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burningcheese-merchant · 26 days ago

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Finally made a BurningCheese chart. I can finally die now /j

More detailed explanations under cut. I admit that my placements are a liiiiiiiiiittle all over the place because I ship BurningCheese a bunch of different ways, but for the most part it's really the enemies to lovers + redemption arc from my main canon influencing my thoughts here

Tropes: idk if this really needs much elaboration. Enemies to Lovers + Soulmates + Forbidden Love (the hero/villain type) + God Couple + Narrative/Character Foils + Golden Cheese has some tsundere tendencies at points + Burning Spice's yandere tendencies + Tall and Short + idk the exact names of all the tropes man lol. These are probably the most important ones

Age Difference: who actually knows lol. They're both old coots, that's the gist of it. They're so old that they both knew the Burger King when he was a prince. They're so old their birth certificates already expired. They're so old that if you told them to act their age, they'd keel over and die on the spot. Old people being madly in love even after so many years is so cute 😭

Height Difference: If your Burning Spice does not have to duck when walking through doorways then you're imagining him wrong. Hell I STILL might've made him too short. Golden Cheese must barely reach his shoulder while standing and fit snugly in his lap while sitting, It Is Decreed (I know 5'7" isn't THAT short, I'm just leaning into the short queen jokes)

Trust Lvl: This was a little tough for me because I was juggling multiple factors at once. I gave BS 100% trust because I think, no matter what, he genuinely would trust her. To love him, to be loyal, to be there when he needs her, to beat his ass black and blue when necessary, to listen to what he has to say about things. He's giving his whole entire self to her without hesitation or regrets. / There's that bit of the bar still empty for Golden Cheese because, even when she warms up to him (and she never once doubts his love for her, that's not the issue), she's not entirely sure of what he'll do. For a long while yet, some part of her will worry that he will turn on her and resume his reign of terror at any moment. She needs time and consistency. Proof that he will choose her over destruction if and when pushed. When he's fully able to do that, THEN she trusts him fully. (Outside of the main canon, it remains a bit empty (even LOWER in some instances) bc he very much remains evil and she cannot abide by that)

Jealousy Lvl: Burning Spice is jealous and possessive but not overly so. He doesn't really need to be; he knows his little bird is loyal. But she's a beautiful woman in more ways than one, and he's far from the only person to notice that. So he gets mad when he catches anyone making goo-goo eyes at her, or even flirting if they somehow have the gumption. He doesn't harm them anymore but he will step in and make some show of dominance, like grabbing her and pulling her into a kiss or scooping her up in his arms. Something to pointedly demonstrate that she is HIS and no one else's. / Golden Cheese is very confident and secure; she knows her worth and she knows and trusts that Burning Spice would never stray. But... in the end, she's still Golden Cheese. She's still greedy. She still doesn't want anyone coveting what is hers, no matter what. It's practically a compulsion at this point. So in those (thankfully rare) moments where some floozy who's forgotten her place tries to make a move on HER man, then she's more than happy to correct her. (The encounter ends with Spice covered in kiss marks (and super happy) and the wannabe homewrecker in tears because Golden can be a MEAN girl when she tries)

Horny Lvl: I might've made a mistake not marking Spice's a little bit higher because he's definitely a horndog lol. Of course he's not completely fucking bonkers but he does often struggle to keep his hands off of his bird wife. Physical touch is his main love language anyway + goddamn it she's gorgeous she's everything he ever wanted he NEEDS HER- / Golden Cheese very much enjoys sex and thinks their sex life is perfect, but she's not as needy as him. Like, she doesn't DIE for it unless it's been too long. She has self-control/discipline and other things to think about lol (there's actually a nsfw ship chart that I've thought about filling out and posting, but idk if I should. I have a billion headcanons for them, sfw and nsfw. I'm just nervous abt the latter because I feel kind of embarrassed lol. I usually save the freaky stuff for AO3)

