#bisexuality is not a plot device

[atomicrebelfire]

❌ What Should Not Happen Between Buck and Tommy in Season 9

(And why it’s harmful if it does)

⚠️ Disclaimer:

This isn’t about policing queer identity. People explore. People learn. People fall in love late. That’s all valid. But this is about how media frames queerness — and how 9-1-1 risks reinforcing damaging tropes that queer audiences are exhausted by. When straight love stories are treated as stable and romantic, but queer ones are messy, painful, or never quite “enough,” it stops being representation and starts being a pattern. Especially in 9-1-1, where Buck and Tommy had a chance at something emotionally grounded and real — and the show chose to throw it away. What happens next matters. Not trying to overstep— — just putting into words what I don’t want to see happen.

TL;DR: Stop treating queerness like a detour. Buck doesn’t need to date around to realize he loved Tommy. Tommy isn’t a placeholder. And if Buck won’t talk to him now, don’t pretend he’ll magically be ready for someone else. Growth means honesty. Not avoidance.

🚫 What Should NOT Happen:

1. Buck “explores” queerness by dating multiple men or women before realizing Tommy was “the one” → Bisexuality doesn’t need to be proven through hookups. Tommy is not a test run.

2. Tommy stays emotionally stuck, waiting for Buck to figure himself out → That’s not love. That’s sidelining. Tommy deserves a story that isn’t on pause.

3. Buck returns with no growth, just longing → Love isn’t a Band-Aid for what you refused to confront. Do the work or stay away.

4. Tommy is framed as Buck’s “first but not true” queer love → This is the starter-boyfriend trope. It’s outdated, demeaning, and Tommy deserves better.

5. Tommy starts dating someone else, but they’re just filler before Buck returns → New relationships aren’t fake just because they’re not with the protagonist.

6. Tommy is punished by the narrative for moving on → Moving on is not betrayal. Stop treating emotional survival like a character flaw.

7. Buck’s queerness is only shown through hookups or heartbreak → Being queer doesn’t mean suffering has to be your default love language.

8. Tommy’s new partner is written as toxic just to make Buck look good → That’s not drama. That’s manipulation dressed as plot. Let Tommy choose well.

9. Buck dates someone awful just to realize Tommy was “the good one” → Let Buck grow — not get traumatized into appreciation. Regret isn’t a love story.

10. Buck avoids accountability, hoping time will “solve” things instead of talking to Tommy → You don’t magically become ready in the next relationship if you never faced the last one. Passivity is not a personality. It's avoidance.

If Buck truly loves Tommy — he should talk to him. Be direct. Be honest. If he doesn’t love him — then he should stay away.

✨ Bonus Tropes to Watch Out For in Season 9:

(Because Sometimes Writers Can’t Help Themselves)

11. “Now that he’s queer, Buck must suffer more than anyone else” → Buck has already carried a mountain of emotional pain. Queerness shouldn’t mean more punishment.

12. “Tommy should forgive anything, because Buck’s figuring it out” → This is the same trap Hen/Karen fell into. Hen cheated, Karen had to be “understanding.” Emotional labor ≠ love.

13. “Now that Buck is bi, he becomes hypersexual or ‘confused’ by everyone” → Being bi doesn’t mean you lose your emotional depth or loyalty.

14. “Queer love is always tragic; straight love is stable” → Hen/Karen? Nearly broken up. Buck/Tommy? Already broken.

15. “One queer character is deep, the other becomes a plot device” → Tommy should not become “the guy Buck almost texts.” He deserves his own arc, not ghost-status.

16. Buck’s queerness is “proven,” then erased by pairing him with a woman → Bisexuality isn’t a checkbox or a detour. If Buck dates a woman just to “balance” the narrative, that’s not representation — that’s quiet erasure.

🛑 For contrast: Lone Star handled queerness with more care. (not perfect or that they didn't frustrate with lazy writing)

TK and Carlos already knew they were gay — and their story began with clarity, not confusion. Buck’s journey is different. That’s valid.

But Lone Star gave its queer characters stability, love, and respect, even while showing their flaws.

Carlos’s past marriage to a woman was treated with emotional honesty — not used to erase his queerness.

Neither of them needed to “sleep around” to prove their identity or seriousness about each other.

And their pain (drug abuse, deaths, etc ) didn’t define their queerness — their commitment did.

Mainline 9-1-1 could — and should — learn from that.

💬 Before You Write the Next Chapter:

Buck doesn’t need to date more men or women to figure out if he loves Tommy. Either he does, or he doesn’t. What he doesn’t get to do is use other people as stepping stones to decide. Queerness isn’t a test you pass by hurting people. And love isn’t something you discover by leaving a trail of emotional casualties. If Buck loves Tommy — let him show up. If he doesn’t — let him leave him alone. But don’t make someone else suffer just so he can answer a question he’s too scared to ask.

💬 Final Thought:

If Buck and Tommy reunite, let it be because they choose each other again — from a place of growth, honesty, and mutual readiness. Not because everyone else failed. Not because one waited while the other wandered. And not because the show needed one more tortured queer arc.

If they don’t reunite — then let that be a choice that respects them both. No more tropes. No more lessons. No more ghosts. Just grown-ups. Talking. Feeling. Choosing.

Let’s just walk away from using tired tropes to avoid doing the emotional work — in writing and in love. and using stereotypes to compensate for a lack of storytelling courage. Show some heart in the stories.

[stagefoureddiediaz]

apparently severe CO poisoning can cause lesions on the skin, so maybe it's all connected? It would be just in the weewoo show wheelhouse to turn something silly into something deathly serious

Yes I was wondering if it would be a CO poisoning thing - which is where I was going with the post I made at 3am (my time) about the pipes Gerrard mentioned - it was 3am so I didn't actually state CO as the thing because my brain was not in fully functional mode 😂

It would be so on brand for the show to go down that route! especially as Buck has been stuck on latrine duty for so long - hence more exposed to those pipes perhaps!

My post about Tommy hitting Buck was more of a bit of speculative fun - to explore aspects of Bucks character and how the show might choose to address them - there are lots of possibilities!

I am very much of the opinion that it will be a poisoning thing - and that Hen will also be affected - hence the hallucination of Denny getting hit by a car and trapped - seeing her worst nightmares!

I actually really like the metaphor of CO poisoning to be honest. CO poisoning can also cause, increased heart rate, sleepiness, delirium, confusion and the depression of the central nervous system, alongside hallucinations and lesions.

