talentedscavenger | Closed to toomanyevans

[ The coffee shop is close enough to Buck's condo - only about a ten minute drive - so he manages to be on time. He parks the jeep and takes a breath, just centering himself and making sure that he's in the right headspace to meet someone new. They've met virtually, of course, but it's very different to meet in person.

That, and he still doesn't know all that much about Rey. Buck is looking forward to learning more, though.

He checks himself over one last time, nice jeans, tshirt that shows off his muscles, hair styled loosely. He looks good, perfect for a date, so he locks up the jeep and heads in.

They'd seen each others' photos on the app, so Buck waves when he spots Rey and heads over to the table. ]

Hey, good to meet you. I'm Buck.

[Our of the corner of her eye, Rey could see someone was coming towards her. She looked up from her cup of coffee to see him. He certainly was handsome, and matched his profile pic. Hell, he probably was on one of those charity calendars for the LA area. Probably posed with kittens or puppies.

No, no, she had to focus and pretend she wasn’t unsure of what she was doing. Why did I let Finn talk me into Tinder? ]

Hey, I’m Rey. It’s nice to meet you too. [ A flash of a smile, warm and nervous, but still there. And, well, there was that English accent of hers. She didn’t disclose she was from overseas. The young woman wasn’t used to talking about herself. ]

Feeling well rested?

[ Nodding, Buck sits in the chair across from her and grabs the coffee. Rey looks great, pretty face, dark hair curling around her shoulders in soft waves. The accent shocks him a bit, but then, they'd never spoken about where they're from, or how they got to LA. ]

Yeah, I think I slept thirteen hours, [ he chuckles. ] So I'm guessing that you're not from LA? [ He's curious, and he wants to know more about Rey. Hopefully they hit it off just vas well in person as they did texting. ]

[Did Buck pick out a shirt that shows off his body just right? Or was that just a natural consequence of being a firefighter that everything looked good on him? And he had tattoos too, which just added to the overall mystery of him. There was also an air of confidence too. Which added to Rey's nerves, but she did her best to not show for it.

She lets out a soft chuckle too. He must've been dead to the world to have slept that long. Long nights were never fun, and the crash always took a toll on the body.]

Don't blame you for that. I think the longest I stayed up for was...maybe 34 hours? Not by choice.

[Two projects that were due, plus two part time jobs that needed her attention. Her uni days were pretty rough.

Rey nodded her head.]

Yeah, from the UK. Went to Uni in the states and got a job in LA about...two, maybe three years ago? [Wow, saying that out loud was weird. Still felt like she just started her current job just yesterday.] Time flies if you're not paying attention.

What about you? Have you lived in LA all your life? [Rey asked and then took a small sip of her coffee.]

Edited 2025-03-01 10:52 (UTC)

[ Sorry Rey, that's just what he looks like. He can't help it. If she looks closely though, she will see some flaws, bags under his eyes despite the long sleep, a scar on his right cheek, slightly crooked teeth. Buck might look good overall, but he's certainly not perfect. No one is.

He sips his coffee like it's a lifeline and nods in agreement. ]

We do a lot of twenty four hour shifts, and most of the time, we can catch a few hours of sleep throughout but it was too busy last night. We'd just settle in and there would be another call to answer.

[ And a few of them had been all hands on deck, so they had to really focus and work with other teams, follow the lead of different captains. Buck's not good with authority, and having to defer to someone that's not Bobby is hard for him. ]

So you got here and just decided to stay. Nice. [ Buck grins.

Then, ] No, I'm actually from PA - Pennsylvania. I traveled a lot before ending up here, lots of odd jobs. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted.

Did you know? Like, right away?

[No one is perfect, true, but Buck seems to be pretty close to it. He's tall, handsome, seems nice with a good heart...and probably saved kittens from trees. She can see those dark circles under his eyes, they match her own. Long nights of studying for years on end, and endless hours at the office does a number to one's skin. Sure, there were those beauty masks that she could try, but that was a bit beyond her realm of expertise.

She let out a soft wince of empathy.]

Those moments aren't the best--just as you're falling asleep, you're forced to stay up. [She also knew that pain all too well. At least they had coffee as their own lifelines of sorts.] Sorry that you had a rough night, or a rough end towards your shift. [Was that weird to say? Apologize for something out of her control, but it felt like the right thing to do.]

Well...[Her gaze lowered down to her cup then back up to meet his.] More like, the pay was worth it. Plus, less snow than New York.

[The snow was nice but after a while it really tanked her mood. Plus the cold felt like it seeped into her bones more than anything.

She nodded her head a little, intrigued by the fact that he's not from LA. Her brain tried to come up with things connected to Pennsylvania, but it was coming up short. Thankfully, the question allowed her to switch gears.]

Yes, and no? [And now comes the delicate dance of explaining her past without revealing too much.] I was good at figuring out puzzles, and how pieces fit together. I used to work on cars, and thought maybe I should look into mechanical engineering, but that didn't work out. I sort of...fell into where I am, if that makes sense. Though, to get here I did have a lot of odd jobs to help make ends meet.

[That was an honest(ish) version of her background. He didn't need to know the minor details--that would only earn her sympatric looks and kill the mood completely. She reached for her coffee again to take another sip.]

Did you enjoy traveling around?

I do love my job, but sometimes it's just so exhausting. One time, we drove like, eighteen hours to go help out with some wildfires in Texas. That was a wild ride. [ As much as this past shift was absolutely terrible, Buck would never ever give it up. He loves helping people, loves rescuing them, loves saving lives. It's who he is and he doesn't think he could love any other profession as much. ]

Less snow is nice, [ Buck agrees with a chuckle. ] The weather here is great. And so is having a good pay.

[ He listens to her intently as she explains how she ended up doing what she does. He's always been interested about how people land where they land. He's curious about some of the stuff Rey is leaving out but they can dig deeper in the future, if they decide to keep seeing each other. ]

Yeah, it was really cool for a while, but I'm glad I settled here. My sister is here too now, and it just feels good to have so many people have my back.

[Rey blinked a few times, trying to recall just how big of a state Texas was. It took hours to drive up and down California alone, but Texas? That was a different beast all together.]

I can only imagine. The drive alone sounds exhausting.

[It's clear he loves his job by how he talks about it. Upbeat, positive, and not in a show-off kind of way. He likes helping people whereas Rey...she liked a challenge and having a damn good paycheck certainly helped.

She raised her cup of coffee in agreement.] The weather is much better. I do miss seeing the seasons change--the colors of leaves on the trees, or seeing some snow but not a full blizzard. I do not recommend trudging through snow, it's not pleasant.

