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Chapter Text

“It was the summer of 2014. When everybody called me Buck and I didn’t mind. I was 23. It was before the Covid-19 pandemic, Barrack Obama was still president and I couldn’t wait to leave Pennsylvania and figure out who I was and what I wanted to be.

Maddie and me were having a hard time with our parents and we were fighting with them all of the time. They wanted us to go on a family vacation with them and I hated the idea. Six weeks in upstate New York with Phillip and Margaret was my worst nightmare. But Maddie wanted to go; said it might be good for us all. She was desperate for us to feel like more of a family. And she was very convincing.

So, we ended up at Kellerman’s resort. One of those traditional, upper middle class places for families. Games, pageants, dance lessons.. and a big final show at the end of the summer season that the guests were encouraged to participate in.

It was the last place on earth I wanted to be.”

Phillip stopped the car outside the priority guest entrance and Buck immediately jumped out to stretch his aching legs. The resort had only opened for the summer season a few days before and was already bustling.

Families playing lawn tennis and children flying kites. Staff in crisp white uniforms running around carrying bags, trays, towels, food or drinks. There was a man standing on the lawn with a megaphone excitedly yelling to the guests which activities were on, what time and where. Across the immaculate lawn was the large main house built in the fifties and looking like it hadn’t been updated since. But everything was immaculate. No trash or graffiti or gum on the pathways.

A staff member walked across their path pulling a large hanging rail filled with dresses wrapped in clear protective bags.

“Oh, I knew I should have brought more outfits, Phillip. How tragic” Margaret complained.

“Yeah, that sure is tragic. Not like poverty, genocide, wildfires-“

“That’s enough, Evan.” His mother snapped.

“Six weeks.” Buck, annoyed, mouthed to Maddie.

“It’ll be fine.” She mouthed back.

“Doc!” A short, portly man in an expensive looking suit, with slicked back hair that didn’t at all hide his hair loss and a ridiculously heavy looking pinky ring on his finger, approached them holding out his hand. Phillip took it and shook it firmly.

“Max! It’s good to see you.”

“I can’t believe I finally got you on my mountain.”

“How’s the blood pressure?”

Max turned to Maddie and Buck. “I want you kids to know that if it wasn’t for this man here I’d be standing here dead.” Phillip patted his shoulder. Max turned to the staff member standing behind him. “Eddie, will you get the damn bags?!”

The dark haired man, who looked to be around the same age as Buck, quickly moved to the trunk of the car to remove the Buckley family bags.

“I’ll help.” Buck declared and pulled some cases out. “Eddie? That’s your name?”

“Uh, yes, Sir.”

“Oh god! Please don’t call me that.” Buck winced. “Buck is fine.” He smiled and held his hand out for Eddie to shake.

“Buck.” He nodded. “I don’t suppose you want a job?” He asked watching Buck remove more things from the trunk. Buck looked at his parents as they schmoozed with the resort owner.

Philip and Margaret were like night and day. At home they were barely there, and highly critical when they were around, but in public, and especially in front of people they deemed important, they were nothing short of cookie cutter parents. Happy and smiling like butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths. It would be funny it wasn’t so disgustingly hypocritical and made Buck feel like his wellbeing didn’t matter at all to them. Just one of the plethora of reasons Buck couldn’t wait to leave Pennsylvania behind.

“It’s tempting.”

“We have a fabulous dance instructor, Lucy, who will be giving an introductory lessons in an hour over by the lake.” Max told them.

“Hey, mom, haven’t you always wanted to learn to dance?” Maddie said. “That sounds fun, right?”

Margaret clasped her hands together. “What a wonderful idea. Family dance lesson.”

Buck stepped over. “Woah, uh, I- dancing isn’t my thing, mom. But you guys go and have fun.”

“Evan, don’t be selfish. It’s what your mother wants.” Philip chimed in.

Buck opened his mouth to argue but thought better of it. Instead he glared at his sister for bringing up the idea in the first place.

***

Buck leaned against the railing of the bandstand and watched the group of people, mostly over the age of 65, learn dance steps. Most of them didn’t have rhythm, including his father. At least that was amusing to watch.

The instructor, Lucy, was pretty. Blonde hair, almond eyes and full lips—definitely someone he’d ask out if he were back home. He wasn’t averse to a holiday romance but vacationing with your parents wasn’t exactly a mood enhancer.

“1, 2, 3, 4, stomp those feet and stomp some more!” She called out instructions as she stood at the front of the group, flicking the skirt of her bright red dress. She was definitely made to be a dance teacher given her loud and smiling enthusiasm as she danced around the group and had them doing a round robin easily.

“Come on ladies! God wouldn’t have given you maracas if he didn’t want you to shake em!” She cried out shaking her chest. Buck snorted and she looked in his direction. He sucked his lips into his mouth, feeling a tinge of guilt and she raised an eyebrow at him before turning back to the guests.

“Okay ladies, when I shout “stop” you’re gonna fine the man of your dreams!” She continued dancing for a few second before yelling “Stop!” At the same time her arm reached out and grabbed Buck wrist.

“Oh, uh, no. No, I’m not-“

Lucy shook her head and pulled him into the group now dancing in pairs. Buck tried to keep his feet moving but had about as much grace and finesse as a newborn deer on ice. Lucy continued moving, stepping effortlessly back and forth as she held Buck in her arms, practically dragging him around the bandstand. It would be a miracle if he didn’t break any of her toes.

“Now remember ladies! He’s the boss on the dance floor if nowhere else!” She smirked at Buck knowing full well he was hating every second of what was happening.

Buck left his room in the cabin and walked past Maddie sitting at the dining table giggling. He leaned over her shoulder to see what she was laughing at and sighed.

“Did you really have to take pictures?”

“Of my little brothers humiliation? Uh, yuh!” Buck grunted in response. “Come on—you didn’t have a least a teeny bit of fun?”

“Trying not to step on the instructors toes the entire time? No, it was not fun.” He replied.

“Lucy.”

“Huh?”

“Her name was Lucy. Pretty, too, don’t you think.” She added with a knowing smile

“Okay, I’m going for a walk.” He said ignoring her.

“Don’t pretend she’s not your type, Buck.”

“I’m not interested.” He said sliding on is jacket.

“Since when?!”

He looked in the direction of his parents in the kitchen on the other side of the living space of their cabin, and lowered his voice. “Since we’re on vacation with them.”

***

He found himself walking past the restaurant of the main house. The lights were on but it wasn’t open to guests—still getting set up by staff for the evening diners. One of the doors was open a little and he peeked through the gap when he heard Max speaking to his young, entirely male, staff.

“This is a family place. That means you keep your fingers out of the water, your hair out of the food and mostly importantly you show the daughters a good time. Even the ugly one.” The men laughed and Buck grimaced. “Take them out to the lake, show them the stars, romance them anyway you want- hey! Hold it there!”

Max’s attention was taken by a man walking thought the dining hall with group of men and women behind him, dressed in civvies rather then the usual white uniforms most staff wore. Buck could only see the man from the back as he came closer to Max; jacket slung coolly over his shoulder. He was tall and had a little musculature than Buck—and Buck had a lot.

“Well if it isn’t the entertainment.” Max commented, his condescension clear. “Listen, wise-ass, you have your own rules. You dance with the daughters, only. You understand what I’m getting at, buddy? Nobody else. That’s it. No funny business with anybody else, you got that? This is a family resort.”

The man didn’t argue and Max walked away leaving his staff to finish setting up the restaurant.

“You think you can keep that straight?” One of the waiters said to the man. “What am I saying? Straight isn’t exactly in your wheel house, is it?” He laughed at his own comment and some of the waiters joined in.

The man huffed his own laugh and stepped closer to the waiter. “You just stick your dick whether you choose and leave the grownup stuff to us.” His voice was deliciously smooth and Buck felt it trickle down his spine like molasses.

Who was this guy?

***

Max personally lead the Buckley family to their table in the restaurant later that evening. He waved one of the waiters over and Buck recognised him from earlier on.

“This is Doctor and Mrs Buckley, and their children Evan and Maddie.” He placed a hand on the waiters shoulder. “This is your waiter Doug Kendall. He’s currently attending Yale medical school.”

Philip perked up at the mention of medical school in way that he never did with Buck no matter what he did.

“Doug, these people are my special guests—give them anything they want.”

“I will.” Doug said keeping his eyes on Maddie.

“Thanks, Max.” Philip said.

“Oh-“ He gestured to a young man around Bucks age to come to the table. “I want you to meet someone. This is my grandson Neil.” He slung an arm around the man’s shoulders. “He’s my number two and learning the ropes of running this place.”

“It’s nice to meet you all.” He said with a sleazy smile and eyes that stayed on Buck.

***

Despite Bucks protests, Margaret had insisted they all go to the dancehall in the main house after dinner. Buck sat at the bar with Maddie while their parents danced until waiter Doug made an appearance and she slid to the other end of the bar to talk with him. She was giggling and leaning in as he she spoke. It was weird enough to watch your sister flirt but worse that it was with someone like Doug. Buck wasn’t keen—something about him rubbed Buck the wrong way. He’d debated telling Maddie about what he’d overheard Max say to the wait staff earlier but the last time he’d gotten himself involved in her love life he got yelled at.

Neil had showed up and immediately made a beeline for Buck at the bar and began chatting incessantly about himself.

“..and so I told him, if he didn’t do as I said then my grandfather would fire him!” He laughed at his own anecdote that Buck wasn’t paying much attention to.

He was clearly flirting with Buck which he wouldn’t mind at all, usually—it had been a while since he’d been flirted with or had any kind of romantic attention. But Neil was not remotely his type. He was short, lean and wore far too much cologne. But his personality is what put Buck off the most. He was smarmy and arrogant and seemed to truly believe that everybody wanted to be him. He was the kind of guy that thought having money made him the most desirable man around.

Buck preferred people with humility. People who didn’t walk around thinking that their own shit didn’t stink because the numbers in their bank account were high. Kindness and thoughtfulness were important traits to him and not throwing money around thinking that it gave you cart blanche to do as you please without consequences. He had enough of that behaviour from his parents.

Buck gave Neil a half-hearted smile in response and let his eyes fall back upon the dancing couples.

“Do you want to dance?” Neil asked.

“Oh, uh, no thank you.”

“It’s okay if you don’t know how to—I’m an excellent teacher.” Neil bragged.

“I’m sure you are.” Buck replied with a subtly edge of sarcasm. Neil didn’t even notice.

He slid a little closer to Buck. “So, what do you want to do after the summer?”

“I’m probably going to travel for a while. Maybe work my way across the country, figure myself out.”

“My friends and I are going to travel, too.” Neil excitedly replied.

“Yeah?”

Neil nodded. “We’re starting out at my father’s house in the Hamptons and from there probably Monaco or maybe Dubai. We haven’t decided yet.”

Buck had to use all of his strength to not roll his eyes.

The dancing crowd in front of them began to part and a couple walked into the space. The woman Buck recognised as Lucy, dressed in a floaty pink dress, but it was the man she was partnered with that immediately drew his attention.

His strong arms held Lucy firmly and they began to move. Buck was enthralled. The man’s large frame moved effortlessly around the dance floor; lifting and spinning and swooping Lucy as though she weighed nothing. His hips moved smoothly with the rhythm of the music and with an amount of grace Buck didn’t expect of a man his size.

He was just so fluid in his movements. Limber and flexible in a way that had Buck imagining himself being thrown around the dance floor.

Or maybe his bedroom.

They practically floated across the dance floor; him pushing her body away and pulling it back into him with precision; her legs in the air or wrapped around his body.

The couple danced closer to where Buck was standing and he was able to get a better look at the man’s face. He had beautifully high cheekbones and a cleft that he’d always found attractive. But what really got Bucks attention was his eyes. Big and blue and surrounded by long dark eyelashes.

“They should not be dancing together.” Neil complained. “They should be dancing with guests. Excuse me for a moment.” He left Buck to walk over and separate the couple. They both looked like they wanted to say something back to him but refrained, choosing instead to do as asked and each picked someone form the crowd to dance with.

Neil left them to walk over to his grandfather at the side of the room and Buck saw it as an opportunity to escape and walk the long way back to the cabin.

This place, as beautiful as it was, was just another reminder of his life back home. His parents and their uppity friends who thought that money and means made you more important. Buck had realised from an early age that everything he saw was a facade; a carefully constructed rouse that fooled people into thinking that their lives were as perfect as they looked.

As he got older he began to notice the cracks in the lives of the people his parents insisted on them being around. Affairs that spouses ignored in exchange for having a beautiful wife on their arm for others to see and houses in disrepair disguised by expensive furniture. Nothing was real. Peek behind the curtain and their lives were just as crappy as everybody else’s.