Using CO poisoning as a way of indicating the reality of Buck's relationships over the course of all 8 seasons - that he's been slowly, slowly poisoning himself by just falling into all these relationships without actually stopping to look at what he wants or needs and how they're making him feel - letting others chase him and just going along with things, until a physical manifestation appears in the form of a lesion. its a really interesting and clever way of exploring Bucks tendencies to not choose for himself and not look internally at his wants and needs and also to not look to closely at his heart (where he'll find Eddie when he does)

CO poisoning slowly increasing your heart rate (abby), headaches and dizziness (Ali), kind of making you sluggish - like you've got anaesthetic in your system (depression of the central nervous system) (taylor), shortness of breath (Natalia) and being confused and disoriented (hello I misunderstood the assignment) when Tommy kissed him. The delirium of realising a new part of yourself you didn't know existed before, and then having it manifest visually in a physical lesion - Tommy being akin to a lesion on Bucks life (in a halloween episode no less) as almost a final and visual symptom is peak comedy (only on 911!) and such an interesting way to introduce baggage and hurdles or whatever synonym Oliver wants to go with in his next interview! Because if its visual - it means Buck has become aware of things - metaphorically he's beginning to understand what he does every time he is in a relationship - and now he has to both stop the cause of those symptoms and treat them before they 'kill' him - basically he has to actually learn from his past relationships (and his current one) and get off that hamster wheel. Its such a clever metaphor for Bucks relationships and his inability to look at things until they become so obvious he cannot avoid them.

He's going to learn that he's going about things the same way with a man as he did with the women he dated and this is where he finally looks and learns and unpacks that baggage and moves forward!

[attractthecrows]

Sanemi is trans thanks to the parentified oldest sister -> transman pipeline

Genya is trans thanks to not realizing that he's trans until she's at least in her mid twenties and built like a mack truck

Tengen is trans because he has always viewed gender as her best performance and they don't like being consistent anyways #flashyfluid

Gyomei is not trans because he's always been too goddamn busy to put any thought in that direction. "Am I experiencing Gender? I don't care I've got twelve orphans to feed/a million demons to kill"

[sloasis]

" This thing between us has been messy and hard , " Very very interesting that those words were also used WHEN YOU BROKE UP WITH ANA , EDDIE ! WHAT THE HELL ! You said that to BUCK right before you hopped in your truck to move 800 MILES AWAY !!! Before he MOVES IN YOUR HOUSE and UNPACKS all of his stuff !! You told Ana she SHOULD GO HOME . Marisol didn't even live in your house for a week before you BROKE UP WITH HER TOO ! And BUCK . Don't get me started on you buddy . You moved into Abby's apartment and STAYED when she LEFT TOO . You moved in Taylor when you CHEATED ON HER and kissed someone else ! YOU TRIED TO GET TOMMY TO MOVE IN AND THEN HE BROKE UP WITH YOU EDDIE STYLE ( because it was ALSO about EDDIE ) and then HOOKED UP WITH HIM AGAIN when Eddie is GONE and the HOUSE IS EMPTY and quiet . You two have this super similar pattern with these relationships , you try to make it work , try to make it serious ( because you think that's what you SHOULD do ) by moving them in / meeting your kid , and then when it gets TOO serious or they tell you they LOVE YOU , you panic and either impulsively DO SOMETHING or you feel miserable and BREAK IT OFF . Insanity . You guys are looking for something you think you should have and should need but what you NEED is right in front of you . You're just too repressed and oblivious to understand it yet .

[t0livef0rtheh0pe0fitall]

I’m pretty sure Tommy isn’t going to be in this for the long run, cause we all are set on buddie endgame, but I just have to say the man that Tommy is, is everything to me. The way he waits to gauge where Buck stands before kissing him. The way he asks after if it was okay. The way buck is speechless and flustered (bothered and bewildered, should I say), but having a moment of realisation that this is what he was looking for. Tommy’s no games or beating round the bush - Saturday, I’ll pick you up at 8. Like I am on board for however long or short Tommy may last and I am going to enjoy every last second of it.

[bejeweledfangirl]

right, stevie, do you fancy nicole? or what? because why do you care that much about her life choices like. usually you’re happy to light the fire and watch it burn.

[alleycatchitchat]

just woke up from a very vivid dream that I was reading an Archie Comics Digest and there was a story there about Reggie Mantle’s bisexual awakening and now I’m lowkey kind of mad it’s not canon

[peachdoxie]

Now that Pride Month is over I actually have to think of content to put on my library's Tumblr instead of just searching the word "gay" in the catalog.

[kentray]

I’m going to say something likely unpopular on Tumblr but it’s a different perspective.

I always knew Keeley was bi based on S1. No issue and not surprised. (Oh look let’s have the former Page 3 girl/WAG be bi… can you say acceptable to the male gaze?)

I WAS icked out by the dog breeder b/c i know what it’s like. I had it happen to me by someone I thought was charming & cute many years ago. Even at that time I was icked out. I get that Keeley didn’t seem to be but I found it awkward b/c the way the woman did it WAS too presumptuous. But I thought it was part of a series of events in S2 that hinted at her arc for S3.

I had hoped Keeley would realize she had boundary issues, because of several other instances in S2. 1) Not being able to admit to Roy she needed space until she told everyone else & then exploded on him 2) Her simple acceptance of Jamie’s self-absorbed love confession (not awful but thoughtless - I would hate for an ex to do that to me in that circumstance) and worst of all 3) Nate kissing her against her will & Keeley making HIM feel better.

So then the awkward hand-kiss happened. All this led me to believe S3 would be about Keeley setting boundaries for herself so you can imagine how frustrated I was when she entered a relationship with her employer.

S1 Keeley was direct and honest when people disappointed her (Jamie, Rebecca & even Roy). Somewhere along the line she lost that. S3 really was a let-down in terms of telling Keeley’s story.

all this glaad award discourse is giving me horror flashbacks to s2 when ppl were writing multi-paragraph thinkpieces on why the dog breeder coming onto Keeley was queerbaiting but also homophobic bc Keeley 'wasn't confirmed to be bi' & the interaction portrayed wlw as 'predatory.' first of all I cannot fathom how they could've been any more clear than "dip my toes back into the lady pool' back in S1 and if you didn't know Keeley was confirmed bi this whole time that's a skill issue. second of all god forbid hot women flirt with each other!