[There's a slight tilt of her head, and she leans in ever so slightly. Rey's curiosity was peaked, and she was really enjoying the conversation they were having. Hopefully, it wasn't one-sided.]

That's nice--to have family nearby. People you can lean on and be yourself around. I have a few close friends, but that's about it.

I- [ He pauses, looking a little bashful for a moment, ] I slept mot of the way there. Like when I wasn't driving the rig.

[ Which ended up being a good thing, since he had been able to help TK and the 126 stage a search and rescue for his dad and Hen. He's glad, otherwise they could have been toast. ]

I'm not sure I really miss the snow. We got some in PA but after I left, I tended to travel toward the warmer places. Haven't really seen a winter in years now. [ The weather in LA definitely doesn't fit the definition of winter in his mind, though technically they do have all four seasons. ]

I-I mean, family is who you choose, right? I'm glad Maddie's here, but the 118 became my family long before she showed up.

[The bashful look on Buck's face is endearing and sweet. Rey grins at him.]

I don't blame you. I probably would've slept on the way too. Car rides, I can fall asleep, but not on airplanes.

[A small shrug. She didn't know if that made her weird or not. On a plane though, she could read for pleasure and not have to worry about motion sickness. So small wins there.

Rey lets out a thoughtful hum, bringing up her coffee cup to take another sip.] The UK is cold and gloomy, and I left that for a life of...cold and snow, but yeah it's much better here. Where else have you traveled?

[The warmth and sunshine of LA does not compete with anything else that Rey has experienced. But, she did miss those quiet winter days where the snow was falling, she had her blankets and a comfy bed to sleep in.

Rey nods her head and gives Buck an understanding smile. Might as well rip off that band aid.]

Yeah, I'm really glad I have my friends now. I didn't grow up in the best of circumstances, but turned out okay for the most part--I think. [A nervous chuckle. Hopefully, she wasn't messing this up because he seemed really nice and she was greatly out of her comfort zone.]

But, uh, did you want something like food from here? Their bakery section is pretty good, but there are a few other places around too. Coffee is essential, but so is actual food.

[ Obviously Rey's taken planes, since she's from a wholly different part of the world, but Buck really hasn't. All of his travels had happened in the Jeep Maddie gave him before running off to Boston with Doug. He still has that Jeep, and he'd never considered abandoning it to fly somewhere. ] I haven't even been on a plane. I did get to ride in a helicopter once though, but that was to rescue my captain and his wife from a sinking cruise ship.

[ Sometimes Buck doesn't realise how wild his life is until he says something like this out loud. But it had happened, and Rey already knows that he saves people for a living. ]

I've been almost everywhere in the US. For a while, I was trying to get into the navy but then decided that killing people wasn't something I wanted for myself. [ He's much better at saving them.

Nodding, he smiles. ] I could eat. Let me get it though, since you got the coffee. Any requests?

[Rey has to blink multiple times because the phrase 'sinking ship' is hardly used in the literal sense. ]

Did...the coast guard help at all in that situation? [He'll have to forgive her for thinking him and his squad somehow commandeered a helicopter to go save their captain. But, yeah this all sounds pretty wild. The craziest thing that's happened at her work place was someone losing this shit, throwing paper everywhere and outright quitting.

A brave soul they were--leaving like that.]

Traveling by plane is nice, but getting through security can be a bit bothersome if you're running late.

[Wow, he's really traveled a lot all by car. Not many people can say they've done that.]

Ahh, I had the same thought. Not with the US Navy but with the Royal Airforce. That was more of a last resort. I might've pursued it if I didn't get into Uni.

[Rey was prepared to stand up and order for them, but Buck was willing to cover it.]

Are you sure? I don't mind. I did invite you out here. [Technically, he suggested they meet up so it's 50/50 at this point. But, she eventually relented.]

Alright...I'll take a croissant if they have any left.

The situation was complicated. The Coast Guard was busy with other things because there was a hurricane hitting the area at the time. So we had to make do with a small crew.

[ He nods, standing up. ] Croissant it is.

[ Buck heads toward the counter and gets her croissant, then adds a salad for himself with chicken and cashews. He'd eaten about an hour before arriving, so he just wants something light. When he has both of their food, he goes back to their table. ]

So you live close to here?

[Complicated is the understatement of the moment. More questions arose in her mind than anything else, but all she could do was nod along. She'll have to check to see if there were any news articles on a hurricane and a cruise ship sinking--and come to think of it, hasn't LA had some weird natural disasters lately?]

Ah, thank you again. [She watches him get up from the table to the line. She's trying to keep herself level headed. He was as bit as enthusiastic and nice as he had been online. So far this little date was going well.

Rey probably should've ordered something more filling than a croissant, but nerves got the better of her.]

Mmmhmm. Like about twenty minutes away? It's a loft style of an apartment. Managed to turn the downstairs area into a work station. I really like the amenities, and it's not that far from my work. What about you?

[ Buck sits down and digs into his salad, listening to Rey as she describes her place. It sounds oddly familiar, and the location tracks too. ] Huh. [ Taking another bite, he arches an eyebrow at her. He asks her if she lives at his address, because it really sounds like his building. ]

Yeah, those places are really nice. Expensive, but nice. [ Buck loves his loft. It's the perfect size for him, and the occasional stray he ends up taking in, and he's sure that Rey feels the same. ] The downstairs would be great as a work station. It took me like, a year, to buy my own couch, so there's definitely room for that.

Hm? [There was an inquisitive tone to his voice, and the raised eyebrow kind of solidifies that.] I probably described a lot of similar apartment buildings. [A nervous chuckle.] It's a convenient location at least.

[There's a puzzled expression on Rey's face as she confirms she lives around that area.] ...are you my neighbor?

[She ends up breaking apart her croissant and taking a small piece to eat.]

Yeah, it took me a while to buy furniture too. [She wipes her hands on a napkin.] I was fine with spending money on things like, my monitors, my desk, and a nice bed, but when it came to furniture, I just kind of froze.

[Rey ducked her head a little, taking a sip of her coffee.] I knew it was something I had to do, but it was weird. Like I had a mental block of sorts--but, I do have a couch that doubles as a bed if I can't make it upstairs.

Edited 2025-03-15 02:39 (UTC)

It really does sound like we live in the same building, yeah, [ Buck replies. He lives on one of the upper floors even though he can barely afford it. One of his exes had wanted him to find his own place and well, Buck's not good at saying no when a beautiful woman is trying to convince him to do something. ]

I'm the worst, honestly, the couches I had before belonged to the girlfriends I had at the time. When they moved out, they took their couches with them.