Clingy Lvl: Again, physical touch is Burning Spice's main love language. That combined with his time in prison (millennia in isolation) and Golden Cheese being his literal soulmate makes for a good deal of separation anxiety lol. He will give her space if she really pushes, and of course he has things he wants to do on his own time and she can't always be around. But... no matter what, at the end of the day, he NEEDS her back in his arms. He gets bored and lonely really fast without her. She makes his day better just being near him. He needs to touch her, hold her, hear her voice, run his hands through her wings, taste those pretty lips again... / With all of the hardship she's endured in her life, Golden Cheese has developed a certain tolerance for solitude. Of course she'd rather have company, including his, but if push comes to shove, she can handle being alone. She's fiercely independent in many aspects of her life. Her time with Burning Spice can wait if something more important comes up. She won't die without him. (But she'll certainly miss him)

How It Happens: come on man, you played the game, didn't you? BS falling head over heels on sight, feelings only deepening with time and closeness, and him doing everything in his power to be near her as often as possible? For sure. Golden Cheese taking 10000 years to warm up to him, slowly starting to see the halfway decent man buried deep down beneath the blackened soil of his heart, starting to care for him and want him by her side without even realizing it at first, and trying to deny it when she finally does realize what's happening? Definitely

Relationship Attitude: Obviously they're both very much in love and devoted to each other, but Golden Cheese dials it back a bit in public - just for the sake of appearances, really. She's the queen; she can't go about acting like a lovestruck schoolgirl, she has a reputation to uphold. Burning Spice, on the other hand, absolutely does not give a fuck about what anyone has to say about anything at all. He WILL trap his little bird in a warm embrace and he WILL smother her with kisses and fuck whoever is standing there watching, they can fuck off and mind their own business

First to Confess: He may not have said the exact words "I love you" but good Lord he may as well have with how he behaves in episode 6 lmao. 555-COME-ON-NOW (and omg he is SO fucking happy she eventually says it back)

First to Kiss: Spice. Duh lol. Honestly the only reason he didn't kiss her during eps 5 and 6 is because Devsis are a bunch of cowards

First to Apologize: Another tough one bc they're both very proud/stubborn and would probably demand the other apologize before they do. But because Golden Cheese is a hero at her core, I think it's a bit more likely that she'd say it first. Usually.

Initiates Contact: Spice all the way. He even initiated when they first met lol. He's always the one seeking her out, starting conversations, getting those big strong arms of his around her. Not that she never initiates, he just does it a lot more

Spoils the Other: In total honesty I think they both spoil the other, just in different ways. Golden Cheese with food and trinkets and general pampering, Burning Spice with that physical affection of his. Plenty of flirting and compliments from both. But Goldie is Goldie so of course she wins lol. As if she wouldn't lavish her lover with the finest of everything all the time

Wakes Up First: As queen, Golden Cheese has long since grown accustomed to rising bright and early to attend to her kingdom and subjects. "Early bird gets the cheese" and all that. Burning Spice sleeps like the dead and always wakes up after her (usually to grumble about her getting up bc he doesn't want her to. He tries to hold her hostage in bed almost every morning)

Does the Cooking: Believe it or not, Burning Spice is actually a pretty good chef (I headcanon him as such haha). Golden Cheese really loves the food he makes (he's best with food from his own culture, but he does a good job with other things too) and she's used to other people cooking for her (she's pretty basic at it tbh. She doesn't burn water like Hollyberry but she can't do much) so hubby making her good food? Yes please

Does the Housework: I cannot imagine Golden Cheese NOT being a bit of a neat freak. Why wouldn't she want everything looking pristine 24/7, to fit her immaculate visions of an immaculate, prosperous land? Burning Spice is Burning Spice, he would sleep on the fucking floor and in piles of trash and dirty clothes (and probably has tbh) if left alone, he is literally Destruction why would he clean anything. He gets pissy when he sweeps the floor with a broom for 5 seconds he ain't doing no housework unless forced to (which he often is)