[vashvana]

List of things that actually happened in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure:

• David Bowie terrorizes a small Japanese town

• Gay rainbows turn people into snails using subliminal messaging

• A naked man with four balls (2 x 2) wakes up in the dirt

• A bisexual asshole tortures a family for generations

• A mafia group comprised almost entirely of fashionable teenagers set out to eradicate drugs

• One man crashes a plane not once, not twice, but on three separate occasions (and also attends his own funeral)

• A hive mind of sentient plankton inhabit a corpse and infiltrate a prison

• A twink turns into a dinosaur and a nun uses literal genderfluid as a weapon

• Mona Lisa bøner

• A homicidal sugar daddy doctor and his Stockholm syndrome patient spread a deadly virus throughout the city of Venice

• Jesus Christ. Like literally, just Jesus Christ.

• A character creates a Mobius strip (infinity strip ♾️) out of string inside her heart, to counter her organs being turned inside out by an enemy who can redirect the flow of gravity

• A story spawning generations, utilizing completely different genres, casts, and settings. The theme of fate vs free will; the evil of humanity vs the everyday good; choosing your own path- all are exemplified through a creative, genre breaking story with a unique power system. Fate as a concept is not just something used to give the victory to the good guys, it is a tangible known force within the story. One that both acts as something the characters lust after to obtain their goals, but also a metaphorical device to test them and weave the intricacies of their woes. Jaw-dropping, constantly evolving art; fun and complex characters; unpredictable, ever-changing plots, these are but a few reasons for why JJBA is my favorite series. It is committed to being absolutely everything it can be, and highlights the beauties of life.

• also yandere

[a-deep-ocean-of-secrets]

I don't really understand some people's strong insistence that Buck needs to openly date/play the field now that he's bisexual. Or that it is unlikely/impossible that he could happily settle down with Tommy because he's his first male partner. One, it feels like it's propagating negative stereotypes. And two, it feels like a crucial misunderstanding of Buck's character.

Now, if it was Buck 1.0 who discovered this new facet of his sexuality, sure, he'd probably be hooking up with men and women in equal measure. And hats off to him. The guy's a T-bone steak. But since Abby, he's been in search of a serious, committed relationship. He wants to share a deep and profound connection with someone. More so, he wants to love and be loved in return. So, to me, it isn't surprising at all that even with men added into the equation, he has still zeroed in his attention on a single person (Tommy).

That segues into the other popular talking point that Tommy's only purpose is to serve as a plot device to open Buck's eyes to his bisexuality. If that were the case, then his role in the story would have been accomplished in 7x05. They could have kissed, and gone on their date, have it be crashed by Eddie, Buck putting his foot in his mouth with the 'hot chicks' comment, Tommy stepping back by telling Buck that he isn't ready, and then he could have peaced out of the narrative. ✌️Role fulfilled. Buck could still come out to Maddie and Eddie, accept his new sense of self, and decide that he indeed doesn't desire anything serious at the moment and wants the freedom to explore. His failed date with Tommy could have served as a learning experience and he then could wait for a new guy to catch his interest.

But he doesn't do that. He doubles down on Tommy. He calls him to apologize. He invites him to coffee. He tells him that while this is all new to him, Tommy is the one he wants to explore this with. He invites him to his sister's wedding. He's all in on Tommy. Because he has strong feelings for Tommy. Inviting Tommy to the wedding wasn't just about Buck coming out to his loved ones, it was about introducing them to Tommy as his partner.

Buck is committed to his relationship with Tommy. A relationship that (most likely) is going to continue to grow in the next two episodes and then into the next season. 🤞

[rowinablx]

Alright, let’s rip into this with the subtlety of a sledgehammer through a stained-glass window. Buddie shippers—you know who you are, the ones clutching your fanfics like sacred texts and screaming into the void of Tumblr and Twitter about how Eddie Diaz and Evan "Buck" Buckley are destined to be soulmates despite zero evidence in the actual show—your toxicity is a blight on the 9-1-1 fandom, and it’s high time someone called it out for the festering mess it is. You’ve turned what could’ve been a fun, speculative corner of the internet into a cesspool of entitlement, delusion, and outright hostility that makes wading through fandom discourse feel like trudging through a landfill after a rainstorm.

First off, let’s talk about your obsession with "subtext" that isn’t there. You cherry-pick every lingering glance, every moment of platonic camaraderie, and twist it into some grand romantic narrative that exists solely in your heads. Buck and Eddie are best friends—brothers-in-arms forged by trauma and trust—and you’ve warped that beautiful bond into something it’s never been scripted to be. You’re not "reading between the lines"; you’re scribbling your own fanon over a script that doesn’t support it, then throwing tantrums when the writers don’t cater to your fantasies. Newsflash: the show isn’t your personal sandbox. Tim Minear and the team don’t owe you a damn thing, least of all a romance that’s never been hinted at in canon beyond your fevered imaginations.

And oh, the toxicity—where do I even start? You’ve harassed actors, writers, and fellow fans with a venom that’s frankly unhinged. Oliver Stark says Buck’s bisexual awakening with Tommy Kinard was a story he was proud to tell? You flood his mentions with whining about how it "should’ve been Eddie." Ryan Guzman dares to play Eddie as a straight man with his own complex arc? You call him homophobic or claim he’s "queerbaiting" by—checks notes—existing as a character who doesn’t conform to your headcanon. You’ve turned the fandom into a battleground, doxxing people who ship other pairings, sending death threats over BuckTommy, and acting like anyone who disagrees with your Buddie gospel is some kind of fandom heretic. It’s not passion; it’s a tantrum dressed up as devotion.

Let’s not forget the mental gymnastics you perform to dismiss anything that contradicts your ship. Buck’s relationship with Tommy—canon, on-screen, confirmed—was a groundbreaking moment for a character who’d been floundering in dead-end romances with women. But instead of celebrating that representation, you sneered at it, called Tommy a "stepping stone," and insisted it was just a plot device to "delay" Buddie. You couldn’t handle that Buck’s queerness didn’t revolve around Eddie, so you trashed a perfectly good storyline out of spite. And when BuckTommy inevitably ended—because relationships in procedurals often do—you didn’t mourn it as a natural arc; you gloated like it was some cosmic victory for your cause. That’s not shipping; that’s a cult mentality.

The entitlement is suffocating. You act like 9-1-1 is a choose-your-own-adventure book where your votes dictate the outcome, and when it doesn’t bend to your will, you scream "queerbaiting" louder than a foghorn. Here’s a reality check: queerbaiting requires intent to mislead, and 9-1-1 has never dangled Buddie as a promise. You built that expectation yourselves, then blamed the show for not delivering. Meanwhile, actual queer rep—like Buck’s bisexuality or Hen and Karen’s marriage—gets overshadowed by your relentless whining. You’re not champions of representation; you’re gatekeepers of a fantasy that drowns out what’s real.

