Dandelions

Tommy Kinard

Joining the support group for veterans had been one of the best decisions Tommy had taken, followed only by leaving the 118 to join LAFD's air support and come out of the closet.

Not only was he able to talk about his time in service with people who understood, but he also gained a great friend. Eddie Diaz was another veteran in the LAFD, and the two of them had many things in common.

They went to car shows together and even went to Las Vegas once for a fight. After every meeting, they went to the gym to train Muay Thai and punch and kick their pent-up energy. Talking about their time in the army stirred up a lot of emotions. But the activity Tommy enjoyed the most was their bi-monthly basketball games. Especially since Chimney and his brother, Albert, joined Tommy and Eddie.

Catching up with Chimney had been a surprise, but one Tommy had welcomed gladly. Tommy did not even know Eddie's station was the 118. The world was a napkin, indeed!

As Tommy heard Chimney and Eddie tell stories over beers, Tommy realized how much things had changed. Chimney was a lieutenant, he was married, and had an adorable three-year-old daughter. Just from hearing them speak, Tommy could tell that the 118 had become a true family.

It made Tommy jealous.

Don't get him wrong! Tommy would never trade the air for anything, he was born to become a pilot. But he wished Bobby had been the captain during his time at the 118. Tommy's experience would have been totally different. Peer pressure and self-hatred had made him behave horribly, especially towards Wilson. Thankfully, she had accepted his apology, even if she was not ready to become friends with Tommy like Chimney had been quick to.

His previous behavior was the reason why Tommy was so nervous when he had been invited by Eddie, Chim, and even Albert to the 118 and co's monthly barbecue. It did not help matters that this month it was being hosted by Evan Buckley, who could walk on water if you asked Albert, was Chimney's brother-in-law, and was the best friend who co-parents with Eddie.

And Tommy did not even mean only Chris, no, he caught Eddie slipping a couple of times calling Danielle his daughter. Danielle was the most adorable one-year-old Tommy had ever seen. Unlike Chris, who Eddie had been introduced to him, as expected after a year of friendship, Tommy had yet to meet Elle. He has only seen her in pictures from Chimney of her with Jee, or in photos from Eddie of her with Chris. Her blonde curls, bright blue eyes, and bubbly smile had Tommy falling in love at first sight.

When Eddie mentioned that Evan looked just like her... well, it did not help Tommy's nerves.

As Tommy stood at the Buckley House porch face to face with the most beautiful man he had ever seen, Tommy knew he was irrevocably screwed.

"You must be Tommy! Hi! Come in," Evan, aka the most beautiful man Tommy had ever seen, greeted with a beaming smile, blond curls bouncing, and Tommy gulped as hard as he suddenly got the desire to run his fingers through those curls.

"Are they as soft as they look?"

Tommy's face flushed when he realized he had asked that out loud. His eyes widened as he turned to look at Evan panicking. Thankfully, Evan only laughed and looked down adorably shy. It made Tommy's heart skip a beat. No man that built and big should look that adorable. No wonder Hen called Evan a golden retriever, the few times she and Tommy spoke.

Evan laughed — soft and a little surprised, like he hadn't expected the question to catch him off guard. His cheeks flushed almost instantly, that gentle pink that crept up from his collar like it had nowhere else to go. It suited him, honestly. Made the whole scene feel like one of those quiet summer evenings that stretched on just long enough to make you wish time would slow down.