[ It's kind of embarrassing how long it took him to buy his own couch honestly, but he's better at being an adult now. At least, he hopes he is. ]

Huh. [There's a surprised look on Rey's face. Funny, she's lived there for the past few years and had never bumped into him. Then again, she wasn't one to go out of her way to meet people, not unless there was a reason. Such as a mail mix up, or to ask if a package was misdelivered.] Small world, then. I'm on the upper floor, but towards the back of the building.

[There's a soft wince from her.] Depending on how comfy the couch is, I do not blame them. [Her couch is a life saver some days, when she was exhausted and needed a place to crash. Going up a flight of stairs after a long day of coding only added to the exhaustion.]

But, you have a couch now, and that's not going anywhere. Completely yours. [They can both bond over how long it took them to buy a vital piece of furniture for their homes. It's okay.

There was a question lingering in Rey's mind. Buck seemed like a good, genuine guy. So why was he single? Was it too soon to ask that question?]

I can't say I've had to share furniture before. Never moved in with a boyfriend or partner before. Never had a roommate either. [She ducked her head for a moment, feeling a bit embarrassed. Did that paint her in a bad light?] I have had to borrow movies from friends and those I do try to return in a reasonable amount of time.

Completely mine. [ And it's a nice couch too. Maddie helped him pick it out, and she has good taste. Sometimes he's just too tired after a shift to make it up the stairs, so it's a good alternative. ]

I've lived with most of mine, actually. [ He hadn't exactly lived with Ali, but she stayed with him when she was in LA, and Taylor moved in just before they broke up. Tommy broke up with him when he asked him to move in, so maybe that's the common thread there. ] Except Tommy. I asked him, though. He thought I was moving too fast. [ He has a bad habit of doing that. ]

Oh man, I've had so many roommates! I don't think I've really ever lived alone until now, actually.

[Rey let out a soft laugh, hearing the pride Buck had in his voice for owning a couch.

She reached forward for her croissant, tearing off another piece. The bread still felt warm to her fingertips.

It was funny, their lives seemed to be completely opposites of one another. He lived with roommates until recently. He had family nearby (one he was born into and one he found) and she...sort of had family nearby. And lived on her own for the majority of her life--no, no, she shouldn't let her mind go down that path.]

I bet it's a weird feeling? Going from having a space with another person and then its just...you. [Rey popped the piece of bread into her mouth, enjoying the buttery flavor.]

I think I have the opposite problem. I didn't realize I was dating someone until weeks later, and then it was off and on--and in the end, we weren't good for each other.

[ Buck bites his lip and gives a slight nod. He's never done that well on his own but he's also made some pretty bad decisions in his romantic life as well. He's trying to do better, and that's why he's here now. ] Yeah, it's a little weird. I miss like, having someone there when I get home even just to talk about my day. And their day.

[ He cocks his head to the side and a small smile plays on his mouth. ] You didn't know you were dating? How?

[ Buck's been with a lot of people, but he's only dated a few. Those few had definitely known that they were dating him, and the others knew that they were just having fun. He doesn't like leading people on and he doesn't like for there to be questions. ]

[Rey listened, nodding her head at Buck’s words. Her heart ached for him then, having shared in the same feeling more times than she could count. ]

Yeah, I get and it’s something that’s so natural—wanting to share with someone a few moments to connect and talk. Hard to do when you’re by yourself and you don’t want to call friends because you don’t want to bug them…

[Or inconvenience them. That was always something that lingered in the back of Rey’s mind. If she was being a bother to the people she held close to her. Of course, they would tell her that she wasn’t, but that was still a concern.]

Or, at least that’s what I worry about. I didn’t realize how much I’d want something like that until I moved for Uni. Wanting someone to talk to—especially when I was in new country.

[As for how she didn’t know she was someone, Rey had to shyly duck her head. When she looked up, she saw Buck’s smile on his face. An embarrassed smile tugged on the corners of her mouth. ]

I didn’t date in high school or much in Uni. I was so focused on getting my degree and working that I didn’t realize my ex liked me, and that I liked him. There were subtle hints, but they went over my head until we were arguing with each other—both of us were extremely stubborn—and blurted out to each other that we liked one another and had been “dating” without realizing it. Everyone else picked up on it but us.

[ Buck cocks his head to the side, listening to Rey express the loneliness that he shares as well. Buck is over thirty, and he definitely thought he would have found that someone to settle down with, have a life, have kids even. It feels like he might be starting to run out of time.

The conversation is getting deep now, but Buck doesn't mind. At this point in their lives, they need to be having these types of conversations on the first date. ]

It must have been tough, when you first got here. I mean, I'm American and it was still tough to move away from everything I knew back in PA. It's tough, but I think you're brave for staying, even if it was for a job.

[ Buck can't say that he's ever had that kind of laser focus on anything. He has a history of being distracted b y a pretty face and a willing body, but he's gotten better as he gets older. ]

Can't say that's ever happened to me, but it is funny. Don't worry, if we start dating, I'll be very clear about it.

[ He finishes off his salad and then pulls his coffee back toward himself. ] So. I know we've just met, but... what do you see for your future?

It was tough at first, setting up a bank account, and finding a place that fit my budget—and trying to figure out the paper work for any job I had.

[Was it brave to have stayed for this long? Maybe.

There a soft chuckle from Rey, opting to finish the last piece of her pastry. ]

Yeah, one of my other friends said I should make it clear to whoever I date next that they really have to let me know.

[A bit of a quirk, albeit an embarrassing one. But, better to be clear and concise than vague. Rey also failed to realize she could’ve teased or flirted with Buck—asking him how he’d tell her or show her they were dating.

She wasn’t kidding when she said some things (like romance) flew over her head. Her mind was going over the new question he posed. ]

That…is a good question.

[It was probably for the best to be up front about what either of them wanted in a relationship. The hard part was, Rey didn’t know exactly what she wanted—a house, a kid, or both or nothing. She was so used to surviving that the idea of thriving was a foreign concept. ]

I want to do well with my job and grow in my career, and I’m more than likely staying in the States unless I have a compelling reason to head back to the UK. Maybe travel—for fun and not for work.

[Another pause as she tucked her hair behind an ear. ]

I’m 27, technically still in my 20s, and I think I have time to figure out what else I’d want in life. [Beat. ] what about you?