And the irony? You claim to love these characters, but you reduce them to props in your shipping war. Eddie’s struggles with grief, faith, and fatherhood? Irrelevant unless they serve Buddie. Buck’s journey of self-discovery and vulnerability? Only matters if it ends with Eddie’s arms around him. You don’t care about their growth as individuals; you just want your fanfic validated on-screen, consequences to the story be damned. It’s selfish, shallow, and sucks the joy out of a show that’s supposed to be about heroism, not your soap opera wet dreams.

So here’s the brutal truth, Buddie shippers: your toxicity has made you the fandom’s own emergency call—a disaster everyone else has to navigate around. You’ve taken a show about found family and turned it into a battleground for your unhinged obsession, alienating anyone who dares to enjoy 9-1-1 for what it actually is. Keep clutching your fanart and screaming into the echo chamber of your fandom, but don’t expect the rest of us to pretend it’s anything but noise. And while BuckTommy didn’t last long, at least it was canon—something your ship, for all its noise and bluster, will never be. Deal with it.

[vivsinkpot]

Character Diversity Done Right: Beyond Tokenism & Forced Inclusivity

Diversity in storytelling isn’t just about ticking boxes or adding characters to look inclusive. It’s about creating real, nuanced people who enrich your world and resonate with readers. Let’s break down how to do diversity thoughtfully — without falling into the trap of forced inclusivity or the “token minority” trope.

✨ What Is Forced Inclusivity?

Forced inclusivity happens when diversity feels like an obligation instead of a natural part of the story.

Characters might be added just to meet a quota.

Their identities are mentioned but not explored or integrated meaningfully.

They often feel out of place or like an afterthought.

Why avoid it?

Because it can feel performative, shallow, or even disrespectful. Readers want authentic stories — not characters who exist only to “check a box.”

⚠️ The Token Minority Trap

A “token” character is often the only member of their group in the story, included to represent an entire community. They usually:

Have one-dimensional traits centered on their identity (e.g., the “sassy Black friend” or “nerdy gay sidekick”).

Are used to educate or explain cultural issues instead of being full characters.

Serve as a plot device rather than people with their own goals and flaws.

💡 How to Write Diversity Well

1. Make characters fully fleshed-out individuals.

Diversity isn’t just skin-deep or a label — it’s about who the character is inside. When you create a diverse character, ask yourself:

What motivates them? What are their dreams and fears beyond their identity?

How do their relationships shape them?

What quirks, flaws, or contradictions make them human?

This makes them feel real, not like a “diversity prop.” For example, a transgender character could be a talented detective who struggles with self-doubt, a funny sense of humor, and complicated family ties — not just “the trans character.”

2. Avoid stereotypes and clichés.

Stereotypes reduce complex people to a handful of traits. They can be harmful and alienate readers who identify with those characters.

Do your research! Read books, watch films, and listen to podcasts created by people from the community you’re portraying.

Avoid relying on common tropes like the “magical Native American,” “angry Black woman,” or “promiscuous bisexual.”

Give your character individuality that breaks expectations — maybe they defy norms within their own culture or identity.

Example

Instead of the “model minority” trope, write an Asian character who struggles with their own passions, insecurities, and family dynamics, making them a well-rounded person, not just a stereotype.

3. Include multiple diverse characters.

Having just one “diverse” character often makes them a symbol rather than a person. Real communities are rich, varied, and nuanced — and your story should reflect that.

Introduce more than one character from the same or different backgrounds to show variety.

Show how their experiences differ even if they share an identity. For instance, two queer characters might have completely different outlooks based on age, culture, or personality.

This avoids the “token” feeling and creates a more believable world.

4. Let diversity shape the world naturally.

In real life, diversity influences culture, language, food, traditions, and social dynamics. Your story world should feel lived-in and authentic.

Think about how diverse backgrounds affect worldbuilding — from holidays and cuisine to language and fashion.

Show interactions between communities, including cooperation, conflict, and blending of cultures.

Don’t just “drop in” diverse characters without integrating their identities into the story’s social fabric.

Example

In a fantasy city, different kingdoms might reflect distinct cultures with their own customs and dialects — giving your setting richness and depth.

5. Don’t make identity the only thing about them.

A character’s ethnicity, gender, or sexuality is part of who they are — but not the whole story.

Their identity can influence their worldview and experiences, but they should have other defining traits too — like ambitions, fears, or talents unrelated to identity.

Avoid writing characters whose entire personality or plot revolves around their minority status.

This lets readers see them as complex individuals, not just representatives.

Example:

A Black engineer who’s passionate about robotics and has a dry sense of humor — their race is important, but so is their love for tinkering and problem-solving.

6. Listen and learn from feedback.

No one gets it perfect on the first try. Writing diverse characters is a learning process.

Seek out sensitivity readers from the communities you’re writing about. Their insights can catch unintentional biases, inaccuracies, or harmful stereotypes.

Be open to constructive criticism and willing to revise your work.

Remember: it’s better to listen and grow than to defend mistakes that could hurt readers.

Final Thought

Diversity is about inclusion and respect, not obligation or tokenism. When you write with empathy and intention, your story becomes richer — and your characters become unforgettable.

💬 Got tips or experiences writing diverse characters? Drop them below or tag me — let’s learn and grow together!

[teambuddie]

when i started to watch 911 i already liked buddie, but i wanted to give b*ckt*mmy a chance, i really did, but honestly, i just couldn't and i'm gonna explain why.

1. eddie was haunting the narrative.

after watching 6 seasons of buck dating women i'm not gonna lie i was pretty excited to see him flirt with tummy because yay bisexual buck!!! and the very first scene i was filled with joy until... eddie was in every corner of the relationship. i know, the writers were using buddie as a diversion, they wanted to surprise us that hey he was jealous of tummy not eddie! but then they kept eddie haunting the narrative through the whole relationship. every bt scene eddie was there or was mentioned and obviously the writers did that on purpose, because we're supposed to keep thinking about eddie, we're supposed to know buck is still thinking about eddie even if he's dating someone else. to me the writers made bt impossible to exist separated from eddie and buddie and that made it impossible to me to truly give bt a chance even if i was already biased.