He was counting down the days until he could go back home, pack his bags and take to the open road. There was something thrilling about the unknown nature of his future and he was excited to begin it.

Buck found himself at the beginning of a dirt path with a sign stating it lead to the staff quarters. He knew he probably shouldn’t be there but he could hear a faint hum of music coming from up the hill that piqued his curiosity, so he began walking along it.

The path opened to a set of high wooden steps, lit in the dark by low-light orange lamps dotted at the side of every few steps.

Eddie appeared at the bottom struggling to carry three giant watermelons.

“Hi!” Buck walked over.

Eddie frowned when he saw him. “What are you doing here?”

“Uh, walking.”

“You should go back.” He took a few steps and almost dropped one of the watermelons.

“Hey, let me help you.” Buck took one of the watermelons from his arms.

“No guests allowed.” Eddie stated. “House rules. You’re better off with your little family.” There was a condescending tone to his voice that Buck didn’t like. He shoved the watermelon back into Eddie’s arms and began walking away.

Eddie scoffed. “Fine. Can you keep a secret?”

Buck turned back around with a grin and took the watermelon back from Eddie’s arms.

“Seriously, Buck—not a word to your parents. They’ll kill you and my boss would kill me.” He lead Buck up the steps and toward the entrance of the building playing the loud music.

He turned his back to the doors and shoved them open with his ass.

Buck was immediately hit with a tremendous heat; thick and humid, accompanied by loud and rhythmic music. The club was filled with people dancing close together. Bodies writing against each other in a way that would never be allowed in the main dance hall.

Men dancing with men, women dancing with women, men and women dancing with each other.. there was no pairing that mattered. Everybody was lost in the music and nobody cared.

Bucks eyes were wide with intrigue as he took the place in and followed Eddie to bar where they dropped the fruit.

The doors opened again and Lucy and that man walked in to everybody’s cheers. Bucks heart rate increased at the sight of the man in his high waisted black pants that hugged his deliciously round ass beautifully. The braces that had held them up earlier in the night were now off his shoulders and hanging loosely by his thighs. His jacket was gone, as was the bow tie, and his white shirt was unbuttoned almost to the naval, revealing a solid and slightly hairy chest.

Buck swallowed hard in an attempt to create some saliva that had suddenly left his mouth.

Another song began playing and the couple began dancing together again. Only this time it wasn’t the family friendly moves they’d displayed earlier in the evening—this was more like the dancing people were doing around them now.

They held each others bodies closer; Lucy flicking the lower half of her pink dress higher revealing her long tanned legs and her matching pink underwear. Ordinarily Buck would be looking at those but instead he could not keep his eyes from the sheen of sweet decorating the man’s face, highlighting those beautiful cheekbones.

“That’s Tommy Kinard. Old army buddy of mine.” Eddie yelled into Bucks ear over the music. “He got me the job here after I was discharged.”

“They, uh.. they look gr-great together.” He said back, his eyes never leaving Tommy.

“Yeah.” Eddie said. “You’d think they were a couple.”

Bucks head swivelled fast around to Eddie.

“They’re not?!”

“Nah. They’ve known each other since they were kids.”

“Oh.”

Tommy spotted them by the bar and separated from Lucy, dancing his way through the crowd until he was close enough to, slightly aggressively, sling an arm around Eddie’s shoulder.

“What’s he doing here?” Buck could hear the contempt in his voice even over the thrumming music.

“I carried a watermelon.” He blurted out. A wave of heated shame coursed through him and he looked down at his feet in embarrassment before sneaking a look back at Tommy. Tommy raised his eyebrows for a moment before shaking his head and disappearing back into the crowd.

Eddie patted him on the shoulder and gave him an amused but sympathetic look.

“I’m gonna-“ Buck pointed to the doors .”I’ll see you around.”

He slid through the crowd, mentally chastising himself for making a fool of himself when suddenly a large, warm hand grabbed his wrist.

He turned around to see Tommy standing there, gesturing with his index finger for him to follow him. Buck couldn’t resist even if he wanted to and allowed himself to be dragged towards the center of the dance floor.

Tommy positioned Buck in front of himself and gestured to his hips and then his own. He pointed to Bucks eyes with his fingers and then back to his own hips again indicating for Buck to watch what he was doing.

He began circling his hips in one direction then reversing into the other direction. Buck, with nerves buzzing through him side by side with a fear of making more of an idiot of himself in front of the literal Adonis in front of him, tried to replicate Tommys movements, but had all the stiffness of a toddler leaning to hula hoop.

Tommy reached forward and took Bucks hips in his hands and Buck was glad the music was loud enough to drown out his sharp intake of breath at the feel of Tommys hands on him.

He guided Bucks hips into the correct movements and Buck relaxed enough the make his movements a little more fluid.

“Not bad, kid.” Tommy said and the praise shot up Bucks spine lighting it up like a Christmas tree.

“Now this.” He said and Buck didn’t get a second to prepare for Tommys next move before he was pulled by the hips into Tommys space; his leg situated between Bucks thighs as he continued moving them with the music.

Buck was practically boneless at this point and Tommy grabbed one of Bucks arms and flung it over his shoulder. His own arm slid around to hold Buck by his lower back.

Still they were swaying their hips back and forth, then in circles and Buck could feel the heat from Tommys leg between his. Their groins were not touching but they were only inches apart and that thought was driving Buck to the brink of sanity.

They continued moving, with Buck becoming more relaxed and pliant with each passing few seconds. His hand moved to hold on to the back of Tommys neck and he didn’t seem to mind, just continued to lead their dancing.

Though Bucks skin was on fire and his heart was thrashing against his chest wall, he also felt a wave of calm come over him. A settled feeling that he wasn’t expecting. Without even realising his eyes closed; his body relishing the heat and solidity of Tommys body pressed against him.

Suddenly, without warning, the song abruptly ended and the body against his disappeared leaving him feeling oddly cold in the humid room. He opened his eyes to see the back of Tommy as he walked away through the crowd.

Chapter Text

“You still haven’t told me where you disappeared to last night.” Margaret said over breakfast. She'd chosen a plate of fruit which she would never have back home--she would have had bacon and eggs. But, such is a place like this, she couldn't possibly do something differently to even other housewife in the restaurant, and so tucked into a fruit platter.

“I did tell you—I just went for a walk.” 

“A walk?”

“Yes, mom.” He said with a sigh. 

“It was our first night here as a family and you can’t wait to abandon us.” She shook her head. “You can be so selfish sometimes Evan.” 

That familiar heat of frustration he experienced often when around his parents began bubbling in his stomach. It was too early for a fight so he stood up. 

“I’m getting another croissant.” He walked over to the buffet table at the back of the dining hall, wondering how long he could drag out the time it took to get another croissant. 

Lucy was standing at the end filling her plate with fruit and he walked over to her. 

“Uh, h-hey. You guys were great the other night.” He smiled. 

“Thanks.” She mumbled not even looking at him. 

“How-how long have you danced.” 

She finally turned to look at him. “My mother kicked me out when I was 16 and I’ve been dancing ever since.” 

“Man, I, uh.. I envy you.” He admitted. Not that he envied getting kicked out as a teenager, but more that she was able to live a life independent of her parents. She stared at him for half a second before rolling her eyes and walking away. 

Was everybody in a bad mood this morning?

***

Dinner that night was on the outdoor patio of the dining hall. Buck had spent most of it watching Tommy dancing with various women in the bandstand the other side of the path a few yards from where they were eating.

“Aren’t you dancing tonight?” Max approached them.

“We’re waiting for a waltz.” Margaret replied. 

Their voices were in the distant periphery to Buck’s senses. All he could focus on was the memory of dancing with Tommy a few nights ago. 

The feel of his large hands on his hips moving him into the position that he wanted, the heat from his leg in between Buck’s, and those eyes looking at him as his boneless body swayed with Tommy’s.

“Max!” The Middle aged woman dancing with Tommy yelled over. “Aren’t my dance lessons paying off?” 

“You look great, Vivian.” He called back and she turned back and pushed her breasts into Tommys chest. Buck felt a twist of jealousy in his stomach. 

Max leaned down to speak closer to Phillip’s ear. “She’s one of the ‘bungelow bunnies’. That’s what we call the women who come here and stay during the week and their husbands only come on weekends. 

That twist of jealousy in his stomach knotted harder. He wasn’t surprised that Tommy could have any woman of his choosing and it was stupid of Buck to act like he had some kind of possession over the man. Tommy was an adult and who could do as he pleased and if that meant sleeping with the women that were throwing themselves at him then that was his choice. Not that Buck approved of sleeping with someone who was married, mind you. 

But still, the fact remained that Tommy was beautiful and could have his pick of anybody of his choosing—why would someone like Buck make him look twice?

“Good evening mr and mrs Buckley.” Bucks stomach churned at the sound of that voice. 

“Neil. It’s nice to see you.” Phillip responded. “Will you be joining us?” 

Neil gave a sad face and shook his head. “I’m afraid not—I have some work to do. I was actually going to ask Evan, here if he could help me move some heavy boxes.” 

“Me? Oh, I’m-I’m sorry, I-“

“He’d love to help.” Margaret answered for him. 

“Mom, I-“

“Don’t be rude Evan. You will help this lovely young man.” She ordered. 

Buck would literally prefer spending his evening with his parents than spent anymore time around Neil. But he knew it was always pointless to argue. He stole another quick Look at Tommy who was dancing with a different beautiful woman

“Just one second.” Neil said and walked over to the bandstand. He took TOmmy’s elbow and pulled him away from the woman he was dancing with. Buck could just about hear the conversation.

“Where’s Lucy?”

“What do you mean? She’s taking a break—she needs a break!” Tommy told him.

“It better not be an all night break.” Neil warned before walking back to words Buck. “Sorry about that. You just can’t get the staff these days.” 

Reluctantly he followed Neil along the path that led to the staff entrance of the main house. Buck could feel Neil staring at him as they walked and it felt not too dissimilar to being haunted. 

“You know I love the way your curls move in the breeze.” Neil said in a low voice. Buck briefly considered if a shaved head would be a good look for him. 

“You know, my sister wanted me to spend some time with her tonight, so maybe I should get back.” He said trying to find an excuse.

“If she knows you’re with me, she’ll probably be the happiest sister around. I am known as the catch of the county.” He leaned closer to Buck as they walked. Buck felt the urge to vomit.

“I’m sure you are.” He responded deadpan.

“Last week I took a guy from Jamie the bus boy and he said to the guy “What does Neil have that I don’t?” And the guy says: “Three hotels”.” He smiled arrogantly as though he were expecting Buck to be impressed.

“Oh god.” Buck mumbled to himself. “Good for you.” He said louder and a little more impatiently that he had intended. 

A door to one of the buildings further ahead opened and Maddie walked out with Doug following behind. Neither of them noticed Buck or Neil.  “Just let me walk you back to your parents, at least.” Doug argued in an exacerbated tone. 

“Fine.” Maddie snapped, and they walked off in the direction of the restaurant. 

“I’m sure theres nothing to worry about there.” Neil said. “Come on, just in here.” He stepped over to the back door of the kitchen and lead Buck into the building. “Lets have a drink.” 

Buck did not want to have a drink. Or spend anymore time in this mans presence. “I’m fine, thanks.” 

“What? No, you have to have a drink with me. Come on, it won’t cost you anything —perks of knowing me.” He winked. Buck wanted to vomit again. 

While Neil looked inside the fridge, Buck heard a noise coming from somewhere in the back of the kitchen. He took a few steps to the side to see further down the galley and right at the end, half hidden in the shadows under the counter, was Lucy. Her arms were wrapped around her knees and she was shaking as she almost silently cried. She looked up and made eye contact with Buck. 

“Neil?” He called out, turning and walking back over to him. “You know what? I’m really worried about my sister—I should probably check on her. Rain check on the drink?” He put a hand on Neils back hoping that the physical contact would help. It did.

“Oh, she’s your sister, of course.” Buck steered Neil away towards the door making sure his own body blocked the view of the kitchen and left the building.

Thankfully Neil opted to go to his office and as soon as he was gone Buck sprinted back to the restaurant where he’d last seen Eddie and was happy he was still there. He told him what he’d seen and the two of them hurried to find Tommy still at the bandstand dancing. Eddie told him what was happening and the three of them made for the kitchens.

“Why is he still here?” Tommy questioned.

“I thought it would be a good idea in case Neil comes back.” Eddie said. Tommy didn’t respond to that. 

“God, she just doesn’t think.” He ran his hands through his hair.

“She wouldn’t do anything stupid would she?” Eddie asked.

“What’s wrong with her?” Asked Buck.

“She’s pregnant.” 

“Eddie!” Tommy angrily snapped at him. 