Edited 2025-03-23 18:20 (UTC)

Travelling is good, [ Buck agrees. He likes to travel and experience new things. He hasn't gotten the chance for thew last little while but he loves his job, so that's okay. ]

I think that I'd like to take the Lieutenant test sometime soon. There's not at a spot for Lieutenant at the 118, which is why I haven't yet. But I think I want that.

[ He hadn't really pictured it when he started firefighting but now he's sure that this is the career he wants to excel at. ]

And you know, I've had my fun. I've been looking for something more serious for the past few years, it just hasn't worked out. So yeah, marriage, maybe a dog, maybe kids but I'm not sold on that yet.

It's good to have goals, and realize that over time goals can change. It's not always set in stone.

[If it were, then she would've been stuck in London and barely clinging to her sanity. Thankfully, that was neither here nor there.

The idea of being serious was...a hard thing for her to grasp. It sounded scary, and why did they have to talk about that now? So neither of you are wasting your time. Rey's mind whispered, sending a chill down her spine. The idea of kids though...that made her heart stop and filled her with some anxiety.]

I don't know if I want kids or not. I... [Rey drew in a long breath and slowly released it, trying to calm down her heart.] I never pictured having them, but I also never pictured myself living in the States. Honestly, growing up was more about surviving and getting to a point where I could be on my own.

[Making it to the next day was a victory in itself, at least in her eyes. Plus, there was also the whole thing of being a crappy parent--but now wasn't the time to unload all that baggage, not on a first date.]

I don't know if I'm ready for something serious, but I am willing to see where this goes. Assuming if you want to see where it goes too. [Fuck, was she blowing this?]

Yeah, I was just a kid when I started at the 118. Now things are different, and that's okay.

[ He frowns a little, taking in what Rey is saying. Buck is definitely looking for something serious, and even if it becomes something eventually, he's looking for someone that wants to see if a relationship will work out sooner than 'sometime in the future'. Maybe he and Rey aren't as compatible as he'd originally thought.

He bites his lip and looks at her apologetically. ]

Look, I-I get it, you're still young, and you have time to figure everything out, I just know what I'm looking for. [ He's not sure what else to say about it. ] So if you're not ready, or don't know if you are...

[Seeing the frown on Buck's face, it was clear the answer Rey gave wasn't what he wanted to hear. The apologetic look only solidified that--and she swore she felt her heart twist a little in her chest. Rejection should be something she was used to by now. At least she was honest with her feelings and he was being up front with what he wanted.

Was it wrong that she had hoped things could've gone differently? The young woman bowed her head, biting the inside of her cheek and took a breath. Her walls came rushing back up. She looked back at Buck with an understanding expression.]

Yeah, no. I get it. Thank you for being up front with me. [Rey started to get up from her seat, resisting the urge to say 'bye' and run out of the café. There wasn't a point to sticking around anymore, but she had to polite. This guy was her neighbor now--or had been for a while.] And it was nice meeting you. Maybe we'll run into each other at the complex, but, um...I don't want to waste more of your time.

[God knows it felt like she wasted enough of his time with Tinder and meeting him in person. He'll fine someone better. Someone who wasn't broken.

Rey flashed a small smile, kept her head up and managed to walk out of the café with some of her dignity in tact.

From there, it was a blur. Rey made it to her car and drove back to her apartment, grateful for the small pile of snacks she had. Who needed feelings? Why did she even bother with looking for something when clearly, she wasn't meant for another relationship. God knows what she had with Ben was bad, toxic and not something she wanted to experience again. That didn't stop her from breaking down and calling Finn and regaling him with how bad her date with.

Of course...her best friend had to put her on speaker phone with his boyfriend, Poe. Bless his heart, the man was a hot head at times and wanted to find out where Buck was and have a few words, but that wasn't what she needed (although it was very much appreciated).

"Peanut, did you really leave and not let him explain further?" Finn asked, to which Rey scoffed and wiped her tear stained cheeks.

"Think he made it pretty clear, Peanut. There wasn't a reason for me to stay any longer. And I know, I know it's stupid for me to cry about this. I'm stronger than being some weepy girl, but...I like--liked him."

"Ah, you still like him. Don't do that. Look, you were right in telling him you weren't sure about being serious. From his perspective, I don't blame him. He wasn't asking you to marry him--that would be crazy. But, maybe he was wanting something else? If things do serious between the two of you that you won't run away."

Rey was speechless for a moment, letting Finn's words sink...and embarrassment soon washed over. Rey felt like an idiot. She was prepared to tell her best friend that maybe it was still for the best. He wouldn't let her get away with that excuse. He encouraged her to reach out to Buck when she clamed down to apologize for running out and leaving...and ask for a second date.

The encouragement worked. Rey had prepared to send Buck a text, but couldn't bring herself to do it. Texting all of that felt too impersonal. Maybe she could figure out a way to talk to him in person? Dropping by the fire station was out of the question, that might come off as stalker-ish. Nor was she going to try and figure out his schedule. One day gave way into another, and another until fate decided to intervene by having the mail carrier misdeliver a piece of Buck's mail into her mailbox.

Now, she had his apartment number and a good reason to see him.

Swallowing her nerves, the young woman went up to Bucks door with his mail in hand and knocked. Hopefully he wasn't on shift....and not dead asleep.]

Through the next week or so, Buck has a hard time forgetting about Rey. Up until the end of their date when she revealed that she didn't know how ready she was for something serious, it had been going so well. They were on the same page about everything up to that point, but Buck is tired of waiting. He wants that someone to come home to, wants someone to settle down with and have a life with. He gets that she's younger, and she still has time, but ever since Maddie and Chim got together, since they had Jee, Buck's been feeling like he's running out of time.

Still, it would have been nice to get to know her better.

He's sitting on his couch, flipping through channels when he hears the knock. He's not expecting anyone, but people from the 118 drop by unannounced all the time, so it's not really a surprise. Still, he runs a hand through his hair and gets up to answer. When he sees who is on the other side, he really wishes he'd changed out of his sweats, and put a shirt on. Too late for that now.

"Rey?"

Rey's prayers were answered. Buck was indeed home and--he was not wearing a shirt. That left very little to the imagination, and for a split second she regretted her choice of coming over. Look at him you goofball! She blinked a few times, coming out of her stupor and offered a sheepish smile. He was a guy, a fully grown man and there was nothing to be embarrassed about.

He was relaxing and she looked like she had gotten home from work--a sweater and blouse coupled with dark pants and her hair tied back in a messy bun.