2. tummy is BORING.

look, i was so happy buck was gonna date a man and figure out his sexuality, i really was, but holy shit tummy made it almost unbearable to watch some scenes. how can a man be so boring??? he has zero personality, zero charm, zero everything. every LI from both buck and eddie had at least SOMETHING going on, you know? even natalia and ana had more personality than tummy and that's a bit insane like how a character who showed up for like 5 episodes is more well developed and interesting than you?? and again, to me the writers did that deliberately, they wanted us to feel like something was missing, they didn't want us to get attached to tummy because he wasn't going to be a constant, he was a plot device and he was treated as such. no personality, no complexities, nothing, a blank state.

3. the acting.

this is probably gonna sound mean, but i have to be honest. one of the things that made it even more impossible to enjoy bt was l*u's acting. imo 911 has fantastic acting, like ANGELA BASSETT is on the show, the bar is high guys! even side characters act really well throughout the show and yeah sometimes there is overacting, but mostly is really good and expressive. and then there's l*u... he's so stale, so unexpressive, so bland is like watching a sixth grader acting on a broadway production (but a sixth grader would do a better job probably). i can't take tummy seriously as a character because not only is he boring but i don't feel like watching a "real" character, just a person pretending to be a character and i know that's what acting is but good acting makes you forget that what you're watching is fiction and makes you feel for the characters. l*u's acting achieves none of that.

4. b*ckt*mmies.

i understand when b*ckt*mmies say they can't enjoy buddie bc of the fandom, i do bc they just pushed me even further away from bt. the way they reacted to the break up was... something. some of them had valid reasons to be upset and ofc they were gonna be emotional about their ship breaking up, but the whole "this is homophobic/biphobic" discourse was too much. first they decide to simply forget michael was also an elder gay and say that bt was the only gay couple that showed someone older can be happy... like, are you serious???? "oh but michael wasn't a main character" but his storyline was very well developed and it just as a representation as bt. even better than bt bc no one was saying how he wants the other to have daddy issues (that irked me so much god WHY WOULD HE SAY THAT????). calling ostark biphobic bc he said he wants buck to sleep around again??? as if he said that bc he's bi when it's obvious he said buck should sleep around bc he's buck. ostark showed nothing but support to bi buck and he was always so excited about the storyline, but since he wasn't too onboard with bt and said he'd like for his character to sleep around a bit suddenly he's biphobic???? the way they decided to interpret what tummy said as him saying buck isn't sure of what he wants when it's clear he meant that buck should explore more his sexuality not to be sure but because that's what he probably did and he knows it's healthy and normal to get with new people to figure out what you like and what you want. nothing about the breakup and what ostark/tim said was prejudiced and while i understand feeling hurt and interpreting some stuff with a negative light, i don't think they were being fair to the writing and the crew.

maybe i'm biased bc buddie was already my ship even before i watched 911, but honestly i think if they wanted us to root for bt they'd make their relationship more compelling, they'd give tummy more personality, they'd not make eddie haunt the narrative, but that's not what they did and you may think that's "unfair" to bt and tummy, but honestly it was a warning sign b*ckt*mmies ignored... the sign that said: "this is not meant to be". when tummy called buck evan it wasn't without a deeper meaning, it showed us he was the odd one out, it showed us he didn't belong. and so, he's gone.

[undead-supernova]

High Tolerance Masterlist

pairings: modern!bestfriend!Eddie x bisexual!fem!reader

plot: you and Eddie decide to have a calm day before your Christmas party. and, for the first time since you met this year, you find clarity.

cw: cannabis consumption, nicotine indulgence, a dash of spice, gentle angst

wc: 3.2k

note: this is a one-off of my High Tolerance series, as well as my submission for @littlexdeaths's Christmas Event, choosing prompt 10: ghosts of Christmas past. I love you, Mari. Merry Chrysler <3

This is a Christmas present for one of my lovely best friends, @jo-harrington who has made a huge impact in my life, my heart, and my writing. Thank you for all the love you've shown me. I don't take any of it for granted.

“No, what I’m saying is that I think a man is lame if he won’t let a woman peg him.”

“That’s over dramatic.”

“What, you don’t agree with me?”

“No, I just think you’re simplifying it.”

“Are you saying that you wouldn’t let a woman peg you?”

“I didn’t say that.” 

“Ha!”

Eddie shook his head, carrying the last of the Kroger bags to your kitchen. “Listen, all I’m saying is that I don’t think you can judge someone like that. What if they’re straight?”

You took two of the heavier bags from him before placing them on the counter. “Well then I have more incentive to judge.” He rolled his eyes. “Would you go close the door?”

“You’re ruthless. Absolutely not,” he responded before doing exactly what you asked.

Eddie had been a big help, prepping for your Christmas party the following night as co-hosts. The decision on where to hold it was easy: your apartment was slightly bigger than his, not to mention Eddie was still figuring out how to decorate his new apartment.

Steve and Robin offered, but Eddie had been adamant that it was him and his Weirdo who would do the best job. The A-List guest list consisted of you two, Steve, Robin, Gareth, Grant, and Jeff. 

While you’d gone home to see your mom and sister for Thanksgiving, Eddie’s bandmates had surprised him with the news that they were officially planning to move to Atlanta after college graduation in May. Thus, you'd been left to your own devices until now.

Eddie had made the first few weeks of December as festive as possible, surprising you with peppermint hot chocolates and the worst Christmas movies you’d ever seen. You’d begged him for a classic, like Elf or It’s a Wonderful Life, but he’d strategically saved those for the week of Christmas itself. 

Without any explanation, Eddie pulled something out of his tote bag. It was a small box, wrapped in red and white striped wrapping paper with a ridiculously big bow on top.

You scowled at him. “Eddie. No.”

He grinned. “Yes.”

“No!”

“Yes!”

Shaking your head, you stated, “We said no presents.”

An overdramatically apologetic expression filled his face. “My fingers crossed unexpectedly when we said that.”

“That’s very convenient.”

“I thought so, too.”

He was insufferable.

You sighed, raising your hands. “Eddie, I can’t accept it.” Before you could think to move, he grabbed your hand and shoved it into your palm. “It’s already in your hand.”

Groaning, you conceded. “Fine! Fine.”

“Yes!” he exclaimed before shoving his hands behind his back, failing to hide his smile.

Rolling your eyes, you tore the paper and delved inside.

“It’s…oil,” you stated.

Eddie raised his pointer finger, catching your attention. “A very specific kind of oil. Delta-8.”

“Did you give me drugs for Christmas?” you asked.

