Chapter Text
The very first time Tommy saw his daughter do magic was a few days after her tenth birthday. Sparks flew out of her fingertips, hit the pan where Tommy was cooking eggs, and ricocheted to hit a cupboard where it left a dark scorch mark. At least, it didn’t catch on fire. Tommy turned off the stove.
“Daddy, I’m—”
“You have magic,” Tommy said and laughed.
This was not Tommy’s first encounter with magic. Being a first responder meant dealing with plenty of calls that revolved around magic gone wrong, but he’d never personally known anyone with magic. Through the LAFD grapevine, Tommy had heard that after he transferred out of the 118, his replacement had magic. There were quite a few first responders with magic which worked to the benefit of the department. Tommy had never been lucky enough to work with a magic user.
Magic tended to run in families and Tommy’s had not a lick of it. It had been a point of contention for Tommy growing up, but one he’d soon gotten over because at least it was one less thing for his father to hate him for. Still, for a long time, Tommy had wished that he had magic. A part of him had even wondered if magic would solve the problem of how his eyes always became trained on the boys rather than the girls in his class.
“I…I do,” Bea said.
“You do,” Tommy said, the shock setting in.
What was he supposed to do? How was he supposed to help Bea? Tommy had been on the side of calls about kids with newly discovered powers and the havoc that they could create.
“What…what do we do?” Bea asked, nervously glancing at her hands.
Tommy couldn’t freak out is what he couldn’t do. “Hey,” he said, “you’ve had magic this whole time and everything’s been okay, right?”
Bea gave him a shaky nod.
“So, just take a breath and we’ll figure this out. I think I know someone that can help.”
Or at least point him in the direction of someone that could help. Tommy was sure if he took to the internet he would find a resource or two, but that made him a little wary. He also didn’t want to say anything to Bea’s school before he had to. He wasn’t completely sure, but it was possible Bea might have to switch schools. It was lucky they still had about a month left until class started up again.
He pulled his phone out and scrolled a bit to get to the right number. The last time he’d spoken to Chimney, it had been Chim calling in a favor to do a water drop. They’d gotten together a few days after that and Tommy had gotten filled in on how Chim had wound up on medical leave. They’d made a few plans to have drinks after that, but it just never panned out. Between their jobs and Tommy having a kid there just wasn’t any time. Since then, Chim sent a meme here or there and Tommy responded in kind.
Tommy hit call and didn’t have to wait too long for Chim to pick up.
“Well well well,” Chim said. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Tommy could hear the background noise of the station.
“Hey, Howie,” Tommy said. “Is this a good time?”
“Yup. Kinda…well, I shouldn’t say should I because that would cut this short? Anyway, what can I do for you, Tommy?”
Tommy chuckled. “I could be calling just to say hi.”
“But you’re not.”
“No. I, uh, Bea just used magic for the first time five minutes ago.”
Tommy still could hardly believe it. How had he not known that his kid had magic?
“What? That’s amazing!” Chim said and then after a pause. “So you’re freaking out?”
Tommy shot Bea a smile. “I mean, trying not to. I, uh, I think we’re going to need some help.”
Tommy had always hated asking for help. It was just a part of him and if anyone took the time to talk to any of the therapists he’d seen over the years, they would probably pinpoint the reason as Tommy’s father. Knowing the reason didn’t change how difficult Tommy had always found it to admit that he couldn’t do everything himself. If it wasn’t for Bea…well, Bea had changed things in so many respects. For Bea, Tommy would do anything. He would make himself uncomfortable. He would take any injury and any hurt if only it would make her happy. So, for her he would ask for help.
“And I know the perfect person,” Chim said. “Should I say people. Last time we talked about Maddie, I didn’t mention she’s a witch.”
“Oh. Wow,” Tommy said. “So then your daughter has magic too?”
Chim laughed. “She absolutely does. I’m surrounded by magic users. Buck, her brother, works at the 118. Hey, you should come by the station and meet him.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I’ll let Bobby know to expect two more for lunch.”
Bobby’s cooking was some kind of magic on its own. Despite the number of years that had passed since Tommy had been at the 118 and gotten to enjoy Bobby’s cooking, Tommy did still miss it. No one at Harbor bothered to cook, so if they ate together at all it was because they all ordered out. If Tommy wasn’t already cooking at home for his kid and bringing in left overs, he’d probably be racking up a ridiculous bill on take out.