Does the Talking: Was going to leave just Goldie but tbh I don't see Spice just standing there while she talks. He'd want to talk himself. He'd want to participate. He's not shy, he's no introvert. They're both asserting themselves in conversations for sure

The More Popular: I chose to define "popular" as "regarded with affection and respect by many", thus handing it to Goldie. Spice has his soldiers and they are numerous, but they obey him only out of fear. Golden is genuinely loved and listened to. (Even post-redemption, people just gravitate to her more lol. Just how it is)

The Designated Driver: Burning Spice behind the wheel is a doomsday scenario. He has been preemptively banned from driving to prevent death and property damage and war crimes. Fine, whatever, he'd rather walk. He doesn't need this newfangled contraption no matter how cool it is. Come on let him drive a monster truck 200 mph through concrete walls :(

The Better Caregiver: I'm certain they'd both take care of each other when sick or injured. Doubly so since both would probably balk at being fussed over lol. (I know Golden has her attendants and likes being pampered but I feel like it would just hit different with Spice, you know?) They're both proud and stubborn and need to appear strong all the time... But when the shoe is on the other foot, they'd both do whatever they can for the other regardless of their protests. (Especially true on Spice's part when Golden is pregnant with their kids, he goes above and beyond for her both times)

The Overprotective One: This is more so when Golden is pregnant tbh. Any other time, they don't really worry much about each other's safety as they're very confident in each other's strength and fighting capabilities ("I'm not locked in here with you, you're locked in here with me"). When she's pregnant, Spice goes full Protective Husband/Papa Bear mode and both worships the ground she walks on and fusses over he constantly, almost treating her like a porcelain doll. Her needs and wants are always met immediately, but he basically becomes her second shadow and is even hostile to other people who interact with her. It's both sweet and frustrating

The Planner: Golden Cheese planned a whole ass highly detailed virtual reality where her subjects could live again. Burning Spice forsook planning and anything like it in his descent into villainy as he couldn't bring himself to care about it anymore. Destruction doesn't need a plan. So yeah, Golden is the planner for sure. Best Spice would do is maybe try to plan dates because he wants to please/impress her

"Excuse me, they asked for no pickles": Spice just likes watching Golden go and firmly correct people lol. It's funny and hot. He doesn't even really care that the pickles are there, he just loves her assertiveness

Big Spoon VS Little Spoon: Was going to leave Spice on Big Spoon end and Golden on Little Spoon end but tbh, they'd split it. Spice is Big Spoon more often than not but Golden would definitely be Big Spoon too. They holdin each othah

Early Bird VS Revenge Procrastination: refer to "Wakes Up First". Golden has a kingdom to run, can't sleep in. Spice technically does too but whatever they're tough they can do shit on their own, he wants to lay in bed with his bird wife go away

Tidy VS Chaotic: Refer to "does the housework". Golden Cheese cares about appearances and functionality, she wants her kingdom and living space clean and beautiful and the envy of the world. Burning Spice is Burning Spice

Screams Over Bugs VS Kills/Removes Bugs: I don't think Golden would do either tbh. Probably just shoo the bug away. Spice is squashing that fucker though, even post-redemption (old habits die hard)

Lends Clothes VS Borrows Clothes: Spice doesn't really have too many clothes to lend tbh (too big + not really her style). She mostly nabs any jewelry he has lol. He doesn't mind, he actually really adores that she'll wear his things. He sees it as a show of pride in their relationship. (Shhh... Sometimes, when they've been apart for a long time and his absence feels particularly painful, she'll grab one of his dhotis and wrap herself up in it. Bring it to her face, breathe in his scent. Revel in its softness. Don't tell anyone)