“There’s no better time.” He wasn’t wrong. “Besides, you’re making that beer cheese and I thought it’d go great.”

“That’s perfect, actually,” you said seriously. “Thank you.”

“No problem.”

“You know, I have a secret.”

Pages ripped from your latest notebook rested in your pocket. Actually, they weren’t exactly restful. They felt quite restless, burning a hole in your pants and your mind. The ink clogged your throat, the words swirling together in your head, preventing any clarity from forming. 

“Which is?”

Here this guy was, your certified best friend standing beside you after a year and a half of silence. His presence in your life came with open arms and a struggle for pure vulnerability. You’d had your moments over the last seven months, what with your pasts coming up and all of the memories that felt like stories the moment they were shared. 

Give it to him, you thought. Come on, do it.

“I actually had all of my toes crossed when we said no presents,” you said finally, fingers reaching toward your back pocket. 

His eyebrows lifted. “That’s very convenient.”

“Yeah, I thought so, too.”

The pads of your fingertips grazed the paper gently before you reached around him to grab a tiny cardboard box resting on your kitchen table.

Coward.

“How did I not notice that?” he asked, taking it from you.

You shrugged. “I’m the master of disguise.”

“Clearly,” he muttered before opening the top of the box slowly. He made a show of it, closing one eye and trying to peer into the darkness. You giggled as soon as he saw what was inside.

“A joint, huh?” You nodded, biting your lip. “All for me?”

“All for you.”

He placed a hand on his chest, giving you a big smile. “That’s extremely heartfelt, sweetheart. Thank you.”

You tried to keep your smile from faltering, that note starting to singe your skin through the denim. 

Give it to him, you thought again. Do it. Do it now.

“Do you want some beer cheese?” you asked.

“Under one condition,” he said, holding up a finger. Your eyebrow quirked up. “You can’t down it like you did last time.”

You scoffed. “Oh, come on! That’s not fair!”

“Those are the rules, Weirdo.”

“Ugh,” you grumbled. “Fine. Come on.”

Eddie had been shocked when you picked him up. Your face was nearly bare, wearing neutral eye shadow fading into a charcoal gray with thin-winged eyeliner and maroon lipstick. It was the first time he’d seen you without eyes completely coated in darkness. 

It was startling.

You were dazzling.

Donning a black turtleneck, jeans, and combat boots, you flitted around your kitchen as you measured how much oil you’d pour into the cheese. 

And, okay. Eddie didn’t mean to look at your ass. Scouts honor. However, you bent down to grab a pot from your cabinet and he couldn’t help but look. He could admire how well your jeans fit you, couldn't he?

In the midst of his perusing, he noticed paper in your back right pocket. He found it curious. It couldn’t have been your grocery list—you’d used your Notes app for that. What were you hiding?

“When do the boys come in?” you asked.

Eddie blinked, tearing his eyes away just in time to meet yours. “Oh, the band?” You nodded before turning the burner on low. “Uh, yeah. They come in at nine-thirty tomorrow.”

“And you’re sure you wanna sleep over tonight?”

He shrugged. “Only if you want to.”

“We’ll see if I get sick of you by then.”

Eddie snorted before moving past you to grab some Pringles from your cabinet. “After my killer present? Nah, I don’t think so, sweetheart.”

“Don’t sweetheart me, mister,” you said playfully before gasping. He jumped back just in time as you thrusted a cheese-covered wooden spoon in his direction. “Damn, Eddie, get your own Pringles! Those are for the party!”

He moved to the back corner of the kitchen, quickly shoving a Pringle in his mouth. As he held the can like it was the Ark of the Covenant, he grinned at you before giving a chip a rather loud crunch.

“That fucking does it!” you exclaimed, leaping towards him.

The two of you fought to claim the Pringles can for yourselves. Eddie couldn’t help but giggle the entire time, loving each touch you shared, even if it was so you could hit him. 

He was grateful he’d met you. There was something extraordinary about the way you fell into each other, effortless in nature. The hesitation you once held with one another had dethawed, replaced with a promise that you’d catch each other when you fell. Even now, after you nearly slipped onto the floor.

Eddie caught you, arm scooping under your waist just in time before your head met the tile.

Maybe there was a time and a place to say how he felt. Maybe it could be today or tomorrow after the party. Christmas morning or New Year’s Eve. But when he gazed into your bewildered eyes, he reflected on everything you’d opened up to him about over the last seven months. The pain, the betrayal. You needed a friend, not another messy situation that would ultimately hurt you. 

So, for now, he focused on the here and now. And by the end of the night, he’d solve the case of the mysterious note.

The south didn’t do snow. 

It was a made up concept, some nearly forgotten folklore created when a hint of ice formed along mountainsides and frozen faucets. When it came to winter, the grass resembled wheat and the spindly trees towered above the cities. 

And there you were with Eddie, out on your tiny balcony as you had your nightly cigarette and waited for spiked cheese to kick in.

Eddie had been rambling about a few lines of his latest song that he couldn’t quite make right, needing a better word than beaming that still held two syllables.

You’d stared out at the street, but something happened the moment you looked back at him. He was leaning against the railing, going back and forth from placing his unlit cigarette between his teeth and removing it so he could talk. Your gaze fell to his lips, watching his constant back and forth.

For a moment, perhaps in a trick of the light, an image flashed in your mind. Eddie on his knees, hands curling around your thick thighs, smirking up at you with a look of mischief. His eyes, alight with darkness that swirled into something magnificent before dipping his head under your skirt and pressing a kiss against your— 

Then it was gone, replaced with Eddie’s final attempt to put the cigarette between his teeth and light the damn thing. The second he let out his first wave of smoke, you felt your breath hitch in your throat.

Because you were starting to think about his mouth around something else.

“Flaring?” he pondered, taking another thoughtful drag. 

The chill of forty degree weather did nothing to stop the fire rushing to your core. His unoccupied hand bounced along the railing as he thought. There was a crude kind of desire in you to grab it and place it against the ache, relieving the tension that was starting to twist inside you.

“Flooding?” 

The wetness sat in your underwear, diabolically abandoned by the man in front of you who continued rambling on. The wind rustled his hair, sending wisps into his mouth that he had to pull away. Why weren’t your fingers tugging at the strands, claiming his lips with your own?

Your impulse control felt, well, out of control. 

“Surging?”

The racing of your heart was made worse the harder you pulled on that cigarette, the clouds you created only growing. But there was an emotion billowing in that smoke, signaling to you that something had shifted.

You had shifted, as quickly as the season. 