Buck wasn’t surprised. The way the Tommy and Lucy danced together.. there was way too much chemistry between them for them to just have been childhood friends no matter what Eddie told him. The intimate way they danced—bodies pressed together, lips close but not quite touching, staring deeply into each others eyes.. theres no way that you could be the convincing unless there was something there. 

And it kind of hurt. He knew it shouldn’t—Tommy wasn’t his. Hell, clearly Tommy didn’t even like him, so it was stupid on his part to even want something from Tommy. And yet, here he was with jealousy fizzing in the pit of his stomach at the thought of Tommy and Lucy together.

“What are you gonna do about it?” He asked Tommy. 

Tommy stopped walking and looked at Buck. Though his face was showing more concern that outright anger, there was something else that Buck could see on his face. Hurt

“What am I-“ He scoffed. “Oh, it’s mine, right? Automatically you think it’s mine?” That fizz of jealously in his stomach began to morph into guilt. 

“I’m sorry, I just assumed..” He looked at Eddie who shook his head back at him. 

Tommy didn’t say anything else to him the rest of the walk. They walked into the kitchen with Buck guiding them to where Lucy was. There wasn’t much light in the place, only a low orange glow from the streetlights shining through the window, but it was enough for Buck to see Tommy’s face soften into concern when he saw her. 

He bent down and in one fluid motion he scooped her up into his arms a, whispering calming words into her ear, and carried her all the way back to the staff quarters. She’d calmed down a little by the time they got there and Tommy fixed her a glass of something and wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. 

“If you’re in trouble you talk to me, and I’ll fix it.” Tommy told her softly. “You should have come to me in the first place.” 

She looked up at him from her seat on the sofa across from him; dried streaks of mascara staining her face. “No, Tommy I’m not taking what little savings you have.” 

“Lucy, that’s my business.” He argued. 

“Besides,” She added. “It wouldn’t be enough.” She began to cry again and put her face in her hands. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do.” 

Buck, who had been quietly standing but the door stepped forward. “H-hey, don’t say that. There’s Gotta be some way to work it out.”

She sniffed and wiped her eyes before looking up at him. “Buck? Is that your name?” He nodded. “Well, Buck, you don’t know shit about my problems.” 

“Uh.. I kinda told him.” Eddie nervously admitted. 

“Jesus, Eddie!.” She chastised. “Now he’s gonna run to his little management boyfriend and we’re all gonna get fired.”

“He is absolutely not my boyfriend.” Buck protested. 

Lucy ignored his protest. “Why not write it in sky writing—Lucy got knocked up by Doug The Creep.”

“Wait, Doug?!” Okay, so he was beginning to believe Tommy wasn’t the father but god damn he wasn’t expecting it to be Doug!

“Look-“ Tommy jumped up from his set angrily but Eddie stopped forward holding his hand out to stop him, then turned to Buck. 

“We know of a doctor in the city who will help and do it off the books.” 

“I-I don’t understand—its legal.”

“It is, but Kellerman requires all of his employees to share their medical records to prove they’re healthy—If he sees an abortion on her records he’ll fire her.” Eddie went on to explain. 

“That’s..” Unethical, probably illegal and just plain fucking gross. 

Lucy laughed but it was cold. “This is the real world, Buck. Kinda different to the cushy, rich, perfect life your family leads, huh? Things don’t work the same way for the rest of us.” 

“I-I don’t know what to say, I.. I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” He’s seen what money and status did to his parents and he had always been determined to never be like them; to never turn a blind eye to those less fortunate them himself, and never ignore someone else’s struggles. But every so often he’d find himself getting severely, and deservedly, humbled. 

“The doc is expensive—its money none of us have” Eddie said. 

“Oh. Well, if it’s money you need I’m certain Doug has it—its studying at Yale. No way his parents don’t have a shit ton of money. I’m sure if you tell him he-“

“He knows.” Lucy interrupted.

“Oh, r-right”

“Just go back to your white picket fence, Buck.” She said. He nodded and left the clubhouse. 

Buck was sitting at the dining table in the cabin watching his father cook dinner. Every so often he’d get up and begin to walk over to his dad, before chickening out and sitting back down. 

“Spit it out, Evan.” Philip said impatiently. 

“Huh?”

“I know when you’re trying to pluck up the courage to say something to me. So what is it?”

Buck considered saying nothing but it was the only solution to the problem that he could see. His dad could say no and it would suck, but not at least trying to do something to help would suck more. Sp, he took a deep breath. 

“I need 20 thousand dollars from my trust. Today.” 

Philip stopped stirring and blinked at his son. “What kind of trouble are you in, Evan?” 

“What? I- Why do you always think I’ve done something wrong?” Philip opens his mouth to answer but Buck continued. “You know what? It doesn’t matter.” He sighed to calm himself. “I need the money to help someone.” 

“Who’s in trouble? Wait, is it Maddie?! Maddie!” He yelled stepping away from the stove. Buck rounded the counter to stop his dad. 

“Dad, stop—it’s not Maddie, okay?”

“Then who is it?”

Buck shifted on his feet. “I can’t tell you. And before you say anything, I’ve never asked for money from you before. Ever. Also, it’s technically my money, anyway.” 

Philip let out a sigh as he stared at his son as he contemplated his request. 

“It’s nothing illegal is it?” He leaned forward and whispered. 

“No. A-a friend just needs some help, like I said.” 

Philip continued stirring the sauce in front of him as he thought about Bucks request. Eventually he sighed and spoke. 

“You can’t tell your mother about this.” 

Buck shook his head. “I won’t.” 

“I’ll do it after dinner.”

Buck sighed in relief. “Thanks dad.” 

***

Buck walked into the staff clubhouse and looked around the dancing bodies until he spotted Tommy, Lucy and Eddie at the bar at the back. He walked over and with a smile handed the check to Lucy. 

“Here’s the money.” He said happily. 

She looked at him in shock, looking at the piece of paper then back up at Buck; a hopeful smile began to form. “You mean Doug?”

“What? Oh, no I didn’t ask him.” 

That hopeful smile disappeared. “So where’d you get the money.”

Buck shrugged. “You said you needed it.” 

“Is this kid for real?” She asked Tommy as she stared at the check in disbelief. 

“Yeah, takes a real saint to ask mommy and daddy for money.” He snarled. 

“It my money, not theirs.” He replied defensively. 

Lucy smiled softly at Buck before he faded. “Thanks, Buck, but I can’t take it.”

Tommy stood from his seat and looked at her. “What? What’s the matter with you? You should take the money.” Lucy didn’t respond, only looked at Eddie. 

“The doctor only has availability next Thursday.” Eddie explained. “They do their act at the Sheldrake hotel in the city that night. They cancel? They lose this seasons salary and next seasons gig.” 

“Can’t somebody fill in?” Buck asked. 

“No, Mr Fix-It” Tommy snapped. “Nobody else can fill in. Everybody has to work and has no time to learn the routines, and someone has to fill in for Lucy here. Everybody works around here.” He gulped down some beer. “Why? Do you wanna do it?” He laughed at his own ridiculous suggestion. 

“It’s not a bad idea.” Eddie remarked looking at Tommy.

“It was a joke, Eddie.” Tommy said. 

“He can move—I saw him with you the other night.” Eddie argued. 

“No—it’s the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard.” 

“Come on Tommy, you’re a great teacher!” Lucy chimed in. “And you’ve danced professionally with men before. And it’s not like the people at the Shelldrake are gonna care—it’s a queer friendly place.” 

Buck was just watching everybody discuss him as though he wasn’t there. Tommy was right—it was a ridiculous suggestion. 

“No, look, he’s right—i can’t.” Buck told them. 

“See! He just said he can’t do it!” Tommy pointed to Buck. “And what about the lift?” 

“What about it?” Lucy asked. 

“Look at him. He about the same size as me—no way am I going to be able to lift him above my head. 

“So, do a different lift.” Lucy argued, like it was obvious. 

“I-“ Tommy sighed and stared at Buck as though he were trying to figure something out. 

“Is there really nobody else that can help?” Asked Buck. 

“No.” Lucy shook her head. “And besides, the less people that know, the less chance we get found out and fired. What do you say? You in?”

Buck looked across at Tommy who was still watching him. “It’s up to him.” 

They all stared at Tommy waiting for him to make a decision. Eventually he downed the last of his beer and sat the empty bottle on the bar. 

“Don’t make me regret this.”

Chapter Text

Buck was nervous as he climbed the steps to the club house. He’d spent half the night and all of the morning going back and forth about walking away from the whole thing. He had a natural rhythm and could be taught some steps but there was a big difference between learning a few steps and performing an entire routine in front of an audience.

But let’s face it—a large part of why he was doing this was because he wanted to be around Tommy. He was inexplicably drawn to the man and for reasons he couldn’t decipher.

It was weird to be in the clubhouse during the day. The outside shutters on the windows had been lifted allowing bright wing light to illuminate the space. It smelt mostly of chemicals with an under current of stale beer.

Standing in the middle of the room he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and almost choked on his saliva. Tommy was wearing the same high-waisted dance pants and Cuban dance shoes, paired with a white sleeveless tank top on his upper body.

And his arms were huge! They’d been somewhat hidden underneath his shirt the last few times Buck had seen him but he could see now why it looked so easy for Tommy to throw Lucy around. 

“If we’re going to do this, you’re going to do exactly what I say. No complaints or arguments. Got it?”

Buck didn’t care for Tommy’s tone, but he felt bad for Lucy and really wanted to help her. So, just as he’d learned to do when dealing with his parents, he sucked it up.

“Yeah. Got it.”

Tommy stood looking Bucks body up and down assessing him and it made Buck feel oddly self conscious. He was wearing a pair of grey sweats and a white T-shirt, yet felt almost like he’d been caught naked.

“What size shoe do you take?”

“13.”

“Good. Same as me—I’ll find you a spare pair of mine.” Buck nodded. “In the mean time you’ll have to simulate wearing a heel by keeping your heels off the ground 2 inches at all times.”

“Right.”

“We’re gonna start with some basic steps and go from there.”

“Okay.” Buck said as Tommy pulled out his phone. He slid his thumb across the screen a few times until music began to play from the speakers around the room. He stepped into Bucks space and Buck felt the prickle of nerves skitter across his skin.

“One of the most important things is keeping your frame tight.” He pressed forward Bucks lower back in at the same time pushed his chest backward and Bucks posture straightened up. “Your shoulders should be kept back at all times and arms locked in place.” He lifted and positioned Bucks arms into place as though he were holding somebody invisible. Then, he took a position next to him and lifted his arms to match.

“Watch my feet and copy what I’m doing.” He stepped forward with his left foot then moved it back to his right food. Then, he moved his right foot back before bringing it forward to its original position.

Buck watched him repeat the moves a couple of times then, taking a breath, began to move his feet. He moved the wrong foot a few times but quickly caught on and was able to mimic Tommy’s feet.

“Good.” Tommy said. “Keep going.” The unexpected praise did something to him he wasn’t expecting. He loved when his parents praised him because they rarely ever did, but this was different. This warm feeling in his chest was about doing a good job. Specifically a good job for Tommy. The man stepped forward and stood in front Buck watching him repeat the steps, every so often lifting Bucks arms that had begun to sag.

It felt weird at first, moving to the music in a bright sunny room, with Tommy standing watching him. But the more he saw Tommy nodding the more he relaxed. Occasionally Tommy would adjust his arms or body and his stomach swooped every time Tommy’s warm and large hands touched his skin.

“Don’t put your heel down.”

“I’m not.” Buck argued.

“Don’t put your heel down!”

“I’m not.” He argued again, getting more frustrated.

“I can see it on the floor. Just listen to me.” Tommy said firmly, his brows pulled tight together.

“I-“ Buck sighed, annoyed but swallowed the argument that was in his throat.

“Again.” Tommy said when he was satisfied Bucks feet were correct, and began counting and adding instruction. “2,3,4 shoulders back.. 2,3,4 don’t lift up.. 2,3,4 don’t look down.. 2,3,4…”

They continued like this for a few hours. Tommy would add new moves every so often and Buck was slowly getting the hang of them, albeit with a few moments where he almost lost his temper. Tommy was no doubt a good teacher but he was quite demanding at times. But what had surprised Buck was that over time, he had softened a little on his demeanour. Though his words were demanding, his tone was softer. He seemed to see that Buck was trying his best.

***

A few days later they were back at the clubhouse for their- he’d lost count what number lesson it was. Aside from when Tommy was working or when Buck couldn’t get away from his parents, he was with Tommy.

“The steps aren’t enough—you have to feel the music. It’s like a heartbeat.” He raised his hand to his heart and tapped rhythmically. “Ba-bum. Ba-bum.” He voiced in time with his hand tapping.

