Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 14

Scene: Eddie’s House, Several Weeks Later

The weeks following Eddie’s discharge from the hospital were a blur of recovery and adjustment. Buck remained a constant presence, helping Eddie with physical therapy, managing the household, and taking care of Christopher. With each passing day, Eddie grew stronger, and their bond deepened. They hadn’t yet discussed the depth of their feelings, but the unspoken understanding between them grew more palpable.

Scene: Eddie’s Living Room, Evening

Eddie and Buck are sitting on the couch, a movie playing softly in the background. The room is dimly lit, with the flickering light from the TV casting dancing shadows on their faces. Eddie stretches, holding his left side, testing his limits, a slight wince crossing his features before he relaxes back into the cushions.

Eddie: "You know what Buck, I think I’m ready to get back to work soon."

Buck looks over at him, a mixture of pride and concern in his eyes.

Buck: "That’s great news, Eddie. You’ve made incredible progress. We miss you at the firehouse."

Eddie smiles, the corners of his mouth lifting as he nods.

Eddie: "Yeah, I miss all of you too. And the work. It’s been strange not being out there."

They fall into a comfortable silence, the only sound in the room being the low hum of the movie. Buck turns slightly, his expression thoughtful, as he gathers the courage to bring up what’s been weighing on his mind.

Buck: "You know Eddie, we haven’t really talked about… us. About what happened in the hospital."

Eddie shifts, meeting Buck’s gaze. He can see the vulnerability in Buck's eyes, a reflection of his own unspoken fears and hopes.

Eddie: "Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that a lot. It’s just... a lot to process. Everything happened so fast."

Buck nods, his heart racing slightly. He swallows hard, his voice steady but tinged with emotion.

Buck: "I was terrified, Eddie. When I thought I might lose you... it made me realize how much you mean to me. It wasn’t just about losing my best friend. It was... more than that."

Eddie’s eyes soften, his voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions he feels.

Eddie: "You mean a lot to me too, Buck. More than I’ve let myself acknowledge. I was scared, too. Scared to admit it, scared of what it could mean. Scared of what people might think."

Buck smiles, relief washing over him like a wave. The air between them is thick with unspoken words and shared feelings.

Buck: "I think we owe it to ourselves to see where this can go. We’ve been through so much together. Maybe we should, I don’t know, go on a proper date? Just to see..."

Eddie’s smile mirrors Buck’s, warmth spreading through him. The thought of exploring what they could be brings a sense of excitement he hasn’t felt in a long time.

Eddie: "I’d like that. How about this weekend?"

Buck: "It’s a date."

They share a long look, the room growing quieter as the movie ends, but neither of them moves to turn it off. Buck reaches over, his fingers gently brushing against Eddie’s. It’s a small gesture, but it feels monumental. Eddie’s heart beats faster at the touch, the simplicity of it grounding him and making him feel more alive than he has in a long time.

Eddie: "I’ve thought about this, you know. About us. Even before the accident. But I kept pushing it away. I was afraid of what it might mean for Christopher, for the team, for us."

Buck’s eyes search Eddie’s, understanding and empathy clear in his gaze.

Buck: "I get it, Eddie. I’ve had the same fears. But I think... I think we owe it to ourselves to try. To see if this thing between us could be something amazing."

Eddie nods, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. The uncertainty is still there, but it’s overshadowed by hope and the desire to see where this path might lead.

Eddie: "You’re right. We do owe it to ourselves. And to Chris. He deserves to see his dad happy. Truly happy. And he loves you."

Buck squeezes Eddie’s hand, a silent promise that they will navigate this new territory together. The silence stretches, but it’s comfortable, filled with the promise of what’s to come.

Buck: "So, this weekend. What do you want to do for our first date?"

Eddie chuckles softly, the sound a balm to Buck’s soul.

Eddie: "How about we keep it simple? Dinner at that new Italian place downtown? I’ve heard good things."

Buck: "Sounds perfect. We can take it slow, one step at a time."

Eddie nods, his heart feeling lighter than it has in months.

Eddie: "One step at a time."

They sit in silence for a while longer, watching as the credits roll on the TV. The future feels bright, full of possibilities. And for the first time in a long time, they both feel ready to embrace it.

Eddie: "You know, Buck... no matter what happens, I’m glad we’re doing this. It feels... right."

Buck: "It does. I’m glad too, Eddie. More than you know."

As the final credit rolls, they stay on the couch, hands intertwined, knowing that whatever comes next, they’ll face it together. The journey ahead may be uncertain, but with each other, they feel ready for anything.