Seven months. Three seasons.

Not nearly enough time to catch your bearings or build a stable foundation. However, you were starting to notice more and more that there was something else hiding behind every sleepover and good morning text. 

This was an awakening.

An awakening that was surely going to ruin everything.

But when he asked what you thought of blazing instead of beaming, your heart fluttered and you answered without hesitation, “It’s perfect.”

Eddie watched with amusement as you floundered over the kitchen table like a fish, definitely feeling the effects of the beer cheese. You were starting to look like an inflatable balloon man on his final wave.

“We…” you trailed, holding up your pointer finger. “Weeee need to put up decorations.”

He laughed, leaning over to boop you on the nose. “Yooou need a timeout, Weirdo.”

You let out a sound resembling a growl. “Noooo.”

“Did you just growl at me?” he asked.

Shrugging, you poked him repeatedly before letting out another growl. “Bark, bark,” you said, lowering the pitch of your voice. “Hiss, hiss.”

“You’re fucked, sweetheart,” he commented, grabbing your finger and placing it back on the table.

Your eyes widened slightly before you snorted and waved your hand around. “Get your head out of the gutter, Munson.”

Before he could respond, your fingers were moving back to him, snatching his hand and holding it firmly. Seemingly without thought, you brought it up to your mouth and pretended to bite him. Eddie tried to yank it back, but you were surprisingly strong, lips hovering over his skin.

In a quick flicker, Eddie found himself lost in an image of your teeth clamping down on his throat, wrists caught in your grasp as you pinned him to your bed. You, grinding your hips against his in a frenzy, chasing friction as he bucked in an attempt to reach the same release. 

What he wouldn’t give for you to draw blood.

“Oh, so now you’re a vampire?” he asked with a cough, trying not to let the pink meet his cheeks. Or his poor dick.  

Without a word, you gave him a smirk and bit him.

Eddie jumped with a yelp, almost knocking his chair over if it hadn’t been for your death grip.

You let out one of the loudest guffaws he’d ever heard, warming his heart as he settled back into his wobbly chair. He couldn’t help but laugh along, but he unfortunately couldn’t keep his cock from getting hard.

What was it about you that drove him fucking insane?

“You’re so easy to freak out,” you said with a toothy smile, running your thumb over the bite mark you’d left behind.

Or just easy to turn on, he thought.

In the minutes that passed, you sat in silence, mutually gentle as you enjoyed your shared high. He studied your mark on him, the curve of each individual tooth imprinted on the skin between his thumb and pointer finger. If only he could keep it from returning to normal. 

If only he could tell you how he felt.

“You’re holding my hand,” he observed quietly.

“Oh! Sorry,” you replied softly. But you didn’t release your grasp.

Eddie chuckled, face growing hot as he tried his hand at bravery. “You’re all good. It’s cute.”

“Cute?” you asked, lifting your head from the table. 

He shrugged. “Yeah, I’d say so.”

“I like your hand. It’s warm,” you mumbled. Your tracing became languid, slow and gentle.

“Yeah?” His breath was starting to go ragged, entirely blown away by your forward nature. Of course, he knew it was because of the weed. That’s all it was to you. But, to him, it meant everything. He never wanted you to stop.

You nodded. “Yeah. It feels really nice. Softer than I expected.”

Then a thought bloomed.

“Can I ask you a very stupid question?”

“Always.”

The knuckles on his unoccupied hand drummed against the table as he asked, “What’s in your back pocket?”

Your head snapped up. “Eddie…”

“Is it bad?” You avoided his gaze. “You’re making it sound like a ransom note or nuclear codes.”

“No, that’s not…” you trailed before sighing. “That’s not it.”

Eddie watched as you deflated, shoulders hunching forward. What was going on?

“Then what is it?”

You barely gave him a glance before averting your gaze again. “I wrote you a note but I’m too scared to give it to you.”

“Why?”

“It’s cheesy.” Your hand retreated from his, leaving his palm to freeze instantly. “But sometimes if I’m not sure what to do for presents, I like to write notes. It’s just, after a while, I decided not to give it to you.”

“You could read it to me.”

Scoffing, your tone grew sarcastic. “Read it? Right. Sure.”

“Come on, Weirdo.” You bit your lip. “Do it for the spirit of Christmas.”

“Absolutely not.”

“If not for Santa, then for me.”

That’s when he finally found your eyes, pooling with indecision. 

Without a word, you stood up and pulled the paper out of your back pocket.

“Eddie,” you started, sending flutters to his chest immediately. “I know that we haven’t been friends for a year yet, but you’re probably the best friend I’ve ever had.” He watched you take a deep breath, desperate to see what was settling in your eyes. “I don’t say this to put pressure on you, but to tell you that your…” another deep breath, “friendship has changed my life.”

Your glossy eyes lifted. 

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I can’t finish this,” you replied. 

Eddie felt his heart crumble the second you crushed the paper between your fingers. He jumped up immediately, quick to try and grab the note. 

“Hey, don’t do that,” he whispered, shaking his head. You took a step back, mirroring his action. “Come on, it’s not stupid. I wanna know what else you have to say.”

“It’s cheesy.”

“It’s genuine.”

He went to take it again, but you moved your hand away.

“It’s unoriginal.”

“It’s authentic.”

One more attempt at snagging the note resulted in you taking three steps back. “I hate Christmas,” you whispered. Out of the corner of his eye, Eddie found your hands shaking. “I can’t control the passage of time and whether you’re going to be here next year or not. What if I give this to you and then in six months you realize how stupid I am and you just go?”

He said your name gently, but you shook your head.

“I can see it now, you know? You’ll find the note lodged in some pocket somewhere and wonder how it got there. And you’ll be so livid that you’ll go and set it on fire and light your cigarette with the flame.”

Before you could continue your dark forebodings, Eddie fingers wrapped around your trembling, tight-knuckled fist. The contact set him ablaze as he felt the tension build. Here you two were, connected by a bittersweet tug of war.

“Hey,” he whispered, trying to keep his voice steady. But how could he? You were searching his eyes, crestfallen and confused. He could say the same for himself. “I know it sucks to open up to people you don’t know are gonna stay.”

He heard the catch in your breath before tears fell down your cheeks.

“I’m here to stay,” he said, more confident now. “You’re not sick of me yet, are you?”

You suddenly chuckled, shaking your head as you wiped your tears away. “Anything but.”

“Then there’s nothing to worry about, okay?” You nodded, tucking your crimson lips inward, disappearing into your mouth as if you were ridding yourself of speech for his sake. “Let this Christmas be this Christmas.”

