks, Maddie.” She hugs him again and then does a sweep of the area. “Now, where is that dashing fiancée of yours?”
“Beats me,” Buck says dejectedly. He does a quick sweep himself, not looking for anything specific as he goes. Somehow he’s always able to spot Tommy in a crowd like this; no special powers required.
Back towards the house, the back door opens and Sal exits with Lucy, the two in a very heated discussion with Tommy trailing behind them, an amused smile on his face. Whatever it is they’re arguing about, he’s enjoying every minute of it.
Tommy brings the beer he’s drinking to his lips, tipping his head back a bit, and as he does, he makes direct eye contact with Buck. His stomach does one of those flips he still hasn’t gotten used to.
“Ah, there he is.” Maddie moves away from him and makes her way towards Chimney, who’s sat in a chair near the fire pit talking with some of Karen’s work friends. She had made sure to give him some privacy when he finally reunited with his other half.
Tommy looks so good like this. His cheeks are flushed from the number of drinks he’s had. His hair is slightly wind-swept, causing it to settle in that way that Buck loves. He’s got on one of his signature looks: a dark olive-green button-up, layered over a black wife-beater that shows off a bit of his chest. He’s recently donned a silver chain — a gift from Buck — and it makes his neck look so biteable. The whole image leaves Buck breathless and wanting. He’s not sure how he got so lucky.
As he watches him make his way across the yard, the glow from the strings of Edison bulbs they hung up just three days ago highlight every perfect curve of his face. The crinkles at the corner of his eyes when he smiles and makes small talk with the people he’s passing. The shadows bouncing off his cleft, making Buck want to press his lips to it.
He’s that classic kind of handsome; the one that always make Buck think of old Hollywood.
The black-and-white accentuating their features in all the right ways. If it wasn’t for the numerous amount of guests they were currently hosting in their backyard, he’d take Tommy right here and now. Show him exactly what he does to him; for him.
Finally, finally, Tommy’s reached his corner, and brings him in close for a kiss, turning them away from prying eyes.
“Hi, handsome,” Tommy whispers against his ear after they’ve parted. It sends a shiver down his spine.
“H-Hey,” he breathes out, his hands clutching at Tommy’s back. God, he wishes they were alone right now. That this party was over and everyone was back home so he could have Tommy all to himself.
“This is quite the shindig you’ve thrown.” And that makes Buck laugh. Full-on, head-thrown-back, stomach-aching laugh. He’s pretty sure he’s gonna cry. Tommy laughs with him, just not as hard, rubbing his nose behind Buck’s ear, so he can hear every chuckle.
“Did you seriously just use the word ‘shindig’?”
“It got the needed response, so…” he trails off, shrugging his shoulders as best he can with Buck in his arms, a smirk on his lips. Buck can only roll his eyes fondly in response.
Tommy moves back a bit, making sure to keep their hands connected. He very obviously checks Buck out, moving his eyes up and down him slowly. It makes Buck blush. He keeps the smirk on his face as he moves back in, placing his free hand to the small of Buck’s back.
“Now, I don’t want to be too forward, but would you possibly want to get out of here with me?”
Buck brings a hand up to his chest and fakes a gasp. “Sir! This is my engagement party.” He loops his hands around the back of Tommy’s neck, his fingers playing with the hair at his nape. “If my fiancée found out you were hitting on me…” he trails off, chupsing.
“I think I could fight him off. After all,” he indicates to himself with a hand, “look at me.” And Buck does. It’s what he’s been doing all night. How could he not?
“You make a very compelling argument.” He places a small kiss to Tommy’s chin. “I’ll break it off and spend the rest of my life with you, how about that?”
“Hmm…” Tommy fake-contemplate Buck’s very real proposal, “I suppose I can work with that.” Buck giggles, moving in for a kiss, wanting to live in this moment forever.
“Alright, lovebirds,” a voice breaks through their bubble, “stop missing your own party and get out there on the dance floor!” It’s Eddie. He’s clearly had too much to drink, hair having fallen in his face.
They both roll their eyes, but separate from each other enough to walk towards the centre of the yard. Everyone cheers, creating a circle for them. Ravi — who’s been djing — puts on a slow song. Buck moves in close to Tommy and gets lost in his eyes, everything around them fading away.
“I love you,” he says so quietly only Tommy’s ears would be able to pick up on it.
The smile he receives is blinding. “I love you too. And I can’t wait to spend forever with you, Evan Buckley.” Buck moves in closer, so they’re flush against each other and hooks his chin over Tommy’s shoulder.
He can’t wait for forever to start.