Takes Hints VS Clueless: ngl as forward as Spice is with Golden, I'm not sure he'd notice or care if anyone else flirted with him. He just doesn't seem like the type to have ever cared about that sort of thing, both as Herald and as Beast. Too wrapped up in other ideas and pursuits (and in the event that he actually caught on to someone hitting on him, Herald would've politely turned them down and Beast would viciously mock them and probably kill them). Like, Golden actually is the one person that ever caught his eye. And she's got more relationship experience under her belt and knows how to be subtle, so there actually are times when she says or does something and it goes over his head (it's cute and funny sometimes and frustrating others)

Romantic VS Casual: They're certainly not casual but I think Golden would put more effort into being romantic just as a consequence of who she is. That "wanting to pamper and adore my lover to the fullest extent" thing. Spice didn't care about love or romance before her, and was just never really a romantic type. He tries to pick it up more just for her. But what he perceives to be romantic doesn't always align with "tradition" (ex: he thinks their brutal fights are hot/romantic). He does have some charm, he can be smooth, he can do genuinely sweet and romantic things. But it's something he learns and refines over time

Decisive VS Indecisive (I FORGOT THIS ONE FUCK): They're both pretty decisive and firm in their decisions. What makes Golden hesitate is specifically her relationship and interactions with Spice. Grappling with the reality of her feelings and attachment and their relationship. Wondering if he'll turn on her when she lets her guard down. Struggling with the morality of it all. Fearing rejection to a small degree maybe. (I honestly like the concept of the Beasts and Ancients bringing things out of each other that no one else can or has. Like how Shadow Milk makes Pure Vanilla genuinely angry, or Burning Spice makes Golden Cheese doubt herself and her choices. I want them all keeping each other on their toes. Challenging each other. Making each other upset when they're happy and happy when they're upset. You know what I mean?)

Mature VS Playful: I think they're both equally playful with each other tbh. Something they're both on the same level with. Lots of banter (I love writing their back-and-forths, imo they'd keep up with each other so well), lighthearted sarcasm and jabs and jokes, some play fighting/roughhousing. They have fun with each other

Straightforward VS Vague: Spice has been telling Golden things to her face from minute 1. Just admitting all of his shit to her. Spilling his spaghetti. He likes her, he wants her, they're going to be together forever. Point blank period.

Confident VS Shy: Of course they're both super confident, do I have to elaborate? Lol

Ray of Sunshine VS Done™️: Golden may not be on the same level as Pure Vanilla (nobody is lol) but even so, all things considered, she seems like a relatively happy person. Still finds joy in life and things. She's not cold or stoic or anything like that. Spice... I probably should've moved him further to the right tbh. I just always think of "done" as "visibly tired" and I let that influence his placement. He IS tired, he IS done, it just presents differently. So forgive me and imagine his little Soul Jam there being significantly closer to the end of the right side please and thank you

Realistic VS Idealistic: dude come on lol. The game spells it out for us. Spice is a cruel, bloodthirsty nihilist who goes out of his way to take down things that make people happy. Who virulently denies the value of life and humanity and insists that everything and everyone are only destined to become dust, and any attempt to stop or deny this is futile and pathetic. He's cynical, pessimistic, doesn't do "hope" or ideals anymore. Golden, on the other hand, believes so strongly in her own dreams and ideals that she locked herself away in a false reality just so she could "revive" her kingdom. And when she woke, she continued dedicating herself to finding a way to bring them all back. She is hope and idealism incarnate, to the point of straight up delusion. They're both extremes that mirror each other

Would Die for Attention VS Independent: Look at all the crazy shit Spice has done so Golden would pay attention to him lol. He needs the pretty cheese lady to notice him and talk to him and touch him and beat him up. Please. Pretty please (not as pretty as her though, nothing is). Please they're soulmates she has to. He won't immediately burst into flames if she's not next to him 24/7, but he's happier with her than without. He starts itching when they're apart for too long (and it doesn't take all THAT long tbh). As said before, Golden likes and wants his company but she's always been a fiercely independent woman and can handle solitude