"H-hey," Rey began, thumb moving over the envelope that had Buck's name on it.

"I um, got your mail by mistake and wanted to return it. And well.." She took in a deep breath, once again trying her best to be brave and not chicken out like she did at the cafe.

"I'm sorry for running out the way I did. That was cowardly of me, and you deserved better than that. I, um, was giving it more thought and while I don't know if I want something serious—if this became serious...it wouldn't be a deal breaker." Fuck, was she making any sense right now? If she told him that he would be the exception to her uncertainty would that freak him out?

Maybe it was best if she started to retreat? No, she had to keep going.

"If you want to go out again, it would be my treat. You don't have to answer right now, but the offer stands." She concluded her little speech by handing out the envelope to him, the whole reason why she was out there in the first place.

Edited 2025-04-01 01:03 (UTC)

Buck takes the envelope, wide eyed, as he listens to what Rey is saying. He's still not quite sure he understands though, so instead of letting her turn and leave, he catches her arm. "Wait," he says. "J-just... what?" he asks, trying to understand what she means. "So what you're saying is that you want to try, and you know what I want. And that's okay?"

He just wants to be sure. They'd gotten along very well, and Buck is extremely attracted to Rey, but he needs to make sure that they're both okay if things do get serious. Buck doesn't like getting into things knowing they're going to break up. He hadn't liked it even when he was sleeping his way through LA.

"So, we're going to try, then?"

Rey was prepared to walk or dash away back to her apartment. Her heart was beating so loud that if Buck said anything, she might’ve missed it. Thankfully, he reached out to keep her from leaving. Was that a spark she felt? Or just her imagination running wild since he was shirtless? Hard to tell.

“Y-yeah. Yes.” She nodded her head at him. “I know what you want and I still want to try.”

Rey had to take a chance. She hadn’t been able to get him out of her head and things felt…nice? Good? Wonderful when they were texting and when they met up. Why not try?

“I know I dropped by unexpectedly and you’re relaxing…” clearly, considering he was shirtless.

“And I don’t want to interrupt your day off further.” Awkward. Her awkward side was showing.

"Yeah?" Buck honestly can't believe it. He'd basically given up, figuring that he'd ruined any chances of them actually trying something out when he'd left the cafe that day. Still, Rey is here and wants to try, so Buck isn't going to say no. They had good chemistry, and that's something to pursue.

Before Rey can leave, Buck says, "I was just watching a documentary. Do you want to come in?" It's not a normal second date, but Buck's not exactly a normal guy. He wants something serious, and he doesn't want to waste either of their time. This way, she can get to know who he is on his off time.

"I mean, if you're not busy."

Was Rey busy? From a work perspective, no. She had her assignments done and project work in line. She was going to chip away at small tasks, but it wasn’t anything vital. Small busy work because she could never find a good stopping point for the day, unless it was time for bed.

Was she planning to use some of her free time to calm down from asking Buck out? Yes. Her anxiety was still running high—but he wanted her to come inside!! Isn’t this how all true crime shows start? The thought drifts through her mind for a split second. Buck wasn’t a murder…he didn’t give that vibe.

“Are you sure?” She asks, feeling like she was imposing on his time. But, if he was inviting inside…

“I mean, sure. What kind of documentary are you watching?” She asks as she stepped inside his apartment.

Buck shakes his head. "I'm on a seventy-two right now." He doesn't have any real plans before going back to work in a couple of days. He'd put a pause on dating for now since he hasn't been able to get Rey out of his head. She's here now, though. He moves aside to let her in and then leads her over to his couch.

"I'm watching one about black holes. Did you know that they discovered one that was singing? Space is wild." He doesn't settle down right away, instead he moves toward the kitchen. "Can I get you anything? I have beers, some juice... water?" he offers. He'll wait until she decides before deciding himself.

Rey made sure to take off her shoes at his entrance way, having stepped in mud on her way to work. She didn’t want to track dirt into his clean apartment. The layout was practically the same as hers, but further in the back would’ve been her home office…

And well, a couch that could be converted to a bed.

“Oh that is interesting. I know there are different solar systems aside from our own, thousands of light years away.” She may have to watch the beginning of documentary on her own. It sounded interesting for sure.

“I’m fine for now, thank you. But uhhh…” it was dawning on her that he was shirtless. That she could see how much time and energy he put into his physique.

“Aren’t you cold?” Yes, LA could be hot but—-damn did guys just walk around without a shirt in their own homes? She thought that was something tv shows portrayed for more views.

Then again compared to her with her blouse and sweater, she looked more like the type to get cold easily. Or that the office she came from had freezing AC.

Buck spends most of his time at home without a shirt on, so he hadn't actually noticed that it might make her feel uncomfortable. "I'm uh, I'm not? But I can change," he says, taking a bottle of water from the fridge and setting it on the counter. "Give me a minute, okay?"

He sprints up the stairs to the loft and grabs one of his sleeveless shirts and pulls it on. It really doesn't hide much considering it's still pretty tight, but at least he's covered now. He comes back down, grabs the water and joins Rey on the couch. "Do you want me to restart it?" he asks, cracking open the bottle and drinking deeply.

Rey didn’t mean to make Buck feel self conscious in his own home, but it wasn’t everyday she was in close proximity with someone like him—the temptation was there and she felt a bit guilty for it.

“Take your time!” She called out while sitting in the middle of the couch.

She watched him dash up to grab a shirt that…didn’t help matters. There was nothing with his wardrobe, but damn. Everything he owned seemed to show off his body pretty damn well. Whereas Rey dressed more for comfort and to blend in. A wallflower more than anything.

Rey took the opportunity to untie her hair from its messy bun, giving herself a break from looking professional. This wasn’t work. This was …a second date? Kind of? She didn’t think too much about it.

“If you want? Seems like you were a ways in.” She was there to spend time with him and enjoy a documentary. Or try to enjoy as her brain wouldn’t stay quiet. Her hand reached up to rake through her hair in an effort to calm her mind.

Whatever Buck decided, Rey would go along with it. She wasn’t sitting too close to him, unsure if she should be right next to him or if he wanted more space. She didn’t want to seem too eager or too clingy, but little by little she started to shift closer. Her knee bump against his and her hand settled between their bodies, there for him to touch or hold.

Buck doesn't mind restarting it, especially if it means getting to spend more time with Rey. He sits next to her and chooses the start from beginning option, then settles back in. He feels weird wearing his lounging clothes on what is essentially a second date, but he hadn't expected her. If he had, he would have made them something to eat, and made sure that he had drinks she might want.