Buck tried to mimic the rhythm on his own chest but was struggling to feel what Tommy was feeling. He took Bucks hand and placed in on his own chest, encompassing Bucks hand with his own.

“Ba-bum. Ba-bum.” Tommy repeated, softly.

He could feel Tommy’s heartbeat. He closed his eyes and let his breathing calm as his own heart rate slowed to match Tommy’s.

He’d started this process a bundle of nerves. Not just about the idea of performing a routine in front of people, but also just being in Tommy’s presence. The man’s existence lit Bucks nerves on fire and had done since the first moment he saw him.

But, over the last few days spent with Tommy, those nerves had begun to subside and be replaced with a sense of calm. Don’t get him wrong—whenever Tommy looked at him with those eyes, or touched him with those hands, his heart rate would spike and his stomach did that stupid swooping thing. But when they danced together something settled within him. There was something meditative about Tommy holding him firmly and leading him around the dance floor.

***

Lucy joined them on one of his lessons to assess them from an outside perspective. Tommy had given him some dance shoes, and pants that she’d had to take down at the ankle because of his “ridiculously long legs.” Tommy had called them leading Buck to blush. But wearing the right gear actually made him feel more confident in what he was doing.

“Head up.” Tommy tilted Bucks head up via two fingers under the chin and Buck almost forgot how to breathe. “Lock your frame.” He said tensing his arms. “Lock your-“ He sighed. “These are spaghetti arms.” He shook Bucks arms before letting go.

He stepped back and held his arms out wider and gestured downward. “This is my dance space. This-“ he gestured to the space in front of Buck. “-is your dance space. I don’t go into yours, you don’t go into mine. Ya gotta hold the frame.” He stepped back towards Bucks and took hold of him. “Again.”

Lucy pressed play on the music then came up behind Buck, moving along with them and adjusting Bucks posture or arms every time it would slip.

***

Buck was exhausted. He was happy to be helping and, to his own surprise, actually started to enjoy learning to dance. But they’d been non-stop for five days.

Tommy was a fantastic teacher—breaking down the steps in ways that Buck could understand, but he was also a drill sergeant. It was no surprise that he’d been in the army and was probably very good and whatever he did.

A thunderstorm had rolled in and the rain was torrential. Buck had texted Tommy asking if they could have the morning off but he’d said no. He was giving his usual orders while they practiced and Bucks patience was beginning to wear thin.

“..Back.. and turn.. down.. and lift—you’ll learn that later.. c’mon.. down.. twist.. and- arghh!”

Buck had leaned a little too far back at the end of the sequence and almost tore Tommy’s shoulder.

“Sorry! Sor-“

“Are you trying to kill me?! You gotta concentrate! Is this your idea of fun?” He snapped.

All of the exhaustion rushed to the surface and Buck couldn’t stop it from shooting out of his mouth.

“Yeah, as a matter of fact it is. We’re supposed to do the show in two days, you won’t show me the lift, I’m not sure of the turns.. I’m doing all of this to save your ass and what I really wanna do is drop you on it.”

His chest was heaving by the time he’d finished and Tommy simply stood wide-eyed and surprised at Bucks outburst.

“Then let’s get out of here.”

***

Thirty minutes in Tommys truck later they were walking into a wooden area filed with tall enough trees that the canopy above blocked out most of the rain. Tommy lead him further by foot for roughly ten minutes before they came to a quietly flowing stream.

“Shoes and socks off.” Tommy said after near enough silence for most of the journey.

Buck had resisted the urge to yap away on the drive, instead choosing to keep sneaking looks at Tommy as he drove. He had the windows open 2 inches to relieve the inside of the car of some of the humidity caused by the rain. The breeze flowing through the small gap was causing Tommy’s un-styled curls to dance and Buck considered reaching out more than once and running his fingers through them. They just looked so incredibly soft!

A few times Tommy had caught him looking and the ensuing blush from Buck at getting caught had caused a subtle smile on Tommy’s face.

“Why?”

Tommy simply looked at him and, barefoot, walked over to the fallen tree that was lying across the stream about 4 foot above. He took a deep breath, stretched his arms out either side of him and cautiously walked across the downed trunk, stopping in the centre, stopping to face Buck.

“It’s about balance. Learning how to control it and keep your body perfectly in place. This is the best way to learn how to do that.” He demonstrated that by walking forward and backwards with confidence. He wavered a couple of times but managed to right himself without fuss.

“What got you into dancing?” Buck asked out of nowhere. He mostly expected Tommy to ignore the question but surprisingly he bent down, grasping the log with his hands and swinging his legs down to sit astride it.

“A few months after I was discharged from the army, I was in a diner and got talking to this guy who was a dance teacher. He told me about a course he was running that would teach you the dances, and how to break them down and teach them to others. I actually wanted to be a dancer as a kid and my mom took me to a few lessons, but my dad.. let’s just say he had a very traditional view of what boys should do. Which meant no dancing and when I came of age joining the military like him and my grandfather before him.”

He huffed a laughed to himself as though he was also surprised at his own candour. He grabbed the log again and brought himself back up to a standing position, then reached out his hand gesturing with his finger for Buck to join him.

“Wha- no. No way.” Buck gave an incredulous laugh and waved his hands. Tommy had a mischievous smile on his face and Buck couldn’t help be powerless to it. It was the happiest he’d seen Tommy since this whole thing started.

He stood up and tentatively, and shakily, stepped onto the tree trunk. He couldn’t help the high pitched sound that came from his mouth when he wobbled too much and almost fell into the stream. Tommy reacted quickly and grabbed him by the arm and righted him, complete with a snort at Bucks incompetence.

“Shut up.” Buck threw back with no heat behind it.

Once they had both got their bearings again, Tommy stepped forward and took Buck in his arms like he had dozens of times over last week. 

“We’re going to do the steps I first taught you, okay? Forward, back to the centre, then backwards. Yeah?”

“Uh-y-yeah.” Buck said looking down at his feet. Again, Tommy tipped Bucks head up by his chin. Only this time there was gentleness in the action that hadn’t been there before.

“Look at me, Evan.” Tommy softly said. This time it wasn’t voiced at Buck like an order—it was said in a comforting tone; like he was reassuring Buck that he had him.

That was the first time he’d used his actual name and contrary to how he felt when his parents used it, this felt- Hearing it spoken in Tommy’s smooth voice sent something hot directly up the length of his spine and he immediately looked up to Tommy’s gaze.

“Keep looking at me and your feet and body will follow what you already know.” And he wasn’t wrong. As Buck stared intently at Tommy, he wasn’t able to replicate the steps he’d learned without much thought. “It’s not just to help with keeping you focused.” He said.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, we’re supposed to be dancing like we’re in love.” He answered. “Or at least romantically involved.” He joked, leaning his head closer as he said it. “The audience have to believe that it’s real; it’s all part of the performance.”

“Yeah?”

“Mm-hmm. Why else did you think I was the one who got Lucy pregnant? You bought what we were selling.” He winked.

Buck cringed at the memory. “I’m-I’m sorry about that. I shouldn’t have assumed.”

“It’s fine.” He said giving Buck a soft smile.

“Have.. you and Lucy ever..” Tommy tipped his head back and laughed loudly which Buck wasn’t expecting. “What?”

Tommy straightened his face and looked back at Buck. “I’m gay, Evan.”

“Oh.”

OH. That.. Was it relief that Buck was feeling? That buzzing, excited feeling low in his belly was definitely positive. But it was the same feeling he got when he discovered a woman he liked didn’t have a boyfriend.

Buck suddenly felt exposed. Like his inner thoughts were decorating his body and easily readable.

He changed the subject. “So, what about the lift?”

“Well, the best place to learn that is in the water.”

“I’m-I’m sorry, in the water?”

***

“But.. we have no trunks or towels or anything.” Buck argued.

Tommy looked at him. “You wearing underwear?”

“Uh.. yeah?”

“Then you’re fine. Nobody is around.” He gestured to the empty shoreline of the lake they were standing in front of. “You want to learn the lift and this is the best way to do it. Unless you want to do it in the hotel pool in front of everyone else.”

“I-“ Buck contemplated that option and the idea of everyone watching him probably make a fool of himself made the choice an easy, although reluctant, one.

“Okay.”

No sooner as he’d agreed and Tommy was removing his shirt. Bucks eyes were glued to the vast and intricate musculature of Tommys back. Each muscle stretching and constricting with his movements. And then Tommy lowered his sweatpants and listen.. Buck tried really fucking hard to not look, okay? But Tommy’s ass in his dance pants was already a sight to behold but when it’s only covered by the thin fabric of his oh so tight boxer briefs and three feet in front of his face he couldn’t not look? And-

Oh god.

The realisation hit him like a freight train to the face. Every twist and swoop of his stomach, every goosebump that popped up without permission when his hands touched his skin, every organ that got melted by the heat in his chest when the man looked at him with those cerulean blues..

He liked Tommy.

A big, fat, picking flower petals, writing his name in a journal circled with a heart around it, wants to kiss his mouth crush!

Well, shit.

Chapter Text

“Okay, so usually I lift Lucy directly over my head, but there’s no way I’m going to be able to do that with you.”

“Gee, thanks.” Buck chuckled.

“Come on—you’re almost the same size as me.” Tommy argued. “So, we’re going to have to do a different lift instead.”

“Fair enough.”

“There’s a point in the routine where I’ll spin you out to the other side of the stage, then you’ll run towards me, jump, and I grab you by the waist and hold you up.” Buck nodded. “You need to keep your body tight, your back arched and your arms straight up in the air. Your instinct will be to try and stop yourself from falling by grabbing on to me—you mustn’t do that. You have to trust me that I got you, okay?

“I-I do.”

“Good.” Tommy smiled “Now, it can be tricky to find your balance at first which is why we’re doing this in the water so if we fall neither of us will get hurt. You’re going to bend your knees then push up and jump and I’ll catch you and hold you up.”

Tommy moved closer in the water and took Buck by the waist. The goosebumps spreading over Buck’s skin were from the cold water and absolutely not from where Tommys hands were on his bare waist..

“Ready?” He asked and Buck nodded. “Okay, on the count of 3.. one..two..three!” Buck bent his knees and pushed himself up and out of the water into Tommy’s body and he held him tightly in the air. “That’s it, you got it-woah! Woah, woah!”

He was right about Bucks instinct to grab hold of him and without thinking he dropped his arms to Tommys shoulders and it knocked him off balance. They tipped backwards, Buck landing on top of Tommy in the water with a large splash. They both came back up, spitting out lake water and wiping their hair from foreheads. There was something about seeing Tommy’s usually coifed curls laying flat on his head that endeared him. He’d only ever seen him looking made up for performing or a little disheveled afterwards. He’d never seen him like this: wet and messy: raw.

“I am so sorry.” Buck said expecting Tommy to be pissed at him.

“Why do you think I’m having you practice this in the water?” He teased with a wink and Buck stopped breathing for a second. He took him by the waist again. “Let’s go again.”

Lift after lift after lift they practiced. Slowly Buck began to go against his instincts and let Tommy take his weight, trusting that he had him safely in his hands. There were many falls into the water but each time he was able to stay up in the air for longer as he learned to balance his body better.

It wasn’t just learning how to do the lift that left him feeling good (and a little sore) by the time they left the water. It was how relaxed Tommy had been while they were practicing. They laughed like idiots when they fell and he’d playfully splash Buck with water when he’d make a teasing joke. And that was the other thing—he’d tease Buck right back but it never felt mean. It was always playful and honestly charming as hell. He was completely different from the closed off and bitchy Tommy Buck had met 10 days before.

Later that night when Buck went to bed he fell asleep imagining Tommy’s beautiful laugh and gorgeous smile. Maybe coming on vacation with his parents wasn’t so bad at all.

Bucks feet were beginning to hurt. He’d been standing still on one of the benches in the clubhouse for an hour while Lucy worked on the pants he was going to wear for the performance. She folded and pinned and hemmed and whatever else that Buck had no clue about. His nerves were beginning to show. Tomorrow was the night and he’d done nothing for the last few hours but got through all of the routine in his head trying to remember everything.

He held his arms up in the default position and went through some of the rules that Tommy had taught him, out loud.

“So, I keep my shoulders down, I keep my head up, my, uh, frame locked, stay on my toes and..” he dropped his arms with a sigh. “What if I forget my steps?”

Lucy stood up. “Pull up, watch your frame and remember to let him lead you.”

“I’m just.. I’m-I’m afraid I’m going to forget to spot, get dizzy and fall on my ass.” He told her. “No-“ he said trying to shake away his apprehension and lifting his arms back up. “Don’t look at my feet, keep my head up, my eyes open, tension in my arms, my frame locked, seat pulled up..”

“Thanks, Buck.” Lucy said softly. Buck turned to look at her and her expression was soft, but worried. “Look, I just want you to know that I don’t sleep around. I mean, whatever Doug might have told you.” She sat down on the bench and sighed sadly. “You know I actually thought that he loved me?” Buck stepped down and sat beside her. “He told me I was someone special. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that.”

Buck nodded silently, not really knowing what to say to her. Truthfully, he didn’t care if she was the type to sleep around—she was an adult and could do what she wanted. But the fact that she felt the need to explain herself made Buck feel for her. Even more so that this whole thing was because of that asshole Doug.

He stood up to face her, giving a half hearted pose “So, how does it look?”

“You look good.”

“Yeah?” He said preening just a little.

“Yeah, you-“ she closed her eyes and turned away from him before sniffing.

He moved to the other side of her. “Hey, what’s the matter?”

She looked up at him, eyes filled with wet emotion. “I’m scared, Buck. I’m so scared.”

“Don’t worry.” He said softly, pulling her into a hug. “You’ll be fine.”

“Are mom and dad around?”

“No, they’re playing shuffleboard at the main house. Why?” Maddie answered.

“Good. I need a favour.” Buck said joining her at the dining table.

“Okay..”

“Later tonight can you tell them that I’m in bed with a migraine?”

“Why? Where are you going to be!” She looked at him curiously.

He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. Will you do it?”

“Not if you don’t tell me what it is you’re actually going to be doing.” She said.

“It-it doesn’t matter.”

“Yes, it does. No truth, no cover, Buck.”

He sat back in his chair. It’s not that he was ashamed of what he was doing—far from it. He was actually enjoying himself. It was more that doing this thing with Tommy was something that was his. His family wasn’t involved in, and his parents couldn’t criticise, what he was doing.. he has something of his own.

“What’s going on with you?” Her face showed concern. “You’ve been disappearing a lot. Are you in trouble?”

“What? No. No, it’s not.. it’s not like that.” He argued.

“Then what is it?”

“I’ve.. I’ve been.. dancing.” He admitted. And okay, saying it out loud makes it sound dumb that he’s been hiding it.

“Dancing? That’s what you’ve been sneaking out for?” Her face was skeptical.

“Yeah.” He went on to explain about Tommy and Lucy (though he left out the pregnancy part and simply said she had a medical problem) and how they’d ask him to step in for her.

“But, you’re a guy..” she said confused.

“Men can dance with each other, too, Maddie.” He said in a slightly admonishing tone.

“I know that, Buck. I just mean wouldn’t it have made more sense for her to be replaced with another woman?”

“Technically yeah, but there wasn’t anybody else available to help. And the hotel we’re performing at is queer-friendly so they won’t mind.”

She tilted her head and looked at him strangely.

“What?”

“You- I love you, you know that, right? And.. whoever you are, whatever you’re- No matter what you will always be my baby brother and I’ll always support you.” She smiled softly.

“I do know that. And I love you too..” He said back, somewhat confused as to what she was getting at.

“Is there.. is there something you want to tell me?”

“Like what?”

She smiled for a few moments before getting up and placing a hand on his shoulder. “I’m not going to push you into talking about it if you’re not ready to. But, just know I’m here when you are.” She leant down and kissed him on the cheek and left the room, leaving Buck wondering if his crush on Tommy was not as secret at as he thought.

Buck stood behind the curtain and tried his best to breathe through the nerves bubbling away in his stomach. He knew the moves; could practically do them in his sleep. And Tommy had continually praised his learning, telling him how good a job he was doing. And aside from the hot feeling in his lower stomach at hearing Tommy praise him, it actually made him feel more confident in their upcoming performance.

But now he was standing behind the stage to actually do the performance and the nerves were kicking in to high gear. A hand on his shoulder from behind made him jump.

“Sorry.” Tommy said removing his hand. Buck felt a tinge of disappointment.

“It’s-it’s fine. I was just zoned out there for a moment.”

Tommy turned Buck by the shoulders to face him. “You are going to do great. You know the moves, you know the routine—you got this. We got this.” He smiled and bucks while stomach fizzed, which was not helping.

Someone with a headset and a clipboard gestured that they needed to get into place as their performance was about to start. They took their place at the side of the stage awaiting their announcement to walk out.

Tommy lightly gripped Bucks hand at his side.

“We got this.” He smiled.

Buck took a deep breath keeping his eyes on Tommy’s. “We got this.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Shelldrake hotel is proud to present, Tommy Kinard and partner in Mambo Magic.”

The music began playing and Tommy moved first leading Buck out onto the stage.

***

Buck was riding high as they drove back to Kellerman’s. He could barely remember the performance—it went by in a blur of movements. He did remember how safe he felt on stage with Tommy. How he knew that Tommy had him; wouldn’t have let him fall or make a fool of himself. It actually surprised him how easily he could give himself over to the man completely while they moved around the stage; allowing him to push and pull, spin and practically throw him around, and trust completely that he’d be caught safely in his arms.

But the way Tommy looked a him as something that burned into his soul. And he knew, as Tommy explained, that it was an act—they weren’t really in love, but, he could not get those eyes out of his mind and the way they bore into him. He’d never forget how close their faces were; their lips a hairs breadth away from on another’s and how easy it would have been for Buck to just close that gap and kiss him.

“You did good by way.” Tommy said breaking the silence in the car. “You should be proud of yourself.” He threw a quick smile to Buck before his eyes shifted back to the road.

“Yeah? I thought for sure I’d screw up when I couldn’t do the lift.”

Tommy had spun him to the side of the stage and moved beautifully to the other side awaiting Buck running back to him. But steps away from Tommy, Buck had a moment of doubt and stumbled into him. It was subtle and the audience didn’t seem to notice, and Tommy, ever the professional, managed to quickly change it up by spinning him around and carrying on with the routine, whispering quietly into Bucks ear what was going to happen next.

“Hey, you did really good. Especially considering it was your first ever dance performance.” Tommy told him.

“Thanks. And-and for everything. Taking the time to teach me.. I know I can be a pain in ass.”

Tommy chuckled. “Oh, is that what that was? You being a pain in the ass?” He teased as he pulled into the staff quarters parking lot. He quickly got out and before Buck even realised he’d rounded the car and was opening Bucks door for him. Buck stepped out and Tommy stepped closer, taking his hand. “I’m the one who owes you a thanks for helping. You-“

“Tommy!” Eddie’s voice carried loudly as he ran over to them looking scared to death. “It’s Lucy.” He ran back towards Lucy’s cabin with Tommy and Buck following.

They stoped into Lucy’s room to see her writhing on her bed, crying in pain and covered in sweat as she clutched her stomach. Tommy immediately knelt down by her bed side.

“She told me not to do anything until you got back.” Eddie said.

“You didn’t call ambulance?” Tommy asked.

“She’d get admitted under her own name and Kellerman would find out. She made me promise.” Eddie explained. He ran a hand over his face and paced as he told them what happened at the clinic. “I don’t know what that.. that butcher did but I could hear screaming.” Tears were filling his eyes as he recalled the memory. “I tried to get in there. I swear to god, Tommy I tried.”

“I thought you said you were taking her to a real doctor?” Buck questioned.

“He is a real doctor. At least he was.. his clinic is the only one around that will do the procedure anonymously.”

“It’s alright.” Tommy whispered softly to Lucy, running a hand through her clammy hair. “It’s going to be alright.”

Buck wanted to help. And he could. But, there was definitely going to be some repercussions for him afterward. He left them and ran as fast as he could back to his family’s cabin and straight into his parent’s room. He turned on the lamp on his father’s side of the bed and nudged him awake.

“Dad? Dad?”

Philip abruptly woke up and looked around confused before focusing on his son. “What-what is it?”

“It’s an emergency. You need to come with me.” Buck told him walking over to the door. Philip swung his legs out of the bed, grabbing his robe from the chair across from him and sliding on his slippers.

“Is it Maddie?” He asked.

“No, she’s fine. Just hurry.”

Philip grabbed his medical bag and the two of them made for Lucy’s cabin as fast as they could, with Buck explaining what happened to her as they went.

They stepped inside and Philip immediately went to work assessing Lucy, speaking reassuring words to her as he checked her over. It was always so jarring to Buck to hear his dad say comforting things to his patients when he never did that to him or Maddie when they were sick.

“Who’s responsible for this girl?” He asked, his tone harsh.

“I am, Sir.” Tommy said stepping forward. “Please, is she-“ He struggled to get the words out. Buck had been on the receiving end of many derisive looks from his father over the course of his life, but he’d never seen the one that Philip was shooting at Tommy. The pure disgust on his face was clear, assuming, like Buck had, that Tommy was the father. He ordered everybody out so that he could work and they did so without argument.

Tommy was pacing back and forth in front of the cabin as they waited for news. Buck felt his heart crack seeing the worry on Tommy’s face and the tension in his body as tried to hold himself together. Buck had to do something. He stepped down from the cabins porch and walked over to him, opening his arms and taking him into a hug. He was surprised when Tommy didn’t resist, instead letting himself press into Bucks body, crossing his arms around Bucks waist and shoving his face into his neck. Buck let his fingertips play with the hair on the back of Tommy’s head softly hoping that it would bring him some comfort.

After what felt like an eternity, Philip emerged from Lucy’s room.

“Dad? Is she going to be okay?”

“She should be fine. I’ve given her some antibiotics and some pain relief but she’ll have to visit her doctor in the next few days for a check up.” Everybody sighed in relief.

Tommy stepped forward holding out his hand “Doctor Buckley, thank you for helping her, I-“ Philip turned his head away from him and stepped down from the cabin and walked away. Buck opened his mouth to say something to Tommy but was interrupted by his father.

“Evan.” He called out firmly. It was in that specific tone his dad used that meant he had no option but to obey. Buck might have been a fully functioning adult, and could—and had—rebelled in many ways over the years, but there was still some things his parents did or said that took him right back to being a kid and he struggled to go against.

“I’m sorry.” He shamefully mumbled to Tommy and quickly followed after his father.

Philip was silent for most of the walk back to their cabin. It was type of angry silence Buck would experience as a kid that scared him. He’d gotten used to his parents yelling at him about all of his wrong doings and all of their disappointment, but those moments where they were so angry they made no sound? Those were the moments Buck feared the most.

Eventually, Philip broke the silence. “I won’t tell your mother about this.”

“Th-thanks, dad.”

“I’m not doing it for you.” He snapped back. “Your mother would be disgusted and it would only ruin her vacation.” He spat. “What were you thinking spending time with those people?”

“What do you mean those people?” Buck said back.

“Come on, Evan—we taught you better than that. Do you know how it will make you look to be around people who-“

“Who what, dad? Who are nice? Decent? Loyal?” This wasn’t the first time he’d called his parents out on their judgement of others they saw as below them, but it was the first time he’d felt this level of anger about it. His blood felt hot in his veins and he clenched his fists in an effort to contain himself. “They’re good people. If you actually knew them you’d-“

“Don’t give me that crap, Evan. Good people don’t sleep around and get themselves in trouble. Although I’m not surprised—I saw how she danced and what she wears, she was just asking for trouble.”

“Fuck you!” The words came flying out of his mouth, forced out by the rage that boiled up from his chest.

Philip stopped in his tracks and turned, shocked, to look at his son. “What did you just say to me?!”

“How dare you judge her! Judge any of them! You have no right to think that about her, about them. They’re good people—decent people, and if you dared to get off your high horse and actually got to know them you’d see that. But no, you sit up there all high and mighty looking down on people who don’t have as many zeros in their bank accounts as you. People who have struggled and fought for everything they have, far more than you’ve ever had to do, because you’ve had it handed to you.” 

Philip opened his mouth to respond to his son but Buck turned and walked away angrily.

“Where do you think you’re going, Evan?!” He called out.

Buck didn’t reply, just continued to walk away. He’d witnessed his parents judgement of others since he was a kid and old enough to understand what they said of people. And the older got the more he pushed back against their opinions, which historically never went down well. These days he learned to pick his battles with them, mostly out of fear that they’d kick him out of their house which they had threatened to do many times. But the way his father spoke with such disdain about Tommy, about all of them, hit him somewhere deeper than it had before. These were good people trying to make a living and didn’t deserve to be spoken about like that. 

There was going to be a hell of a consequence waiting for him when he goes back to his parents but for now he needed to be somewhere else. Somewhere he felt safe. To no surprise he found himself at Tommy’s door. 

Chapter Text

Buck knocked on the door and his stomach flipped with anticipation at the sound of Tommy’s Cuban dance heels walking across the wood flooring of his cabin. The hinges squeaked as Tommy opened the door and looked surprised that Buck was standing there. 

“Can-can I come in?”

Tommy looked at him for a second before nodding, allowing Buck to walk past him into the cabin. It was essentially one large room, with a kitchenette on one side and a few items of old and dilapidated furniture—a bed, dresser, a table with 1 chair and a bookcase. Surprisingly it wasn’t as neat as Buck assumed it would be—Tommy always seemed so put together, and given his military background Buck had assumed he’d carried on those military habits after he discharged. 

“I guess it’s not a great room. Yours is probably much fancier.” Tommy said and looked almost ashamed of his surroundings. 

“No-no, it’s great.” Buck told him, trying to put him at ease. 

Tommy walked over to the chair by the desk that had clothes thrown over it and quickly removed them, throwing into the room at the back that was presumably the bathroom. He gestured for Buck to sit. 

“I’m sorry about the way my dad treated you. That.. that wasn’t okay.” 

“No, your father was great. I mean.. the way he took care of Lucy-“

“Yeah, but I-I mean the way he was with you.” Buck interpreted. “It- they’re not exactly nice people, my parents. They think.. they think they’re better than others because they have money. My dad-

“No, but the way he saved her? I could never do something like that. That was something, you know? I mean, the reason people treat me like I’m nothing is because I’m nothing.”

He said it so matter of factly as though it were obvious and it shocked Buck. How could Tommy think that of himself? “That’s not true!” He argued. “You.. you’re everything.”

Tommy shook his head. “You don’t understand the way it is for someone like me. Last month I’m eating skittles to keep alive and this month women are shoving diamonds in my pockets. I’m balancing on shit and as quick as anything I can be down there again.” 

“No, that’s not the way it is, Tommy. It-it doesn’t have to be that way.” 

Tommy sighed and ran a hand down his face. “I’ve never met anybody like you before.” Buck would have thought that was a compliment if not for the frown on Tommys face. “You look at the world and think that you can make it better. Somebody’s lost? You find them. Somebody’s bleeding? You-“

“Yeah, I go get my dad.” Buck threw back with an eye roll. “Really brave of me, right?” The sarcasm oozed from his lips. 

“Actually, I that took a lot of guts to go to him.” Tommy argued back to Bucks surprise. “It’s like you’re not scared of anything, you-“

“Me?!” He interrupted again. “I’m scared of everything! I’m scared of what happened to Lucy, I’m scared of my part in it, of who I am, of-of who I want to be..” Tommy walked over to the other side of his cabin and looked out of the window. Buck kept talking but even he was surprised at what came out next. “And-and most of all I’m scared of walking out of this room and never feeling my whole life the way.. the way I feel when I’m with you.”

Tommy had somehow inexplicably taken root in his chest. He’d never been in love before so had no frame of reference for what he was feeling, but it felt an awful lot like what others described as love. He was consumed by the man in front of him. He’d been permanently etched into Buck’s core like a cave painting that no matter how many changes happen over a thousand years, it would still be there telling the story of this beautiful man that changed the fibre of his being. 

Tommy turned back to him; his face a mixture of fear and surprise. This whole interaction had confused Buck because Tommy never seemed like the kind of man who got scared. He was cool and confident. Someone who carried himself tall and unapologetic. But Buck could see that fear in those beautiful blue eyes of his and he couldn’t stand it.

He stood up from the chair keeping his eyes on Tommy’s as he walked across the room to him. “Dance with me.” He held out his hand. Tommy looked at it then back at Bucks face. 

“Here?” He said quietly, an edge of surprise in his tone. 

Buck simply smiled softly and flexed his hand as a silent request for Tommy to take it. After a moment he did and let Buck guide him to the back of the room where there was a little more space. Buck closed the gap between them, placing his hands on Tommys chest for a moment to relish in the feel of his heartbeat against his palm, before wrapping one arm around Tommys bicep to hold his shoulder from behind, while the other hand slid up and rested on the back of Tommys neck; his thumb stroking the hairs at the base of his head. Tommy crossed his arms behind Bucks middle and let out a long breath. Buck felt him relax into the embrace and he tucked his head tightly into Tommys neck. 

For a long time they swayed like that slowly to the music. Tommy’s hands were gently running up and down Bucks back and each time he’d begin to move his hands upward, his fingertips would catch on the hem of Bucks T-shirt. His heart rate would increase every time he felt Tommys fleeting featherlight touch of the skin of his lower back. Bucks hands moved too—slowly across Tommys shoulder blades, around his biceps then down his arms. When he got to Tommy’s hands, Tommy turned his palms and splayed his fingers allowing Buck to slide his in between. 

And then he felt it—Tommy’s lips on his neck. It was delicate and barely there, but unmistakable. His breath hitched at the feel and he in involuntarily squeezed Tommy’s hands. His breath was ghosting across Bucks skin and Buck had to hold down a whimper that was threatening to erupt from his throat. 

Tommy let go of Bucks hands, sliding his around Bucks waist again and guiding them into another sway. Buck practically melted into him. There was something magical about being in Tommy’s arms; medicinal, even. As though all the pain, physical or emotional, he’d endured in his life didn’t exist. The fog of Tommy hid it all from view. In a moment of confidence that even he couldn’t tell where it came from, he reciprocated Tommy’s kiss by pressing his lips into Tommys neck. It was just as gentle and fleeting as Tommy’s and he felt more than heard Tommy suck in a breath and he felt a little surge of pride. 

They continued swaying and Tommy tangled his hands in the fabric of Bucks shirt, gripping it tightly. Buck considered that maybe he was also a source of comfort for Tommy, too. Then, as if he could hear Bucks thoughts about what he wanted; what he craved, he slowly began to pull Bucks shirt up. Buck didn’t have to even think before he raised his arms allowing Tommy to pull it off him and throw it somewhere across the room before wrapping his arms around Bucks middle again then slowly running his fingertips up and down his back as he continued to move them in a their gentle sway. 

Bucks face found its place again in the crook of Tommy’s neck and he relished in the scent of him. A subtle hint of spice, from his cologne or maybe laundry detergent, mixed with a more natural musk that had to be Tommy himself. Buck wanted to bottle it up and keep it nestled deep inside his chest forever. 

After a short while he tugged on Tommys tank that was tucked into his dance pants he was still wearing. Slowly he pulled it up, allowing his fingers to caress Tommys skin as he moved. He threw it somewhere and put his arms around Tommys shoulders, feeling his muscles shift under the skin as the man continued running his hands across Bucks back. 

Buck had had the occasional thought over the years about what it would be like to be with a man. It didn’t necessarily have something to with his sexuality—at least he’d hadn’t thought so at the time—and it was more from a curiosity standpoint. Much like how you might try a new food that looks appetizing. Sometimes it’s not as good as you thought it would be and you decide it’s not for you, but other times? Other times the moment the flavour hits your tastebuds you suddenly can’t remember ever not eating it and you can’t imagine ever not. He’d been curious about men, but exploring that curiosity physically wasn’t particularly a priority. He’d figured one day maybe he’d see what the fuss was about but if he never did that was fine. 

But from the second he set his eyes upon Tommy 10 days ago, something shifted in him. Right down to the atoms he was comprised of. He was drawn to him like a magnet; wanted to peel his layers back and study him from the inside out. And the more time he spent with him the more his chest expanded and bloomed. Tommy would call him Evan, which his hated coming from anybody else’s mouth (“Evan” was the disappointment to his parents; the kid who couldn’t do right no matter what he did) He spoke his name like poetry. It flowed smoothly from his mouth and settled inside Buck’s rib cage with a weighted comfort that settled a part of his self that had always felt loose and without a home. A part that he had spent his whole life chasing trying to name but could never get close enough to figure out. 

They continued to move, faces comfortably nestled in the crook of each others necks, and Buck sliding his hands around to Tommys chest. The feeling of chest hair under his fingertips was new but exhilarating. It was so overtly masculine and something he’d never considered a turn on, yet the heat pooling in his belly bubbled away at the touch. 

He kept his hands on Tommys chest and peppered his shoulder with more delicate kisses, feeling more satisfaction when Tommy breathed heavily in response. Still swaying, Tommy did the same and let his lips delicately trace light kisses along Bucks shoulders then back along. He pressed more into the crook of Bucks neck and he tipped his head up to give more access. 

Then he trailed them upwards. First up Buck’s neck; his jugular vein to be exact and for a moment Buck understood what the women in those weird-ass vampire movies felt—part of him wanted to shove Tommy harder into his neck, breaking the skin with his teeth and drinking his life force. There was a level of vulnerability in the thought of an act like that and though a part of him was scared by the vulnerability, he still knew—believed—Tommy wouldn’t take a risk with him; that he’d be safe, and it made him want to do all of the things that scared him.

The kisses moved along his jaw and across the hinge, up his cheek to his temple and across his forehead. All the while they still swayed and Bucks hands were palmed flat against Tommys chest. He moved down the other side of Bucks face—his temple, cheek then jaw. Buck felt almost hypnotised; swimming in a warm fog that he’d stay in forever if he could. 

He opened his eyes when Tommy pulled his face away a few inches to see Tommy’s eyes looking down at his lips. They immediately parted in anticipation and he couldn’t help glancing down at Tommy’s. He swallowed when he saw the tip of Tommys tongue swipe across his own bottom lip. And then his face was slowly moving closer. Buck couldn’t have stopped himself from reciprocating if he tried. Closer and closer at an agonisingly slow pace before eventually, finally, mercifully, their lips met. 

Something burst inside of Buck’s chest. An explosion of something wonderful and new, yet somehow unsurprising. Tommy lips were perfect and pressed into his with a gentleness he hadn’t expected. Buck pushed into it, desperate for more and Tommy tilted his head more and opened his mouth, delicately swiping his tongue across Buck’s bottom lip. The next swipe met his tongue and this time he couldn’t stop the quiet whimper from escaping. Tommys hands came up to hold his face and Bucks fingers gripped Tommy’s back tightly, trying to pull him even closer, despite them already being chest to chest. 

He slid a hand to the back of Bucks neck to hold him in place and the other held him by his lower back. Buck pushed into the kiss even more, deepening it and the heat coiling in his belly shot out around his body and to the outside surface of his skin when he heard the pleasant hum come from Tommy’s throat. 

Buck’s head was fuzzy and empty at the same time. Tommys mouth moved with precision; his tongue warm and deft as it explored Bucks mouth like it had done so before. His breathing was as heavy as Buck’s. Tommy kissed confidently and syrupy slow and it was like nothing Buck had ever experienced before. When he sucked in Bucks bottom lip and gently bit down Buck felt it all the way down to his groin. Without even thinking he pushed his hips forward and they both sucked in a breath, feeling each other’s arousal. 

Tommy kept a firm hold of Buck as he stepped backwards leading him to his bed. He turned them around and, keeping their lips connected, lowered Buck down onto the mattress before positioning himself on top of him. Buck had never felt the heft of someone the size of Tommy on top of him and immediately it became something that he couldn’t get enough off. He felt safe under the weight of him; nothing could hurt him if he stayed underneath this beautiful man. He took Tommy’s face in his hands to kiss him deeper and Tommy pushed his pelvis down and into Buck’s, and they both let out a moan in response. 

Tommy’s tongue was perfect. Warm and firm and tasting vaguely of the beer he’d been drinking when he’s answered the door. Buck couldn’t get enough of it. Or his lips. They were unbelievably soft and contrasted the slight scratch of Tommys stubble. It burned subtly against Bucks jaw and though he’d never been one for pain, there was something about the sting of it that turned up the heat pooling higher and higher in his belly. 

Tommy abruptly sat up, straddling Bucks knees. He slid the edges of his fingers into Bucks waistband and looked up at him. Buck nodded and Tommy pulled his sweatpants down, moving to the side as Buck lifted his hips to allow Tommy to pull them all the way off. 

It was obvious to both of them how turned they were, but now that Tommy could see the large solid bulge pressing against the inside of Buck’s boxer briefs, he suddenly felt a wave of self consciousness. Despite the fact that Buck was clearly well endowed, he still worried about whether Tommy would like what he saw. Once again Tommy seemed to sense what Buck wanted and slowly slid his hands up Bucks legs from his knees to his hips, before replacing his hands with his lips. He kissed gently across Bucks lower stomach while his hands brushed his waist. The tip of Bucks cock tapped the underside of Tommy’s jaw and he swallowed a moan. 

Tommy moved his kisses slowly up the centre of bucks torso and then his chest, paying attention to each of his nipples with his tongue. Bucks hands tangled in Tommys hair and his head pushed back into the pillow when Tommys tongue flicked gently over nipples. Eventually, finally, he came up to Bucks neck but he couldn’t wait any longer to kiss him. He pulled Tommy up by the neck as he tipped his head down to capture the man’s lips hard. He held his neck with both hands and Tommy groaned into his mouth sending Buck’s hips up to meet Tommys. And with one less layer of clothing on Buck he could finally feel Tommy against him and oh god he must be as big as Buck! 

That just made Buck’s blood pump hotter in his veins. He pushed Tommy by the shoulder, guiding him to lie back. Buck ran a hand down his torso to the waistband of his pants and he stilled his hand at the button, looking at Tommy to gain permission. He nodded and Buck leaned down to kiss him once more. Despite his hand shaking slightly, he still managed to undo the button with one hand and pull down the zipper. He sat up and Tommy lifted his hips allowing Buck to pull off his pants. He audibly gasped when he noticed that Tommy was not wearing underwear and Buck was immediately confronted with Tommy’s large dick. 

Buck had seen a fair few penises in his time. Between the locker room showers at school, his short stint at community college and of course pornography—which, despite them often being front and centre, he wasn’t particularly intrigued by them as much as the women they were having sex with—but here, now, looking down at Tommy’s—flushed pink, swollen and leaking—his own cock throbbed hotly, drawing its energy from the tightly coiled heat burning in his lower stomach. 

He wanted to feel it. In his hand, in his mouth, against his own.. He leaned back down onto the mattress and quickly pulled off his own underwear, too impatient to wait for Tommy to do it for him. Tommy surprised him by sitting up and ushering him back down onto his back and he once again moved to lie on top of him. 

The first part of his body to connect with Buck was his lips. Buck wanted to touch and taste every inch of Tommy, but kissing him was beyond anything he could imagine. It felt like they’d kissed for hours yet he couldn’t get enough. Every so often he’d suck Buck’s bottom lip into his mouth, catching it in between his teeth. The sting made him hiss but it was immediately soothed by Tommy’s tongue. God, he wanted that tongue everywhere! 

Buck bent his knees, pressing his feet into the bed trying to gain leverage to push up into Tommy’s hips but he was a fraction too far above. He didn’t know if Tommy was deliberately teasing him, and he tried to be patient and let Tommy take him in whatever way he wanted to, but it was driving him to the edge of desperation. When he couldn’t wait any longer he slid his hands down his beautifully muscular back and dug his fingers into the meat of Tommy’s ass, pulling him down and finally getting to feel the friction he’d been craving. He didn’t need to grab to hard because Tommy came down willingly and immediately pushed up with his hips, dragging his cock along Bucks, and..

Oh.

“Shit.” He moaned. The first words spoken between either of them for the last hour. Tommy smiled with a little satisfaction before kissing Buck deeper than he had before. Buck felt his eyes roll back into his skull, and his breathing staggered. Between the hot, wet drag of Tommy’s cock against his and his tongue exploring his mouth, Buck was gone. No thoughts or feelings other than those about the man on top of him, groaning into his mouth with each roll of his hips. 

Buck never knew sex with someone could feel like this. He’d had some amazing experiences; done some crazy shit, experimented a lot, but this? This was new. This was hitting him deeper in his psyche than he thought possible. Deeper into his chest than he thought intimacy could ever penetrate. Something had unlocked inside of him. A hidden box, made from him; part of him, but in a location he couldn’t fine and locked with a combination he didn’t know. But Tommy had somehow reached into his body and not only found the box and unlocked it, but set the final piece of Evan Buckley free. 

He felt it rise up through his body, aiming directly for his eyes and he blinked heavily trying to keep the huge surge of emotion at bay. But he failed. His eyes filled up and Tommy immediately noticed and stopped moving. His eyebrows knit together in worry as he searched Bucks face with the problem. 

“Are you okay?” He whispered; a thumb running over his cheek. 

Buck swallowed and took a breath. “Yeah.” 

“We can stop if-“

“No.” He said quickly, and firmly. “Don’t.. Don’t stop.” He pushed up his hips again. Tommy’s mouth hung open on a silent moan. “Please..” Buck pleaded looking directly into Tommy’s eyes hoping that he could see into Bucks core and somehow consume him through sight. 

Mercifully, Tommy began moving again. Bucks head fell further into his pillow and he quickly began panting audibly as Tommy rocked rhythmically against him. He took one of Bucks hands from his shoulder and tangled their fingers tighter before pressing his hand into the pillow next to Bucks head. 

Their foreheads were pressed together, mouths open swallowing each other’s breaths and moans, dipping in for another kiss every few seconds but having to pull back to breathe. Bucks hand in Tommy’s gripped tighter, as did his other hand that was on Tommy’s neck. He was careering towards the edge. They both were. They began to lose rhythm, each of their movements becoming staggered and lacking the sync they had built up to. They each frantically moved against the other chasing the ecstasy they knew was waiting for them. 

Buck pulled his hand out from Tommys to wrap his arms tightly around his neck while kissing him filthily. Tommy moaned loudly into it and pushed Buck closer to the edge of the cliff.

“Tommy..” he drawled, barely audible, his throat struggling to get his name out. 

“I’m.. I’m here..” Tommy hoarsely whispered back, holding the side of Bucks face with his large hand and kissing into the crook of his neck. 

“God, I.. ca- I can’t..” The deep, coiling heat from Bucks belly that was bubbling and boiling high and higher was on the verge of erupting. His skin began to feel tight on his bones, sweat beaded on the surface of it and his lungs were in danger of giving out. He began to shake—they both did; a mixture of their muscles pushed to the brink and the sheer amount of adrenaline coursing through them.

“Oh, Evan..” Tommy groaned low and raw into his ear and that was it. The orgasm hit Buck like a freight train. It erupted hard, shooting electric through every vein in his body. Every hair stood on end and every ounce of his blood boiled over as his body spasmed hard; crying Tommy’s name as hot strings of come shot across his chest, load after load. He was still coming as Tommy fell off the cliff edge and his own come joined Bucks over his skin, accompanied by loud cries of “Evan.”

Buck shook and shook and shook, and for a fleeting moment he worried that this was not a normal feeling—he’d never experienced a hard or longer orgasm before. They continued to rut together as they both rode the continuous waves of pleasure they elicited in each other. Still panting as their movements gradually slowed. Eventually they did still, but both continued to shake involuntary which caused Buck to hiss from the over stimulation. But the alternative was for Tommy to not be on top of him, holding him tightly and safely and peppering his neck with kisses. And that definitely would not do. 

Chapter Text

“Come in!” Lucy voice called out and Buck opened the door. She was sat up in bed leaning against a large pile of pillows, reading. 

“You look much better.” He smiled, relieved. He’d never seen someone in so much pain before and at one point had wondered if she was going to die from the infection she’d gotten. 

Lucy smiled. “I definitely feel it.” She said. “You just missed your dad.” 

“My dad was here?” He questioned. This was the last place he thought his father would have been.

“Yeah, he came to check up on me. He’s such a wonderful man.” Was she actually talking about Philip Buckley?

“I’m sorry about what happened to you.” He replied before he said something about his father. The door opened and Tommy walked in. Buck’s heart hammered in his chest and his stomach exploded with butterflies a the sight of him. and the memory of last night.

“Tommy.” Lucy smiled, happy to see him. He briefly looked at Buck, his expression unreadable, before turning his attention 

“How you feeling?”

“I’m good. Bucks dad said I’m gonna be fine.” 

“That’s great.” He said. “I’m so glad you’re okay. You had us worried for a hot minute.” 

“I was worried, too.” She said. “But enough about me—how’d the show go last night?” She looked at them both. 

“Uh, fine.” Buck replied. “I-I didn’t do the lift, but it was good.” 

An awkward silence hung over room after that and Buck suddenly uncomfortable. Like he was intruding. Tommy wasn’t looking at him at all and it felt like he didn’t want Buck there. He walked back towards the door. “I-I guess I should go. I’m glad you’re doing better.” He told Lucy before walking out. 

He sat on the steps for a moment, not really knowing where else to go. He’d snuck in his family’s cabin the night before after his parents had gone to bed, and snuck out again before they woke up. 

Tommys demeanour was gnawing at him. Look, Buck wasn’t a stranger to one-night stands—ask the eligible women of Pennsylvania and they’ll tell you some stories. He’d experienced the awkwardness of a morning after (and sober) interaction. But last night didn’t feel at all like a one night stand. 

The way Tommy had looked at him. The way he touched and caressed him, the way he kissed him.. he had worshipped Bucks body, every inch of it. There wasn’t a part of him that Tommy hadn’t touched or kissed during their night together. He’d whispered his name in his ear like a prayer and dragged the most holy of sounds out of Buck. Tommy, too—his response to Buck exploring his body for the first time, kissing and tasting every part of him he could and he responded with a symphony of pleasured sounds of his own. Even when Buck left him in the early hours, he’d spent an inordinate amount of time kissing Buck on his doorstep as though he were going away to war. The contrast from that to THIS in a matter of hours was dizzying. And mildly nauseating.

“Shut it down, Tommy.” Lucy’s voice carried out of the open window above Bucks head. “How many times have you told me not to get involved with guests?”

“I know what I’m doing, Lucy.” He argued back. Suddenly the door opened and Buck jumped to his feet, turning to see Tommys surprised face at him still being there. 

“H-hey.” 

“I, uh.. I have to go. I have a lesson with the Kramers in a few minutes and there’ll be hell to pay if I’m late.” 

“R-right. If you have to work, you have to work.” Buck tied to hide the disappointment on his face but knew he wasn’t doing a great job. Tommy gave a smile that didn’t reach his eyes and stepped down from the porch. But he turned back around after a few steps. 

“Evan?” Buck looked up at him, hopeful. “Come by my cabin later?”

Buck didn’t even tried to hide the grin. 

***

The rain was hammering down on the room of Tommy’s cabin. It amused Buck to think that the universe did it on purpose to make the afternoon even more romantic as he lay naked on top of Tommy’s chest. He pushed himself up to press a few chaste kisses to Tommy’s lips. He shifted onto his side leaning onto his elbow to rest his head on his palm and threw a leg over one of Tommy’s 

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.” Tommy ran his hand along Bucks arm that was across his chest. 

“Have you slept with a lot of men?” 

“What?” He responded, surprised at the question. 

“I-I mean, here.. doing what you do and looking like you do. I imagine a lot guys are interested.”

Truth be told Buck had no idea why he was asking the question. He’d never care to ask any of his female love interests about their sex life prior to him and genuinely never cared. So long as they were being safe and were clear of STD’s who was he to judge? And yet with Tommy he felt a ball of possessive jealousy in his stomach and though logically it didn’t matter that Tommy had slept with others before him, somewhere in his stupid kind it bothered him. He was self aware to know that he was being ridiculous at best and hypocritical at worst given his own sexual past. But he lacked the self control to not ask the question that would undoubtedly hurt his feelings. Clearly there was a  masochistic side to him hidden deep down. 

Tommy slid out from the bed and stood up, picking up and putting on his underwear. Of course Buck would say something stupid and push him away. It had happened with almost every one in his life he’d cared about—why would Tommy be any different? He mentally chastised himself for asking such a stupid question. Tommy stared out of the window for a moment before turning back to face Buck, looking unsure about what to say. 

“You.. you don’t understand what it’s like, Evan. The type of people that come here are mostly middle and upper class conservatives. Men who to the outside world live a traditional life—wife, kids, the whole picket fence, but that’s not what they want. They want-“

“Men.” Buck finished. 

Tommy nodded. “And they see how I am with their wives when I’m teaching them; notice that I’m not flirting with them or trying anything untoward and the next thing you know they’re pulling you aside somewhere quiet; secret. They get got they needed from me and went back to their families. I know it made me a bad person for going along with it, but when you grew up like me and having to hide who you really were from everyone, there was actually some kind of comfort in being a secret. It was familiar and predictable. I used to think I was enjoying it and thinking that maybe this one actually cares about me. They wouldn’t be doing it if they didn’t care about me, right?” 

Buck couldn’t judge him. He’d slept with a lot of women and while he’d never promised them a future or any kind of relationship, he certainly didn’t dismiss the idea if they brought it up, leading them to get the wrong impression. He’d had to field many a text or call from a woman who wanted more from him that the night of fun he’d only intended on having. 

“No, I-I get it. You were just using them. I’ve been there.” 

Tommys face softened and he came back over and sat on the edge of bed next to Buck. “No, Evan that not.. I wasn’t using them. They were using me.” He reached for one of Bucks hands and connected their fingers. “You’re the first person in a long time who doesn’t make me feel-“

“What?” Buck gently urged. 

He looked up at Buck with sad, almost ashamed look on his face. “Disposable.” 

The word jammed into Bucks chest and carved a crack in his heart. Disposable. How could he think that about himself? How could anybody treat him in a way that made him think that about himself? Buck was half tempted to demand the names of these man and give them a few harsh and colourful words in defence of Tommy’s honour. But Buck was not unaware of the irony—he’d felt the same numerous times in his life; always felt like he was only worth sticking around for if he was giving something another needed. Emotional support, money, a ride.. if he was useful people stayed. If he was useful people cared. 