Tense VS Easygoing: wasn't super sure what to do for this one. Like idk what "tense" is supposed to mean here. I think Golden is relatively normal about everything, doesn't worry about cheating or anything else really. I attribute that little bit of tenseness in Spice to his jealousy and clinginess. But otherwise he's probably fine

Head VS Heart: neither of them are stupid, far from it, but it's clear that they both allow emotion to govern their actions more than logic lol. No matter how he may claim to have destroyed his own emotions to rid himself of attachment, it's clear that Burning Spice still feels things, in general but ESPECIALLY for/about her. It's all heart when it comes to her. No logic, no laws, no rules, just him and her and THEM. Just their connection, just their relationship. Golden Cheese may still abide by a somewhat stronger logical anchor, but even so, she's a "heart" girl. It's her heart that pushed her to make her fantasy world. It's her heart that makes her cling so hard to her treasures, despite logically knowing they're gone. It was her heart that saved her in episode 6, her thoughts and memories and love for her friends that made and still make her strong. And though logic fights a good fight with regards to her relationship with Spice, it's her heart that wins again in the end

#cookie run kingdom #burning spice cookie #golden cheese cookie #burningcheese #goldenspice #I'm sorry BS looks rough haha. getting a little better each time hopefully #“where is his shoulder armor” it got banished to the shadow realm. stop asking questions now #(i have a really difficult time drawing his shoulder armor 😅 give me a bit of grace there please)#anyway i hope my explanations made sense. sorry if they don't #i have so many thoughts about these two that they sometimes get scrambled haha #gonna do a pitayafire chart next. and might do the other beast x ancient pairs as well #again I regret Spice's placement on the “Ray of Sunshine VS Done” line. he should be way further right #he IS “done” he just doesn't show it in a way you'd expect. i had a big brain fart there that was my bad #also I hope you all like the little Soul Jams I drew them all myself and it was fun 👉👈

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buddie-buddie · 7 months ago

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Tommy stands in the middle of Evan’s loft, hands on his hips, trying— and failing— to suppress the grin tugging at his lips as he surveys the scene before him. There’s a twelve-foot tall animatronic skeleton in the middle of the room, surrounded by black and orange storage bins stacked with military precision, each meticulously labeled. Currently, Tommy’s standing beside a box labeled INDOOR COBWEBS (WHITE)– not to be confused with INDOOR SPIDERWEBS (WHITE)–and blinking up at the gigantic skeleton in front of him.

“His name is Napoleon,” Evan had said earlier, beaming like a proud parent. ��Napoleon Bone-parte.”

It was only a few minutes ago that Tommy had woken up from a post-shift nap to find Evan’s bed much emptier than it had been when he’d closed his eyes a few hours before. When he had fallen asleep, Evan had been right there beside him, curled up against Tommy’s chest, his warmth seeping into Tommy’s skin as they both drifted off, exhausted from their shifts. The steady rise and fall of Evan’s chest against his own had been the last thing Tommy remembered before sleep claimed him.

He had woken up with a quiet groan, shifting slightly as his hand reached instinctively for the empty space beside him. The emptiness beside him felt wrong. Tommy had gotten so used to waking up with Evan’s beside him, Evan's arm draped over his waist, the feel of his feet nudging against Tommy’s under the sheets. Tommy loved those moments, the quiet intimacy that lived in the heartbeats between sleep and wakefulness.

Tommy had shifted again, blinking sleepily at the cold, empty space beside him. A small frown tugged at his lips as he glanced around Evan’s bedroom, searching for some sign of him. But the silence was deafening, his absence was palpable, and the warmth that usually lingered when Evan left the bed had long since dissipated.

His absence was quickly explained when Tommy got out of bed and glanced over the railing of the loft and found himself face to face with Napoleon, standing tall in the middle of the living room like a bony, skeletal sentinel.

Tommy’s pretty sure it’s the closest he’s ever been to a heart attack.

Once his heart came back online and Evan finally stopped laughing, Tommy made his way downstairs, where he was formally introduced to Napoleon.

