Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 40

Scene: Hospital Room, Midnight

The hospital room was bathed in the pale glow of moonlight filtering through the partially closed blinds. The rhythmic beeping of the monitors provided a steady backdrop to the quiet, almost serene atmosphere. Eddie sat slumped in the chair beside Buck’s bed, his body finally succumbing to exhaustion. He had spent the past few days by Buck’s side, barely eating, hardly sleeping, consumed with worry and the need to be there for his partner. Tonight, fatigue had claimed him, and he had fallen into a restless sleep, his head resting on the edge of the bed, one hand lightly touching Buck’s uninjured shoulder.

Buck had shown signs of improvement. He could stay awake a little longer during the day, and his color had started to return. The bandages on his arms still looked severe, and the pain was a constant, but he was healing. It was these small victories that kept Eddie going, giving him the strength to push through his own exhaustion and fear.

As the clock ticked towards midnight, Buck’s peaceful sleep turned restless. His breathing became erratic, and his face contorted with distress. The nightmare enveloped him, dragging him into a dark, terrifying place where reality and memory blended into one.

In his nightmare, Buck was back at the scene of the accident. The world was ablaze, flames licking at his skin, searing pain ripping through him as he tried to escape. He could hear the screams of his teammates, the chaotic noise of the fire consuming everything in its path. The heat was unbearable, suffocating him, and he felt trapped, unable to move. He looked down at his hands, seeing them blackened and burned, the flesh blistering and peeling away.

Suddenly, the scene shifted. He was in his parents' house, sitting at the kitchen table. His mother’s stern face loomed over him, her eyes filled with disappointment. His father sat beside her, silent but equally disapproving. They spoke in harsh tones, their words cutting deeper than any physical pain he had ever experienced.

Margaret: "This isn’t right, Evan. Your relationship with Eddie… it’s not something we can accept."

Phillip: "You’re bringing shame to this family. Think about what you’re doing, Evan. Think about your future."

Buck tried to speak, to defend himself and his love for Eddie, but no words came out. He felt helpless, his throat constricting as if a hand was squeezing it shut. The rejection from his parents stung deeply, a wound that never seemed to heal.

The nightmare merged the two horrors into one. He was back in the fire, but now his parents were there too, standing in the flames, their faces still full of disapproval. The fire roared around them, consuming everything, but they didn’t move. They just stared at him, unmoved by his pain.

Margaret: "You should have known better, Evan. This is your fault."

Phillip: "You’re a disappointment, Evan."

Buck’s heart pounded in his chest, his breathing quickening as panic set in. He was trapped, the flames closing in, his parents’ condemnation echoing in his ears. The heat intensified, and he screamed, a raw, desperate sound that tore through the silence of the hospital room.

Eddie jolted awake at the sound of Buck’s scream, his heart racing as he took in the sight of his partner thrashing on the bed. Buck’s eyes were squeezed shut, his face twisted in agony as he muttered incoherent words, his body shaking with the force of his fear.

Eddie: "Buck, hey, it’s okay. It’s just a nightmare."

Eddie’s voice was gentle but urgent as he reached out, his hand resting on Buck’s shoulder, the only place he could touch without causing more pain. Buck’s eyes snapped open, wild and unfocused, still caught in the grip of his nightmare. His breaths came in rapid, shallow gasps, and his entire body trembled.

Eddie: "Buck, it’s me. It’s Eddie. You’re safe. You’re in the hospital, and you’re safe."

Buck’s eyes gradually focused on Eddie’s face, the terror slowly ebbing away as he registered where he was. But the fear didn’t dissipate entirely. His chest heaved with the effort of breathing, and his eyes filled with tears.

Buck: "Eddie, I... I thought... I thought I was going to die. And they were there. My parents... they don’t accept you. They don't accept us. They don’t accept me."

Eddie’s heart ached at Buck’s words, the pain in his voice cutting deep. He wanted nothing more than to hold Buck, to wrap him in his arms and shield him from all the hurt. But the burns on Buck’s body made that impossible, leaving Eddie feeling helpless.

Eddie: "Buck, listen to me. You’re here. You survived, and you’re getting better. Your parents... they don’t matter right now. What matters is you, getting through this. We’re all here for you, and we love you."

Buck’s breathing was still erratic, his panic not fully subsided. He looked at Eddie, desperation in his eyes.

Buck : "I need you to hold me, Eddie. Please, I need to feel you."

Eddie: "I can't, I'll hurt you more and I don't want to hurt you."

Buck: "I don’t care about the pain. Eddie... please."

Eddie hesitated, his fear of hurting Buck warring with the need to comfort him. He could see the pleading in Buck’s eyes, the raw vulnerability that begged for reassurance. Carefully, he climbed onto the bed, mindful of Buck’s injuries. He laid down beside him, gently moving the pillow that supported Buck’s right arm to make room.

Eddie: "Okay, Buck. I’m here. I’m right here."

He wrapped an arm around Buck’s shoulder, pulling him close. The contact was careful, but it was enough. Buck buried his face in Eddie’s chest, his body shaking with sobs. The relief of having Eddie close was palpable, the nightmare slowly losing its grip.

Eddie held him, whispering soothing words, his own tears mingling with Buck’s. The fear and pain of the past days seemed to pour out in those moments, the shared anguish and love binding them even tighter.

Eddie: "I’m here, Buck. I’m not going anywhere. You’re safe with me."

Gradually, Buck’s sobs subsided, his breathing evening out as he clung to Eddie. The warmth of Eddie’s body, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, provided the comfort Buck needed. The tension slowly drained from his body, and exhaustion took over.

Buck: "Thank you, Eddie. I love you."

Eddie: "I love you too, Buck. So much."

Buck fell asleep, his body finally relaxing completely against Eddie. Eddie stayed awake for a while longer, watching Buck’s peaceful face, the pain lines smoothed out in slumber. He felt a profound sense of relief and gratitude, thankful that Buck was still with him.

Eventually, Eddie’s own exhaustion caught up with him. He closed his eyes, his arm still wrapped around Buck, and allowed sleep to take him. The peace they found in each other’s arms was a balm to their wounded souls, a promise of healing and hope.