“Thanks, man, we really owe you,” Tommy said.
Howie chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Bea. Years. I’ll just add it to the list and cash in later.”
“Anything you need, Chim. Anytime. I’m a call away. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
-
A flick of Buck’s wrist sent the cutlery over to the table, each set settling down at each spot. The plates went next.
“Don’t forget to add two more,” Bobby said behind him, barely glancing up.
Buck nodded. How could Buck forget? He’d been curious when Chim stepped away to take a call and then when the call was over, Chim had asked Buck if he’d be willing to help his friend Tommy’s daughter. She had used magic for the first time and her father, non-magical as he was, was out of his depth. Buck had to imagine that the girl’s mother had been a witch and that she wasn’t in the picture for one reason or another, but Chim hadn’t offered any more information. Buck was glad to help and if he couldn’t, then Maddie was another option.
He was finishing setting the table when he heard Chim’s voice carry from downstairs, mixed with a smooth male voice. Hen’s voice joined a moment later and then they were all walking up the stairs and Buck, unable to help himself, walked to the banister to get a look.
Buck caught sight of Tommy. He was smiling at something Chim had just said, eyes crinkled. Buck missed how he responded, but Chim laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. Tommy was tall and he was built. Did he ever leave the gym? What did he dead lift and did he have pointers for Buck’s own work out routine? Buck was more than a little captivated as he took him in.
His attention was taken, however, when a blond little girl appeared at the top of the stairs.
“Are you daddy’s friend’s magic friend?” She asked, cutely furrowing her brow.
“If I understood that correctly, I am,” Buck said with a chuckle. “I’m a witch. And I take it you’re the one that did magic for the first time today?”
“Yes,” she said, eyes wide as if the surprise had not worn off.
Oh. She hadn’t even known it was a possibility. That made things curious.
“Congratulations,” Buck said. “It’s really cool, right?”
She gave a quick nod and then frowned. “Wait, aren’t all witches supposed to be girls? Wouldn’t you be a wizard or a warlock?”
“Uh. No,” Buck said. “All three exist, but they’re not interchangeable. Witches are born with magic. Warlocks make deals to get their powers. Wizards are…well, their power is different. Wizards are rare. They control the elements. Witches can’t do that.”
It wasn’t as simple as that, but it was as much as Buck could say, especially to a kid. How did you explain demon deals to a kid?
She stared him. “Oh,” she said.
“We’re starting lessons early,” Chim said, appearing at the top of the stairs followed by Tommy.
“Bea, don’t bother anyone,” Tommy said.
“Daddy,” Bea said, turning towards him like a sunflower would to the sun.
Buck looked in Tommy’s direction as well and got caught up in seeing Tommy look at his daughter. There was so much love there, Buck could tell that immediately. The other thing that he noticed was that they didn’t really look all that much alike. He had dark hair that seemed quite a bit curly. She had reddish blond straight hair. His eyes were blue. Hers were light brown. Did she take after her mom in everything including having magic?
He missed the short exchange between the father and daughter, but then a hand was pushed out towards Buck and Buck took grasp of it. He felt a zing the moment their fingers brushed together. Tommy’s hand was big. Strong. Callused. Warm. Buck didn’t want to let go.
“Hi. I’m Tommy.”
“Evan,” Buck said, releasing a breath he hadn’t known he was holding. “Uh. Buck. Buckley.”
Tommy’s lips quirked into a smile. “Hi, Evan uh Buck Buckley.”
“Evan,” Buck said. “You can…you can call me Evan.”
He liked the way it sounded when Tommy said it. It felt right. It hadn’t felt right in ages, not since he’d started going by Buck at the academy. Buck could feel Hen and Chim staring at him. He felt even Bobby’s eyes on the back of his head. Buck didn’t care. He could only look at Tommy. Oh, he had a cleft on his chin. His teeth were straight and so blindingly white. His eyes were kind and ocean blue. There was a dark curl at the top of his head and Buck wanted to touch it. He realized, then, that he wouldn’t have been able to with his dominant hand even if he wanted to because he was still holding Tommy’s hand.
“Evan it is,” Tommy said with a smile.
“Good,” Buck said, letting his hand go. Had Tommy realized how long they’d held hands?
“Food’s ready,” Bobby said. “Buck, you want to—” Bobby wiggled his fingers.
Buck rolled his eyes, but he waved his hand and the salad plate followed by the pasta bowl and the garlic bread floated over to the table, settling down in the center.
