Dandelions

Tommy Kinard

Edited 29/10/2025

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Joining the support group for veterans had been one of the best decisions Tommy ever made—right after leaving the 118 to join LAFD's air support and finally coming out of the closet.

Not only did it give him a place to talk about his time in service with people who understood, but it also gave him a great friend. Eddie Diaz was another veteran in the LAFD, and the two had plenty in common. They went to car shows together, even took a quick trip to Las Vegas once for a fight. After every meeting, they hit the gym for Muay Thai, working out tension and frustration with every punch and kick. Talking about the army always stirred up emotions, but the routine helped.

The highlight, though, was their bi-monthly basketball games. Especially since Chimney and his brother, Albert, often joined in.

Catching up with Chimney had been a surprise—one Tommy welcomed right away. He hadn't even realized Eddie worked at the same station as Chimney. The world really was small.

Listening to Eddie and Chimney share stories over beers, Tommy could see how much had changed since his time at the 118. Chimney was now a lieutenant, married, and had an adorable three-year-old daughter. From the way both men talked, it was obvious the 118 had become more than a team. They were family.

It made Tommy a little jealous.

Not that he'd ever trade his spot in air support—he was born to fly. But part of him wished Bobby Nash had been captain back when he was with the 118. Things would've been different. Back then, pressure and self-loathing had twisted him into someone he didn't like, someone who'd taken his frustration out on others—especially Wilson. He still regretted that. Thankfully, she'd accepted his apology, even if they hadn't rebuilt the friendship the way he and Chimney had.

That history was exactly why Tommy was nervous when Eddie, Chim, and Albert invited him to the 118 and company's monthly barbecue. It didn't help that this month's host was Evan Buckley — who, if you asked Albert, could walk on water, Chimney's brother-in-law, Eddie's best friend, and, from everything Tommy had heard, basically the glue that held their strange little family together.

And Eddie hadn't been exaggerating when he said Buck co-parented with him. Not just with Chris, either. Tommy had caught Eddie calling Danielle "his daughter" more than once. The one-year-old was the most adorable kid Tommy had ever seen. He'd only met Chris so far—Eddie had introduced them after a year of friendship—but he'd seen plenty of pictures of Elle. Sometimes from Chimney, who showed her playing with Jee, or from Eddie, with Chris holding her. Her bright blue eyes, soft curls, and toothy smile had already won him over.

When Eddie mentioned that Evan looked just like her... well, that didn't help Tommy's nerves.

So, when he finally stood on the porch of the Buckley house, staring at the man himself, Tommy's heart sank and raced at the same time. Because the moment Evan Buckley opened the door—smiling, easy, and unfairly beautiful—Tommy knew he was in trouble.

"You must be Tommy! Hi! Come in," Evan — the most beautiful man Tommy had ever seen — greeted him with a beaming smile. Blond curls bounced as he spoke, and Tommy's throat went dry. He had the sudden, ridiculous urge to reach out and run his fingers through them.

"Are they as soft as they look?"

The words were out before his brain caught up. His face went red immediately, and his eyes widened in horror as he looked at Evan. But instead of awkward silence or judgment, Evan just laughed and ducked his head, shy in a way that made Tommy's heart stutter. No man that tall and built had any right to look that adorable.