Napoleon, who Evan had hauled out of the storage closet on his balcony while Tommy was still sleeping, along with thirteen (yes, Tommy counted) storage bins of varying sizes, each with its own overly descriptive label on the side, written in Evan’s handwriting.

And if those labels weren’t enough, there’s also a print out of an itemized list of the box’s contents taped to each lid. And Evan does not have a printer, which means he either used the one in Bobby’s office or paid to have it all printed at Staples, and Tommy can’t decide which he loves more.

Evan stands in front of SKELETONS - FULL BODY ONLY, clipboard in hand, looking far too serious for someone staring into a box of plastic skeletons.

“Baby,” Tommy says, eyes flicking between Evan and the clipboard in his hand. “You sure we’re decorating for Halloween and not planning a military operation?”

The way Evan approaches Halloween— with the precision of a general preparing for battle and a checklist to match— is equal parts ridiculous and charming, and Tommy can’t help but poke fun. “Looks like you’ve got the tactical breakdown of a covert mission here.”

Evan glances up, eyebrows raised, his expression hovering between amusement and mock seriousness. “Hey, Halloween is a big deal,” he says, tapping the clipboard with a smirk that makes Tommy’s heart squeeze a little. “Besides, this is fun.”

There’s something endearing about the way Evan’s taking this so seriously, and Tommy can’t resist teasing him just a little more. “Ah, yes,” he says dryly. “Nothing says fun like a color-coded checklist.”

Evan shoots him a sidelong look, his lips twitching upward. “I’ll have you know this checklist is the product of years of trial and error.”

Tommy huffs a laugh, crossing his arms as he watches Evan move around the bins. “Somehow, I don’t doubt that.”

He leans against the counter, his eyes following Evan as he moves with a kind of focused intensity that’s impossible not to admire.

Evan sets the clipboard down, opening another bin with precise care, as if the entire operation depends on getting every cobweb and plastic spider just right. “Well, if we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it right. That’s the rule.”

Tommy smirks. “Your rule, you mean.”

“The only rule that matters.” Evan doesn’t look up from where he’s pulling a candle from one of the bins– with far more care than a $8 pumpkin spice candle from HomeGoods might otherwise call for.

Tommy watches as he places it on the kitchen island, replacing the one that usually sits beside the utensil crock in the middle of the granite. Once satisfied with its placement, he picks the clipboard back up and scribbles a checkmark with a quiet swoosh of his pen.

Tommy steps closer, the warmth of Evan’s presence drawing him in effortlessly. He glances at the clipboard over Evan’s shoulder, leaning in just enough to catch the scent of Evan’s aftershave. “Is there a section on proper cobweb placement?”

Without missing a beat, Evan flips to the next page. “Of course there is. Indoor or outdoor?”

“Indoor?” Tommy plays along, enjoying the rhythm they’ve fallen into, where teasing meets affection and everything just clicks.

Evan grabs a bin from the stack and pulls its lid off with a flourish, revealing enough fake cobwebs to cover Dracula’s mansion twice over. Certainly far more than his 1100-square foot loft could ever possibly need. Tommy raises an eyebrow, glancing at the bin like it might bite him. “You know, some people just throw some fake spiders in a corner and call it a day.”

“Amateurs, maybe.” Evan’s response is quick, but there’s a lightness in his voice, like he knows Tommy’s teasing but he doesn’t mind. There’s a flicker of amusement in his eyes as he starts unpacking the cobwebs with meticulous care, completely unfazed.

“You’re going to cobweb this place like it’s the set of a horror movie, aren’t you?”

“No,” Evan glances up, not missing a beat. “We’re going to cobweb this place like it’s the set of a horror movie.”

Tommy salutes. “Yes, sir.”

His fondness for Evan only grows as he watches him unroll the cobwebs with precision, like he’s handling some delicate operation rather than Halloween decor. Every move Evan makes is thoughtful, intentional. And while Tommy’s had his fun teasing him for how fastidious he is with all of this, here’s something about it that’s so Evan. And Tommy loves it.