“Woah,” Bea said. “Daddy did you see? That’s so cool.”
-
Evan took what had once been Tommy’s usual seat, but Tommy didn’t mind, not when he sat across from him with Bea at Evan’s side, asking questions that Tommy hoped wouldn’t irritate or discourage Evan from helping them. With Evan distracted, Tommy could really take him in.
Entering the station felt like going back in time a little. Nothing had changed. Tommy had been such a different person back at the start of his career with LAFD. The 118 was supposed to be a fresh start after the Army and instead, he’d fallen right back into a self-created cage. A closet, some might say. He’d also been a very different person when he left. Open about who he was and a father.
Getting to see Hen and Chim again felt a bit dreamlike, but he hugged them both and Bea preened under their attention even while keeping close to Tommy out of shyness. It had been years since they’d been around each other and Bea probably didn’t even remember. Tommy really should have kept in closer contact with them both, but their lives were all complicated and busy and they weren’t tied together by working side by side anymore. It didn’t mean he hadn’t missed them.
Tommy hadn’t expected Evan.
Why hadn’t Chim or Hen warned him that Evan was a walking representation of Tommy’s type. He was downright gorgeous. Add him being kind to Tommy’s daughter. Tommy was sold. He was also in so much trouble. What were the rules about crushing on the guy that was going to be Bea’s magic tutor?
Evan threw him a smile and then he turned back to Bea, explaining something about magic. Yup, definitely in so much trouble. God, was he adorable. There was a birthmark over one of Evan’s eyebrows and the pink seemed to match perfectly with the color of his plump lips. Tommy’s imagination could go a little wild if he let it.
“You didn’t even have to ask him for help,” Hen said with a grin. “Buck’s always a hit with kids being kind of like a big kid himself.”
Evan made a garlic bread float over to Bea.
“Is that all you do?” Bea asked. “Make things float?”
Evan laughed. “No. No.”
“He’s just lazy,” Chim said.
Evan sent the garlic bread to Chim and hit him on the forehead with it.
“Rude,” Chim said, but he grabbed it out of the air and took a bite.
“I was too lazy to reach over and do it with my finger.”
“No more floating food,” Bobby said, but he was smiling.
“Table manners,” Hen added somewhat pointedly.
Tommy shot her a grateful look. He really didn’t want Bea to float her food around in his kitchen. She wouldn’t have nearly Evan’s control and there was no telling what messes might come from that and Tommy didn’t have magic to help him clean them up.
“Sorry,” Evan said, his cheeks pinking up a little.
It made him look glorious. Tommy had always understood the appeal that men in uniform had for people, but that had never been as obvious to him as it was when it came to Evan. He filled out his uniform well and Tommy had no doubt that he would look even better in turnouts. Tommy didn’t want to let his mind wander to what he might look like without anything at all.
Pushing all of those thoughts away, Tommy focused instead on the others. He got caught up with Hen, Chim, and Bobby as they ate. He heard the latest stories and found out that Chim was engaged to Evan’s sister. Hen filled him in on how Denny and Karen were doing. Bobby talked about the cruise he was going to take his wife on after postponing it the last time they’d tried to go. Hen was apparently set to act as Captain while Bobby was gone which Tommy thought was apt.
Evan and Bea talked to each other sort of in their own little world. Bea had many questions and Evan seemed to have many of the answers. Although Bea was a friendly kid that got along with most people, she could also be shy and reticent, that was not apparent when it came to how she was acting around Evan. Maybe it was because of the magic they both shared, but it could have also just been Evan. Tommy couldn’t really blame her.
When everyone was done eating, Hen and Chim began clearing the table. Bobby excused himself to do paperwork and somehow, he was left at the table with Evan and Bea. It almost seemed orchestrated.
“So,” Evan said, looking towards Tommy, “you didn’t expect your daughter to have magic?”
“Not at all,” Tommy said.
“No one in your family has magic?”
“No, but—”
“I’m adopted,” Bea said, cutting Tommy off.
It was a fact that Bea had always enjoyed announcing when someone didn’t put that together. Tommy would have thought that Chim or Hen or even Bobby would have filled Evan in. Clearly, they hadn’t.
“Oh,” Evan said. “That’s…I didn’t expect that. So you and her mom, neither of you—”
Bea carried right on. “My bio-mom left me at the station.” Bea paused, frowned. Turned right to Tommy. “Daddy, this station?”