"It's cool," Buck says. He stays where he is, trusting Rey to do what she feels comfortable with, and when he feels her thigh press against his hand, he shifts over the few inches between them and slings his arm around her shoulders and pulls her in for a closer cuddle. "This okay?" he asks.

He hopes so. Rey feels so good against him, small and sweet tucked against his side. He really hopes that things work out between them, but then, he's hoped that things work out with everyone he's been interested in, even the girls he was casual with. Buck really just want to be loved.

In the grand scheme of things, this was more of a continuation of their first date…just delayed. If Rey thought her actions would’ve lead her to this spot, she would’ve had a better plan. As it was, she was enjoying the documentary and being by Buck’s side.

She felt his arm come around her shoulders, pulling them closer to cuddle on his couch—and asked if it was okay. That was utterly sweet in her eyes.

“Yeah…” she began to say, a shy smile tugging on her lips. “Yeah, it’s fine.”

Usually she was adverse to being touched by someone she barely knew, but with him…it felt different. It felt like she could lower her walls around him and risk being vulnerable without fear of getting hurt. Something for her to analyze at a later time.

The day was catching up to her, making her eyes feel heavy and body yearning for sleep. While being in her dress pants and blouse weren’t the most comfortable things to wear, Rey couldn’t bring herself to pull away. She wanted to stay where she was and enjoy the time they had together.

Her eyes flickered up to see the side of Buck’s face and found herself asking, “can I hold your hand too?”

Buck looks over at her, nodding, when she asks to hold his hand. It's a bit more difficult in this position but Buck doesn't mind. He just tugs Rey a little closer and threads the fingers of the arm he has around her through hers. It might be a bit intimate for a first or second date, but Buck is kind of an all in sort of guy.

"You sure you're not hungry or thirsty or anything?" The documentary is only an hour, so if she is, they can order something and it will arrive just before it finishes. Or Buck can cook for them. He doesn't mind.

A simple and intimate form of affection. Something that was both small and big at the same time. Warmth washed over Rey feeling her fingers intertwine with Buck’s. He didn’t pull back, opting to cuddle closer, holding her to him as they watched the documentary.

She kind of felt like a cat, curled up against a warm spot, feeling relaxed and safe.

The question gave her pause and she had to think about when was the time she ate something that wasn’t coffee or a pastry. A soft gurgle from her stomach told Rey it had hours. Whoops.

“I should probably eat,” she admitted sheepishly. “I can order food, are you the mood for anything specific?”

Rey would pay for dinner—it was the least she could do.

"I'm not picky," Buck replies. This way, she can get what she wants and he won't worry about requesting something that she might not. It helps that he's not actually picky though. "You should let me cook for you next time."

Since he started working for Bobby, Buck's been learning to cook. He still messes up sometimes but overall he's doing a lot better. He can definitely make something for the two of them. Maybe not lasagna yet though.

"What are you in the mood for?"

“Neither am I.” Which, in theory, should make it easy for Rey to pick something. However…choices were hard. Yes, she had money and could splurge on things, but it was hard to break out of old habits.

She pulled away a little, taking out her phone while staying curled up next to Buck. A few quick taps and she was on door dash, scrolling through options.

“That would be fun—but, I’d like to help, if that’s okay?” If he was cooking then she would need to pitch in. Either with helping to make the meal or with washing dishes.

“If you’re alright with Chinese food, I could order that. Here…” Rey held up her phone for Buck to see what was available to pick from. “Take a look.”

"Do you like to cook too?" Buck asks her. "I've been learning from my Captain. I used to be so bad at it, but now I can pull off a few things." He turns toward her and grins, "I think that would be really fun." He hasn't shared a kitchen with anyone except Bobby so far so making a meal with Rey would be really nice.

Buck looks over the options and nods, "yeah, Chinese is good. Lots of protein and veggies. But I should warn you, I can put a lot of food away." He kind of feels bad, since Rey wants to pay, but he works a very physical job, and that means he needs to constantly replace calories.

“Kind of?” Came Rey’s sheepish reply.

“I find it’s easier for me to meal prep for the week so I’m not wondering what to eat. But trying to figure out what I should make is still challenging. Then finding what I want, I have to follow a recipe or I feel completely lost.” Baking on the other hand came more naturally to her and was more fun. Though one could argue baking and cooking were more or less the same.

“So one pot or one sheet meals have been my go to,” she explained further, hoping he didn’t think she was weird for that. It was a system that worked pretty well for her and helped her save on her grocery bill.

“That’s fine. I don’t mind ordering a lot.” It meant leftovers, if there were any. She started to add some items into her cart, waiting for Buck to indicate what he wanted and then added it to her cart. Whatever the total was, she didn’t bat an eye about it.

“Just need to update the delivery address…” a few more taps and swipes and the order was placed.

“Should be here in about…thirty minutes.” She told him, looking away from her phone then back up at him. As close as she was to him, it dawned on her again just how close they were. Easy enough to lean in closer if either of them wanted.

“Think that should be enough time to finish the documentary?”

"Yeah?" Buck says, listening to Rey talking about her cooking habits. "Those kinds of things make the most sense for the firehouse too. There are so many of us, and most of us are big guys so we eat a lot. I eat a lot." He's not ashamed of it either. He needs to, to keep up his strength and to stay in shape. "I do that for myself too. I'm normally too busy to make a full meal daily."

He looks over her shoulder to give his own opinion on what to order. After the order is put in, they're even closer than they had been before. Buck doesn't mind. He's looking for something serious, but that doesn't mean he's the kind of guy that goes slow, not even at the beginning of a relationship. He'll go at Rey's pace, though. He wouldn't want to make her feel pressured or uncomfortable. He'd been bad with women before, but he'd never been that kind of bad.

"Yeah, that should be the perfect amount of time," Buck replies, voice low. He reaches for the remote and unpauses it, settling back in to watch the rest.

Rey listened and nodded her head a little. It makes sense Buck and the other firefighters would eat a lot. They needed their energy for emergencies and for their health. She wondered if it would be too much to offer to make things for him, but quickly reminded herself she had offered bread and a protein-esque dessert.

“Yeah, those one pot meals help out a lot. Same with those crock pots? You let it cook on a slow heat and hours later, it’s done.” Rey never thought she would be one for kitchen appliances, but if they saved her on time, then they were worth it.

She looked down at her phone, confirming again the order was placed before tucking it into her pocket. Buck’s low voice sent a pleasant shiver down her spine.