There’s a lightness in the air as they move around each other, their small touches— Evan’s hand grazing Tommy’s arm as he moves past him, their shoulders knocking as they reach into the bin at the same time— it’s natural and unspoken, like they’ve been doing this forever. It’s a rhythm they’ve fallen into without even realizing it, the ease of being close, of sharing the space between them without any fuss.

Tommy reaches out without thinking, keeping the bin steady as Evan leans in to grab another tangled stretch of cobwebs, and Evan’s fingers brush against Tommy’s wrist, lingering for just a second longer than necessary. Neither of them acknowledges it, but the quiet intimacy lingers between them, woven into the banter and the easy smiles.

It’s the kind of comfort that makes everything feel lighter, like decorating for Halloween is just another excuse to be close. And maybe it is.

But Tommy certainly isn’t complaining.

“Spooky season only comes once a year,” Evan says, still fussing with the cobwebs. “Gotta make it count.”

Tommy leans in a little closer, eyes twinkling with amusement as he surveys the growing web of decor. “Oh, I’m counting alright. Counting how many fake spiders it’s gonna take before we’re overrun.”

Evan shoots him a playful glare, the kind that makes Tommy’s chest warm. “Just wait. You’ll appreciate it once the ambiance is perfect.”

Tommy chuckles, stepping back to give Evan space as he arranges another set of cobwebs. He folds his arms, leaning against the counter with a soft grin.

It’s more than just amusement, seeing Evan so focused and so serious about this. It’s fondness, plain and simple, for the way Evan throws himself into things, for the way he never does anything in halves. Doesn’t matter if it’s fighting fires or figuring out who he is or hanging polyester cobwebs from the banister with a surgeon’s precision under the watchful eye of his 12-foot skeleton. Evan pours every bit of himself into it, gives it his all.

Tommy watches him in quiet admiration, the way Evan’s brow furrows slightly as he steps back to assess the web placement, then leans forward again to make the tiniest adjustment. It’s that attention to detail, that determination to perfect even the smallest task, that makes Tommy’s heart feel a little fuller. It’s something he admires about Evan— the intensity with which he lives his life, the way he tackles everything head-on.

And it’s not just the decorations. It’s the way Evan approaches everything he does with a sense of purpose and care. It’s the kind of energy Tommy didn’t know he needed until Evan came into his life.

There’s a comfort in it, in knowing that when Evan commits, he does it wholeheartedly. It makes Tommy’s chest swell, his heart skip, this quiet admiration settling into something deeper, something he hasn’t fully put into words yet.

“Yeah,” Tommy says quietly, his grin softening as he watches Evan step back to admire his handiwork, tilting his head as he studies the cobwebs with a critical eye. “I’m already appreciating it.”

Evan looks over at him, catching the expression on Tommy’s face, and for a moment the teasing fades into something quieter, warmer. Evan’s lips quirk up in a small, knowing smile, and Tommy feels that familiar warmth settle into his chest, deeper and more certain than before. It’s the kind of warmth that makes the world outside seem distant, like it’s just the two of them in this space they’ve built together.

Evan steps closer, the clipboard forgotten as he reaches out to rest a hand on Tommy’s arm, fingers curling lightly around his sleeve. “You sure it’s the ambiance you’re appreciating?” he teases, but his voice is softer now, the humor laced with affection.

Tommy chuckles, his eyes never leaving Evan’s. “Maybe it’s the cobwebs,” he murmurs, stepping in until they’re just a breath apart.

“Maybe it’s Napoleon,” Evan hums, glancing at the towering skeleton behind them.

“Or maybe,” Tommy says, his voice dropping, “it’s the guy who’s way too serious about cobweb placement.”

“Oh yeah? Who’s that?”

Tommy grins. “The same one who named his 12-foot skeleton after the Emperor of France.”