“Yes,” Tommy said. “This station. It’s just me and Bea.”
Evan seemed to be at a loss of words, Tommy had no idea why. Was he somehow opposed to adoption? Or was it something else? Did he have something against single fathers?
“Someone dropped her off in the baby box?” Evan asked.
Tommy nodded. It had happened sometime around midnight. It had been a relatively quiet night as far as calls went and Tommy had been tossing and turning in his bunk, so instead of lying there counting sheep, he’d gotten out of bed and gone up to the loft, set on preparing himself an herbal tea that might encourage some sleep.
He knew it was a lost cause, but it gave him something to do. So he was the one awake when the baby box alarm went off and he was the one that opened it and found the swaddled little bundle. It had been an immediate connection, right from the moment Tommy had her in his arms. Hen had known it too, he remembered, and it hadn’t been easy as a single man to get approved to foster and adopt, but Tommy had jumped through every hoop. He’d filled out every form. And then, one day, Tommy had finally been able to take her home.
“Why is Buck making that face?” Hen asked.
Evan shook himself. “I’m just surprised.”
“About what?” Tommy asked.
Evan pressed his lips together, but then he smiled. “I just thought she was biologically yours is all.”
“We look nothing alike,” Tommy said with a chuckle.
Evan shrugged. Bea pulled at her hair. Strawberry blond was what everyone called it and it was straight as anything. Her eyes were hazel. Tommy had never begrudged that they didn’t share any features. It meant that they also didn’t share the things that Tommy hated about himself and anyway, they were similar in other ways.
“Hey, Bea, you want a brownie?” Hen asked.
Bea looked reluctant to leave as if Evan might disappear with all his magical knowledge if she didn’t stick around.
“Go on,” Evan said. “I made them last night. They have a little magic in them. I should talk to your dad about the boring stuff anyway.”
“Magic brownies?” Tommy said, warily.
Evan shrugged. “Nothing that will harm her. Don’t worry.”
As soon as Bea left the table, clearly curious about the brownies, Evan lifted his hands above his head. He said something under his breath and something shimmered around them.
“What—”
“She won’t hear us. None of them will,” Evan said and then pursed his lips. “It’s really admirable what you did, adopting her. It’s just, witches aren’t known for giving up their kids especially like this. It threw me off, hearing that.”
“Oh,” Tommy said. “Maybe her mom wasn’t a witch?”
Evan nodded. “Yeah, maybe. I’m just surprised that the hospital didn’t catch her magic.”
“What do you mean?” Tommy asked, frowning. He felt something like panic rising.
“You’re non-magical, right? So it’s strange that you were allowed to adopt her when her magic should have come up during her first check up. They always check for that, Tommy, and I’m not saying the system is right or that you shouldn’t have been allowed to adopt her, it’s just odd. It’s precautionary because kids have no control over their powers and it’s a myth that magical kids can’t access their magic young. They can. My niece has been doing all kinds of little things since she was one. So, usually, they try to find adoptive parents that have magic if they detect any magic in a kid.”
Tommy had known none of that and no one had even tried to warn him that might be the case? Had someone not tested her for magic way back when? Tommy had no idea. He also wondered if Bea had ever shown her magic before and he’d missed it because he didn’t know to look for it? Had he done a disservice to her and her magic by not being magical himself?
Evan seemed to catch on to his thoughts because he reached over and placed a hand on his forearm. His touch was warm and gentle. It made his spiral of thoughts come to a stop.
“Hey, no. I’m just saying it’s unusual, but look at her, she’s happy and healthy and her magic is fine. It’s a part of her. She’s your daughter and I think she was well off for it. She’s a great kid and that’s mostly because of you.”
Something in Tommy unfurled and relaxed. “You’ll help us?”
“Of course,” Evan said as if that was ever in question. “She said she shot off sparks?”
“Yeah, scorched one of my kitchen cabinets.”
Evan smiled. “I think we’ll start with some precautions. I’ll have to spell your house.”
Tommy wasn’t sure what that would entail, but if it would keep Bea from damaging anything then he was all for it.
“Sure,” Tommy said. “What else?”
Evan listed a few things and a clipboard appeared in front of him, a pen began to write out a list without being touched. By the end of it, he’d invited Evan to stop by when his shift was over. They exchanged numbers and a part of Tommy wished it was for reasons other than to get Bea a magic teacher.