“Okay.”

“And then we’ll get super cross-faded tomorrow night and then we’ll get cross-faded on New Year’s—” A watery laugh rippled through you, piercing the air and his heart. Finally, his favorite sound. “Then we’ll just keep going and figure shit out along the way. Sound cool?”

“Yeah. Sounds cool.”

Eddie didn’t know what to do next, refusing to think before he enveloped you in a tight hug. Your arms quickly squeezed him back, exchanging heartbeats under thick sweaters.

“You know what?” Eddie asked, resting his chin on your head. “I think you’ve earned a good holiday movie.”

“Which is?” you asked, voice muffled in his shirt.

The edges of Eddie’s lips quirked up as he said, “When Harry Met Sally.”

[tommykinard6]

Buddie fans, my loves, come have a seat for a moment.

I want to have a chat, from a long time Buddie lover to you, whether you’re new or have been here a long time.

It’s okay.

I’ve been in the trenches with you. I’ve been pulling for Buck and Eddie to get together for years. I haven’t given up, even as I’ve seen other fans leave because they lost hope. I don’t blame them. The Buddie section of the fandom has been powerful and beautiful and all consuming. We’ve gone seven seasons and up until this point, not one of the two men in question was even confirmed to be queer.

But we all need to take a moment and breathe. That’s it. Stop doom scrolling for a moment and breathe in.

Good. Now hold for a moment.

And breathe out.

I’m going to get real here, alright? And you might not like everything I say and that’s ok.

We need to stop being a problem. Stay with me. I’m not saying we need to stop shipping Eddie and Buck. Far from it. I will love that ship forever. I’m not saying we need to stop our fanfics or fanart or our love for these two. Our feelings are valid. Many of us have been in love with these two for a long time. The Buckley-Diaz family is a strong unit.

Our feelings are valid and we feel what we feel. But our reactions are utterly and entirely our own responsibility.

We need to stop the bullying.

Let’s face it, many Buddie fans have also been long time bullies in the fandom. Particularly in regard to the actresses who have played the female love interests in the past. Don’t get me wrong, aside from maybe Ali, I have disliked every love interest introduced. But have we not yet learned to separate actress from character? If we are going to dislike an actress, let’s do it for a valid reason. Marisol’s actress for example is problematic. But many fans have rained hell down upon any woman introduced.

I’ve noticed this issue for a long time. But now we’re dealing with the issue being even more widespread because of Buck/Tommy. Now fans are bullying each other. The fandom is divided, even in what is probably one of the better seasons we’ve gotten (in my opinion). I need you guys to stay with me here.

Buck is bi.

Let’s say that again. Evan Buckley is bisexual. A major character on a major show on a major network, previously a womanizer and still a very masculine figure, is queer.

This is monumental. This is amazing.

But so many of you are letting your feelings about Buddie get in the way of appreciating the progress we’ve made. Especially with the reintroduction of Tommy Kinard, Buck’s love interest.

Let’s clear up a couple of things, shall we? Tommy Kinard is not Sal DeLuca. He is not Captain Gerrard. While he was part of the old 118 and definitely was in the old boys club, not only is he not the major problem, but in most cases that he’s an asshole, it can be traced back to his own secret. It’s not great, sure. But let’s look at the facts. Chimney is friends and still keeps in touch with him. Hen appears to hold no animosity and was clearly comfortable with him. In Bobby Begins, they all are friends. And clearly, Tommy has undergone a massive self-growth period. You cannot try to back up your point with inaccurate facts.

People can change. People can also be forgiven. It’s the prerogative of those involved. Enough said.

“But TK6,” you may say, “Buck should be with Eddie! Tommy is a plot device!”

Let’s set aside instant gratification culture really quick and talk about storytelling. You cannot get everything you want when you want it. You also cannot have your cake and eat it too. Buck and Eddie, if both queer, were never going to come out at the same time. Do we really want that?! Because identity is messy. Self discovery is messy. Eddie has Catholic guilt. Buck has self esteem/worth issues. Life isn’t a fanfiction. The real possibility of their relationship surviving such a transition isn’t all that high. IF Eddie is canonically queer, he’s going to have a rougher path than Buck has had.

Also, everyone is a plot device. Let’s get real. If a character doesn’t move a plot along, what’s the point? YES, Tommy is there for a storyline. That doesn’t in anyway invalidate his existence or his presence in Buck’s life.

If you want an instant Buddie storyline, visit ao3! There are amazing stories on there.

Now let’s talk about Buck/Tommy, or TEvan.

I am a long time Buddie lover. I also proudly ship TEvan. Yes, those can coexist. I don’t often multiship, but it’s a beautiful thing. I want Buddie to be endgame, sure! But I’m also okay if TEvan lasts. If they end up being endgame, will I be disappointed about Buddie? Of course. I will also be thrilled because Buck and Tommy are a sweet couple and I’m here for it.

As a queer woman, I’m happy that Buck is bi. Multisexual representation is still sorely lacking. Male sexuality that lets a man keep his masculinity while being queer? Even more so. Just take a look at the ao3 tag. Buck is emasculated in many fics. That’s why I stopped reading a lot.

We have a ship here that includes two very masculine men, who are emotionally vulnerable and exploring something new. I understand ship disappointment. But the negativity is wild. We need to stop the bullying. We need to stop the cheating storylines. We need to stop making Tommy into an ab*s*r only because we apparently can’t handle a love interest being a good person.

At the end of the day, these are fictional characters. It’s a fictional show. But these are real people. All of us are sitting here behind our screens with real feelings. We need to stop.

Buddie may one day happen. And maybe they won’t. TEvan might be endgame. They might not be. Tis the way of 9-1-1. It’s exciting, isn’t it? Waiting for something new and exciting. It was starting to get a little stagnant.

As a queer person, I’m not trying to gatekeep anyone. However, we cannot sit here and say “stop queerbaiting us!!!!” (They weren’t, we’ve always had queer representation on 9-1-1) “give us more representation” and then when they give it to us say, “NO! Not that way!”

If it was about the representation, it being Eddie or Tommy would matter a lot less.

So if you are someone using representation to shield yourself, kindly just be honest with yourself and everyone else.

In the words of our Lady and Savior Taylor Swift, “You need to calm down”.

Now, back off into the world of scrolling you go, my lovelies. Remember, keep an open mind and breathe. At the end of the day, it’s a show. But I for one will happily wait for every episode because I’m loving this.