“Emperor of the French,” Evan corrects.

Tommy blinks. “Isn’t that… the same thing?”

“Not exactly,” Evan says, eyes bright, his entire face lighting up in that way it always does when he’s gearing up to share a fact. Tommy watches fondly as Evan’s hands start gesturing, his excitement spilling into every word.

“‘Emperor of the French’ was a title Napoleon took to imply he ruled over people, not just the territory of France,” Evan continues, his voice picking up speed as he dives into the explanation.

Tommy can’t help the smile that spreads across his face as he listens. He’s heard Evan go off on tangents like this countless times, but it never gets old. The way Evan’s whole body seems to come alive when he’s in his element, the way he talks like he’s letting Tommy in on a secret— it makes Tommy feel like the luckiest guy in the world. For more reasons than one.

“He wanted it to be known that his power came from the will of the people, rather than just the land itself. It was a deliberate political move.”

Tommy stares at him for a moment, eyebrows raised. “So… you named your Halloween skeleton after a guy who was really into branding?”

“Our skeleton now,” Evan corrects, his voice firm but playful. “And yes, yes I did.”

Tommy blinks, momentarily caught off guard. The word our hangs in the air, settling in his chest in a way that’s both silly and surprisingly meaningful. It’s just a Halloween decoration— a ridiculously oversized plastic skeleton, for crying out loud— but hearing Evan claim it as theirs sends a warmth through him that’s hard to shake.

“Mhmmm,” Tommy hums. “Let me rephrase, then: The same one who named his 12-foot skeleton after the Emperor of the French.”

“Hmm, still not sure I know who you’re talking about,” Evan teases.

“The guy who has a designated Halloween clipboard,” Tommy says, nodding towards where Evan’s orange clipboard sits on the kitchen counter. “And a color-coded checklist.”

Evan huffs a laugh, but there’s no denying the way he leans in, his hand sliding up to rest on the back of Tommy’s neck. “Well,” he says, his voice quieter now. “If it works, it works.”

And in this moment— cobwebs half-strung, decorations still scattered around them, Napoleon's LED eyes staring daggers straight through him— Tommy knows it does work. Not just the decorations, not just the ambiance, but them.

He dips his head, brushing his lips softly against Evan’s, gentle and unhurried. When Evan kisses him back, Tommy feels it— a spark of something deeper, a quiet current that hums between them, binding them in a way that words never could. It’s as if everything unspoken, everything growing beneath the surface of their teasing and banter, is laid bare. The kiss is slow, deliberate, filled with a tenderness that leaves no room for doubt. It’s not just desire thrumming between them— it’s affection, warmth, the promise of something real.

Evan leans in closer, his lips warm and soft against Tommy’s, the kind of kiss that speaks more than words ever could. It’s patient, unhurried— as if they both know there’s no need to rush this thing unfolding between them. Tommy’s heart beats a little faster, but it’s not from nerves— it’s from the quiet certainty that with every touch, every shared breath, he’s falling more and more for Evan, further and further past the point of no return.

Evan’s hand lingers on the back of Tommy’s neck, his fingers threading gently through his hair, and his thumb brushing lightly against Tommy’s skin in a way that's equal parts grounding and electric. There’s no urgency, no rush— just the two of them, cocooned in a moment that feels like it belongs to them alone.

It's a moment he could live in forever.

It’s a kiss filled with quiet promises, the kind that tell Tommy that whatever this is, whatever they are, it’s real. It’s steady and strong, something he can trust, something that’s only just beginning but feels like it’s always been there, waiting for them to find it.

It’s real. And it’s easy.

And, much like the giant skeleton towering over them, it’s theirs.

also on ao3

#my writing #bucktommy #i was gonna write a 8x05 spec fic after the stills came out and then this happened instead #who am i to question the gods #evan buckley #tommy kinard #buck x tommy #kinley #kinkley #firepilot #the ally and the beast #bucktommy fic #911 #911 fic

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