Should she lean in further? They were pretty close as is. Was it too bold to try for a kiss? The young woman pushed the thoughts away, opting to cuddle with Buck once more. She was trying to do her best to pay attention to the documentary, but every few minutes her attention turned to the hot guy next to her.

Rey’s brown eyes darted to the side of Buck’s face, trying to be discreet in the hopes he wouldn’t catch her looking at him. One quick look before turning her attention back to the documentary…the cycle repeated itself two more times until she was caught by him.

Rather than pull away or look down, the brunette found herself drawn into him.

Heaven help her, she was going in for a kiss.

It's pretty clear that Rey is no longer paying attention to the documentary. Honestly, neither is Buck. He can feel her tense every time she sneaks a glance at him, and it's really cute. It's clear that they're attracted to each other - it's the reason they'd matched together in the first place - and Buck's never been that patient when it comes to moving things forward. Not even with Tommy, not even when it was all new experiences and experimentation. It had taken him less than an hour to convince Tommy to bed with him after that second date. Buck 1.0 still has remnants inside of him, and this is exactly how it manifests.

Their eyes meet and they're frozen for a moment. Buck half expects Rey to look away again, flushed and embarrassed from being caught staring. But she doesn't. Instead, she leans in closer, and it's only natural for Buck to meet her halfway.

Their lips touch and it's like a spark goes through him. He can't help but make it deeper, sliding his lips against Rey's and then licking into her mouth. She tastes sweet, and Buck can't stop himself from wanting more. Without a second thought, he lifts Rey into his lap and splays his big hands across her back.

Rey hoped she wasn’t about to make an ass of herself by leaning in closer to Buck. If she was misreading the signs, or going too fast. Hell, she didn’t think they would kiss until…maybe a third date? All of this was new and the complete opposite of her last relationship. As scared and nervous as she had been, once her lips met his, the world faded to black.

There was a spark that traveled through her body, and damn if it didn’t feel good. It was warm, welcoming and made her yearn for more. She didn’t realize how touch starved she was until Buck deepened the kiss.

He tasted sweet and salty, like caramel. A taste she wouldn’t soon forget. She let out a soft squeak of surprise as Buck pulled her into his lap. Rey shifted, mindful of her work trousers and how little room they had. She wished she had changed prior to coming to his place. Whatever, she should get new clothes either way.

The young woman shifted, opting to straddle him while maintaining their kiss. Both hands moved over his shoulders, feeling the muscles beneath his shirt. The need for air grew, as did the increase in body temperature. She playfully nipped at his lower lip, pulling back for a brief moment to take off the sweater she had on, revealing the cream blouse she had underneath.

The garment was tossed aside so she could return to exploring Buck’s mouth with her tongue.

Feeling Rey against his body is sending shivers up Buck's spine. It's a little bit reminiscent of Buck 1.0, having her in his lap like this, but also not. He and Rey are dating now, and Buck hasn't ever been slow at taking someone to bed if they were willing. And Rey seems willing so far, but Buck isn't going to push her into anything that she doesn't actually want.

Still, kissing her is great. He keeps his hands on her hips, licks into her mouth, and chases her when she pulls away. But when he sees that she's just taking off her cardigan, he grins as their mouths meet again. Rey's good at kissing, and Buck could stay here doing this all night if that's what she wants.

He's going to let her take the lead with this, but it's hard. He's hard, and he wants so much more than rutting against each other on his couch. God, she's so hot, and her body feels incredible on top of him like this. He wants to see more, wants to taste more, and he drops his lips to her neck just as the buzzer rings.

"Fuck," he complains, "food. I forgot."

Buck may need to tell Rey she’s good at kissing. She had kissed others in the past as part of a drunken night out, or in the heat of the moment while confessing her feelings (thanks Ben), but she was unsure of her abilities. She was going with what felt good, and Buck…he felt amazing. His kisses, his lips, and tongue were sending shivers down her spine.

He seemed just as eager to keep going. Part of her wondered if they were moving too quickly. That same part was quickly shut down as Rey had another taste of him. It was becoming harder and harder to think of anything beyond their current activity. Space be damned, she wanted to explore Buck—

At least until the buzzer goes off, indicating someone was at the door. Rey stiffened, resisting the urge to flee due to embarrassment. She still had her clothes on—but damnit! Poor timing.

“That was fast..” she murmured, trying to catch her breath and realizing how hard he was. Damnit!!

“I’ll get it,” huffing, she pulled herself off of Buck, pushing back some strands of her hair as she went to his door. Her blouse was rumpled but she didn’t care. Opening the door, she greeted the delivery person, said thank you and took the two bags of food. The door was quickly closed behind her.

The scent of Chinese food wafted through the air, and while that would normally entice Rey to actually eat something, there was something else that had her attention. She moved to Buck’s kitchen, placing the bags down on his kitchen island.

“Do you…” she began to ask, turning around to face him, the flush on her face having lightened.

“Do you want to keep going?” Making out? Have sex? All of the above?

Buck is just as disappointed as Rey at the interruption, but he's really trying to hide it. It sucks that they need to stop, but it's for the better, he supposes. They'd probably been moving too fast. That, and the food smells absolutely amazing, so it's a good plan B.

He watches as Rey puts the food in the kitchen and then stands to come help her with it. Her next comment takes him by surprise but he finds himself grinning as he walks up to her. He wraps his arms around her waist and nods, "yeah. I guess we have two options: back to the couch, or upstairs where the condoms are." He almost regrets what he says immediately, but he'd given her a choice. If she doesn't want to, they don't have to go upstairs.

Buck really really wants to though.

Normally, Rey would’ve liked to take things slow, but that kiss and the way Buck felt against her…it was making Rey want more. Later, she might second guess herself and wonder if they moved too quickly, but that was a problem for her future self. Besides, Buck was completely different than Ben. There was no dancing around the subject, and both of them were being clear what they wanted—overall and in that moment.

Rey let out a soft chuckle, bowing her head to chew on her lower lip for a brief moment.

“I’m leaning more towards the latter,” she told him with a shy smile, lifting her head back up to look at Buck. He came prepared at least, though she wished she had come over in something more comfortable—not that it would matter in a few minutes.

Her hands came around him, holding Buck as she stood on her toes to press a kiss to the corner of his lips.

“Lead the way,” she murmured as she pulled back. She didn’t think they’d make it to his room if they started to make out in his kitchen.

Buck lets a little grin cross his face and he nods, "if you're sure." He probably wouldn't have asked if this were a few years ago, but he was a different person then. He leans into the kiss, making it brief but very filthy, then takes Rey's hand to show her the bedroom. She lives in the same building so Buck knows that she recognizes the lay out.