He felt a wave of emotion rise through him as he looked at Tommy’s face. He suddenly seemed smaller in his insecurity and it pained Buck to the point he felt his eyes beginning to wet. He shoved his body forward closer to Tommy and slid a hand along his neck, rubbing his thumb along the hinge of his jaw, pulling him down to meet his lips. It was slow and unimaginably soft. If Buck were crazy he might be forgiven for thinking that Tommy kissed him as though he had feelings for him. He gently pushed Buck back onto the bed and climbed on top of him once more. 

Tommy was supposed to be giving Buck a professional dance lesson. He’d even booked time in one of the small dance studios on the site. Buck had walked in hoping that he’d be able to keep himself together for the 1-hour session, and not immediately want to strip Tommy’s clothes off then and there. What he wasn’t expecting was Tommy to be the one struggling with keeping things professional. And it so utterly endearing to Buck that he couldn’t help but tease the man for it. 

“These are spaghetti arms.” He pretended to complain as he straightened out Tommys arms. “Would you give me some tension please?” He tried to take his arms again but Tommy kept insisting on stepping closer and sliding his arms around Bucks waist. Buck pushed him away and stepped back with a smirk on his face. He gestured to the space in between them. “This is my dance space, and this, is your dance space.” He said mimicking one of the first things Tommy had said to him. 

Tommy took his arms this time and for a few seconds they moved in the ‘correct’ way, but it didn’t take long for Tommy to give in and mouth at Bucks neck. Buck was powerless at this point and Tommy knew it, the shit. He found Tommy’s hair with his hands and grasped onto it, humming at the feel of the mouth gently nipping and licking his skin. 

Footsteps suddenly echoed from the staircase leading to the studio and the men quickly pulled apart. Buck turned to the mirrored wall, positioning his arms as though he were practicing a routine just as Neil topped the stairs. 

“Evan.” He smiled slickly. “You taking lessons? You know I know a few moves?” He danced a few steps over to him and Buck got the serious ick. Tommy switched off the music that had been playing. 

“Tommy, my grandfather has put me in charge of the final show and I want to talk to you about the last dance.” 

“Okay.” Tommy replied.

“I’m thinking of shaking things up.” Neil said. Buck watched as Tommy’s annoyed face morphed into one of joy.

“Really? I gotta lot of ideas.” He said. “I’ve been working with the other younger dancers on a cross between a Cuban rhythm and a soul dance.” He demonstrated what he meant by showing Neil a few of the steps. Buck swatted away the image in his head of Tommy repeating those moves naked. 

Neil immediately shut him down waving his arms. “Woah woah! You’re way over your head, here.” He said condescendingly. “I was thinking you always end the show with the Mambo, right? Now, why not dance this years final dance to the pachanga?” 

Buck didn’t need to know what the pachanga was for him to know it was definitely not what Tommy wanted to do. His body was tense, his jaw clenched and it was clear that he was holding back what he really thought of Neil’s idea. 

“Right.” Was all he could say. 

“Well.. you’re free to do the same old tired number as last year, if you want. But, uh, next year we’ll find another dance person who’ll be only too happy to-“

“Sure, Neil.” Tommy acquiesced. “No problem. We’ll end the season with the pachanga.” 

Neil smiled happily. He was so up his own ass he couldn’t even tell that Tommy was being sarcastic. He walked towards the stairs but stepped over to Buck first. 

“He’s quite difficult to talk to but the Ladies seem to like him.” He said. “See he gives you the full hour you’re paying him for, kid.” He shot Buck a finger gun and a wink before descending the stairs. 

Tommy slammed down the lid to the record player he was standing in front of and it made Buck jump. 

***

“He’s such a wimp.” Tommy said as they left the studio. “Son of a butch wouldn’t know a new idea if it hit him in the pachanga. If he wanted some new ideas I could have told him some new ideas.”

“Why do you let him talk to you that way?” Buck asked.

“And fight the boss?” He argued. 

“Yes.” Buck said. “Tell him your ideas. He’s a person like everybody else.”

“Look, I know these people, Evan—they’re rich and they’re mean. They won’t listen to me.” 

“Then-then why not fight harder?” Buck suggested. “Make them listen.”

“Because I need this job lined up for next summer, Evan.” He let out a cold laugh. “You know my dad called me today? I haven’t spoken to the bastard in almost 5 years and he says “Great need Thomas! Uncle Paul can get you a job.” 

“What job?” 

“Firefighter. Station 118 in L.A” He shook his head. “Sure it pays way better, and there’s benefits but I’ve lived enough of my life according to what my father wanted and I refuse to live that way again.” 

As they continued walking they noticed Doug leaving one of the cabins a few yards away down the grass verge they were walking along. He was rummaging inside a light pink purse. 

“What is he doing?” Buck asked. 

“I tend to not think much about what that asshole does.” Tommy replied before they carried on walking.

“It’s good to see you back to yourself.” Buck told her. 

“Thanks, Buck.” Lucy replied handing him and Tommy a beer on her porch. 

“And there’s no, uh.. permanent damage?” He asked. 

“No, thank god. I had a check up this morning with my OBGYN and she said I can still have kids. When I want to.” She added at the end. 

“That’s really good to hear, Lucy.”

“And thank you again. For helping.” She said.

“You don’t need thank me. Especially after what happened.” 

“That was not your fault. You couldn’t have known. Hell, I didn’t even know that doctor would do what he did. He’d helped a couple do people I know who needed medical care off the books and they all said he was great.” 

He heard Lucy’s words and logically he knew she was right but it didn’t fully ease the guilt he was feeling at being a part of what happened to her. 

“Are you sure you and Maddie are related?” Doug said walking around from the side of Lucy’s cabin. “I didn’t think your family were type to go slumming.” He looked at Tommy as he said it. Buck opened his mouth to tell Tommy to ignore him but Tommy moved too quickly. 

He leaped over the porch frame and made a beeline for Doug. Quickly he had him by the scruff of his shirt and landed a punch across the man’s jaw. Buck couldn’t move fast enough to get to him before he landed another punch. Doug was flailing trying to hit Tommy back but missed every time. Eddie appeared and got to Tommy just as Buck did and they tried to pull him off Doug who was now on the floor. Tommy gripped Doug’s jaw tightly. 

“You’re not worth it.” He spat through gritted teeth. He pulled himself out from Eddie and Bucks grasp and walked a few steps away panting. When he turned to look at Buck and saw the worried look on Bucks face his own face softened. He walked back to him and lifted his arms, wrapping them around Bucks shoulders. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Buck mumbled into Tommys shoulder. 

Buck was not happy. It was their last few days at Kellermans resort and Buck would have preferred to spend the time with Tommy. Preferably naked. Instead, he was sat on the stage in the dance hall of the main house painting set pieces for the final show thanks to his mother volunteering him. 

Tommy was around, however, liaising with other dancers and musicians for his, and the other dancers, part in the show. Buck was trying really hard not to stare at him but Tommy was making it exceedingly difficult with his shirt half unbuttoned showcasing the beads of sweat collecting in the centre of his clavicle thanks to the hot late summer sun. 

“Nice palm tree.” He said looking at the wooden structure Buck was painting. 

“Thanks. I’m known for my set design back home.” He joked. 

“Oh, I’m sure.” Tommy teased and Buck chuckled dipping his head. Even when he was mildly flirting with Buck it made him blush.

“Tommy!” A man’s voice interrupted.

“Micheal.” Tommy responded with surprise as the man approached. He was tall, lean and wore a very expensive looking navy suit. Something Buck thought ridiculous given the heat and the fact that this was a vacation resort. “I didn’t know you were back this summer.” 

“Well, when my wife suggested it for our anniversary I couldn’t resist the opportunity to for some more, uh-“ he looked around before leaning into whisper. “Dance lessons.” He didn’t realise Buck, sat on the stage a few feet away could over hear him. Before Tommy could respond, Micheal slipped some cash into breast pocket of Tommys shirt, patted him on the shoulder and began to walk away. And it was obvious by his tone that he wasn’t talking about actual dance lessons. A little ball of green-eyed jealousy let itself be known in Bucks stomach. This must be one of the men Tommy was telling him about a week ago—one of the men who came to a place like this for some non-hetero fun behind their spouses back. 

Tommy caught Bucks eyes and Buck immediately looked away to the section of tree he was painting. He didn’t want Tommy to see how jealous he was. He had no right to feel this way. It’s not like he and Tommy were exclusive—he could do whatever he wanted. Even if it did make Buck feel like he was dying on the inside. 

Tommy took the money from his pocket and looked at it for a second before walking into direction Micheal was. 

“Micheal, I’m, uh, I’m sorry but I’m booked solidly for the rest of the week because of the show so I won’t have any time for lessons.” He spoke loud enough that Buck could hear and he couldn’t help but smile to himself as his chest filled with relief. Tommy might not be his, but at least he’s won’t be anybody else’s.

**********

It was the last morning at Kellermans and his parents had insisted they have breakfast together in the restaurant. He didn’t want to be with anybody but Tommy. There was a sadness that had been building inside his chest over the last few days at the prospect of going home. He’d been meaning to bring up the subject of his leaving with Tommy for a while but didn’t know what to say. Part of him wanted to stay, another wanted Tommy to leave with him. And did Tommy want either of those? He didn’t know how to talk about it or what to do. All he did know was the thought of being separated from him was devastating. 

He could have tolerated breakfast with his parents had it not been for them inviting Max and Neil to join them. 

“You know what it’s like being a doctor.” Max began. “You have a patient and you think he’s alright and then you look at the X-rays and he’s nothing like you thought.” 

“Did something happen?” Philip asked him. 

“It’s exactly what it’s like when you find out one of your staff is a thief.” 

“One of our guests wallet was stolen when he was playing poker last night.” Neil added “It was in his jacket, hanging on the back of his chair. He had it at 1:30am and when he checked at 3:45 it was missing.” 

“Micheal, one of our VIP guests, thinks he saw one of our dancers, Tommy walking by.” That got Bucks attention. “So we ask him: do you have an alibi for last night?” Yes he was with me, Buck thinks. “And he says he was alone in is room reading.” 

Neil laughed. “There are no books in Tommy’s cabin.” 

“I’m sure there’s been a mistake.” Buck turns to Neil. “I know Tommy wouldn’t do it.” 

“There’s been some thefts at other places where the dancers work. Including him. Lots of wallets have gone missing.” Neil informed her. 

“But I know he didn’t do it.” Buck tried to argue. 

“Stay out of this, Evan.” Philip demanded. 

“Just goes to show that you can never really trust these people.” Max went on to say.

“These people?” Philip questioned.

“You know..” Max lowered his voice. “Friends of Dorothy.” 

“Oh God.” Margaret reacted. “Didn’t you have a lesson with him last week Evan? I hope he didn’t take advantage of you.” 

“Jesus Christ, mom, no!” Buck didn’t even attempt to keep his voice down. He was just so unbelievably mad to hear them all talk about Tommy, or anybody, really in the disgusting way that they were. Buck was aware that his parents weren’t exactly what you’d call progressive, but he’d never hear his mother speak about a queer person like that before. 

“I know Tommy didn’t steal those wallets.” He protested. 

“How do you know, Evan?” His dad asked skeptically. 

“I.. I just do.” He answered. “Just, please trust me.” 

“Trust you? After you-“ Philip stopped himself. 

“After he what?” Margaret asked. 

Philip gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s nothing, Honey.” 

“Max, anybody could have taken that man’s wallet. Actually, I saw that waiter, Doug, a few days ago with a ladies purse, rifling through it. Maybe it was him.” Doug certainly had reason to want revenge of Tommy for beating the crap out of him. 

“Doug is a fine young man.” Margaret argued. 

“Evan, you don’t go around accusing innocent people.” His dad chastised. 

“But-but I saw him!”

“I have an eye witness and he has no alibi.” Max told Buck. “Come on, Neil” He stood up. “you’re going to learn what it’s like to fire someone.”

“Wait, just-just wait.” Buck pleaded. Max looked down at him impatiently waiting for him to continue. Buck looked at him then to his parents and Maddie. He knew what he needed to do; knew it was the only thing that would prove Tommy’s innocence. 

“I.. I know for a fact Tommy didn’t do it. He was in his cabin all night just as he said.” 

“Really? And how do you know this?” Max replied with a hint of sarcasm to his tone. 

“I know because..” he looked at his parents again before going back to Max. His heart was damn near beating out of his ribcage. He needed to do this to help Tommy but it didn’t stop him being terrified of the inevitable shitstorm it was going to cause with his parents. 

“Because I was with him.” He admitted. “All night.”