Once they're up the stairs, Buck motions to his king bed and says, "make yourself comfortable."

He's a pretty neat person, so his bed is made and everything is where it belongs. Still, when he strips his shirt off, he drops it to the floor and then goes to his bedside table to get the condoms out. He doesn't like fumbling with them and ruining the moment, so even if Rey changes her mind, he wants one available in case they need it.

"Come here," Buck urges. "You're wearing too much."

Nerves start to creep in as Rey follows Buck up the stairs into his room. There’s still time to back out, for her to change her mind, but if she does she knows she’ll regret it. Were they moving too fast? Possibly? Maybe? She pushes the thoughts out of her head, moving to sit in the edge of his bed to take off her socks.

It was quite the sight to watch him strip off his shirt, seeing him topless again when over an hour ago she made a comment about him getting cold. He has tattoos on his body, ones she’s curious about, if he got them for one reason or another.

“Am I?” She teases, slowly standing up from his bed to bridge the distance between them. Her body was lean and had some muscle to it from running. There were freckles sprinkled over her shoulders and back. A minor distraction from the faint scars on her skin—years of working for her guardian as a condition of her living with them. They were proof that she lived through that horrid situation and came out on the other side.

Her hands go to the hem of her shirt, tugging it up and over her head. The shirt falls to the floor, they’d worry about clean up later.

Rey bridges the gap between them, standing on her toes to reach up to Buck, caressing the side of his face and drawing him into another long kiss. She still has her bra, pants and panties on, but it wouldn’t be long until those came off.

Part of her wanted to rush, but the other part wanted to take their time before leading up to that big moment. She would follow his pace though, as she wanted it to be pleasurable for both of them.

As much as Buck loves sex, and Rey is beautiful with a great body, he will stop at any time. If she rethinks it or decides that she wants to take it slow, Buck won't hold that against her. What matters is that Rey is comfortable, and even though Buck has had a lot of sex with a lot of people, he's never been that guy.

He drops his mouth to hers, kisses her long and deep, letting her get used to the feeling of him against her, and then slowly reaches forward to undo her slacks. If she'll let him, Buck will show Rey exactly what it's like to be with him. He's not being cocky thinking that she's going to really enjoy herself.

Once he pushes her pants down, he goes for the bra, undoing it expertly and then dropping it to the floor. "Do you want to get on the bed?"

Rey’s trousers and bra were on the floor. Her lips were bruised from Buck’s kisses and her mind was in a fog from it all. Was it possible to get drunk from kisses and touches alone? She wasn’t sure, but there was a question and Buck…he was still wearing his clothes.

“Yeah,” she murmurs, biting her lower lip to keep herself from babbling on and asking why his shirt was the only thing on the floor.

The brunette didn’t have to wonder for much longer. Time flew by and stood still several times. Rey had Buck’s bedsheet draped over her breasts with her head on his pillow and felt utterly exhausted. How many times did she cry out his name? Too many to count—but how the fuck was he that good?

Was Buck a god? A sex god? Possibly…she wasn’t about to rule it out.

There was a faint rumble from her stomach, reminding the young woman that she should eat something—preferably the take out they just got. While that was something she would have to do, that also meant getting out of bed. Could she even move?

“You…are too good at that,” she told Buck, her voice a bit raspy. “I don’t think I can go running tomorrow.”

Cause that? That was a cardio workout.

She brushed back her bangs, forcing herself to turn towards Buck to cuddle against him.

“I’ll get up a few minutes, if that’s okay?”

It's been a while for Buck, but that's been the norm for the last little bit. After deciding what he wants - a relationship and a family - he'd stopped sleeping around entirely so that he could focus on finding something serious. He and Rey are looking for that together now, and although it's fast, he really doesn't regret anything they'd done.

"Take your time," Buck murmurs. "We've got all day." All day to eat, to finish their documentary, to do this all over again. There's no rush at all.

"Gonna have to reheat the food anyway, so we can stay here for a bit." He should find her something to wear, and he will once they both get up. Maybe something easier to remove for later because yeah, he wants to remove them again.

"Yeah, I might skip out on the running too. Especially if it means more cardio with you."

Rey could feel her cheeks go warm at Buck’s words. Feelings of embarrassment and shyness prompt the young woman to pull the sheets up in an attempt to hide her face. What they did was a cardio workout but it felt like he could keep going! Rey didn’t wonder how much stamina Buck has.

Maybe it’s a natural thing for him? Maybe he has more stamina since it was his day off? Something for her to think about later—assuming, they didn’t jump straight into another round.

“I might have to up my cardio to keep up with you,” she teased lightly, pulling down the bed sheet away from her face after her blush died down. Her stomach rumbled again, forcing Rey to sit up.

“Maybe I should get started on reheating the food.” Since she last ate…hod, how many hours ago? But first, she has to get dressed. Her clothes were on the floor and it wouldn’t be comfy to keep wearing her office outfit. The slacks didn’t provide much room to do a lot in.

“Or, I think head back to my place to change. I should’ve worn something comfier than my office clothes.”

"Mm yeah, we can work you out," Buck teases. He brings his hands up behind his head as he relaxes, then laughs when he hears her stomach rumble. "Am I gonna have to make sure you're fed, too?" It's easy for Buck to do that. He's a caretaker. He wants to take care of Rey.

"Just grab some of mine," he suggests. "I've got shirts and some shorts if you want." There's no need for her to go back home, especially not after getting intimate. They're not going out or anything, so she might as well be comfortable. "You can even take a shower if you want. I can reheat the food."

Buck’s teasing tone keeps Rey’s mind from spiraling. There was a part of her that wanted to hide from the embarrassment and minor shame from her lack of eating. Then there was another part that wanted to tell him she was fine, she could take care of herself. He was making a joke, he didn’t know how scare food could get at times for her or why she held off from eating. A quick deep breath helped her recenter herself.

“Ahh, not all the time. Promise.” No need to make it seem like she would be a burden to him.

“The day got away from me and I was really nervous about speaking with you again so…” lack of food which helped her in the long run? Meant they could have dinner together.

As for clothing…why did she get the feeling no matter what she borrowed from him, his clothes would swallow her? They probably would.

“If I could borrow a t shirt, I think I should be fine.” What guy didn’t like seeing their partner in a shirt and underwear?

Closed to toomanyevans

And I can finally tag back!

Woot!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

trying not to have spoilers :o

spoil away!

Okay!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject