Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 59

After hanging up, Buck stared at the phone in his hand, the weight of the night pressing down on him. He knew what he had to do, but that didn’t make it any easier. He opened his laptop and began searching for flights, his fingers moving quickly across the keys. He found one night-flight the next evening and booked two tickets—one for Eddie and one for himself. As he entered the details, he couldn’t help but think about how difficult the next few days would be. He needed to be strong, for Eddie’s sake.

With the flights booked, Buck quietly moved around the apartment, gathering his things and packing a suitcase for the trip. He made sure to pack the essentials for Eddie as well, knowing that Eddie would be too overwhelmed to think about it in the morning. As he moved through the familiar space, his heart ached with worry. He wanted to take away Eddie’s pain, but he knew that all he could do was be there, to stand by his side as he faced this loss.

The apartment was eerily quiet as Buck finished packing, the only sounds coming from the ticking of the clock and the occasional creak of the floorboards under his feet. He paused in the hallway, glancing toward the bedroom where Eddie was sleeping. For a moment, he considered going back to bed, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep. There was too much on his mind, too much he needed to process. Instead, he settled back on the couch, pulling a blanket over himself as he tried to gather his thoughts.

The hours slipped by, and before he knew it, the first light of dawn was filtering through the curtains. Buck’s body was exhausted, but his mind refused to rest. When he finally heard movement from the bedroom, he stood and walked toward the door, finding Eddie sitting up in bed, his face etched with sadness and exhaustion.

Eddie: “Buck… you didn’t have to stay up all night.”

Buck gave him a small, tired smile as he sat down beside him on the edge of the bed.

Buck: “I wanted to make sure everything was ready for today. I didn’t want you to have to worry about anything.”

Eddie looked at him, his eyes filled with sorrow, but also with gratitude. He reached out, taking Buck’s hand in his.

Eddie: “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Buck squeezed Eddie’s hand, his voice soft but firm.

Buck: “You don’t have to find out. I’m coming with you. Maddie’s going to take care of Chris while we’re gone.”

Eddie’s eyes widened slightly, surprised but touched by Buck’s determination.

Eddie: “Buck, you don’t have to do that. Christopher needs you…”

Buck shook his head, his voice resolute.

Buck: “Chris will be fine with Maddie and Chim. But you… you need me, Eddie. I want to be there for you. We’ll get through this together, okay?”

Eddie’s eyes filled with tears, and he nodded, unable to find the words to express how much Buck’s support meant to him. Instead, he leaned in, resting his forehead against Buck’s, taking comfort in the closeness, in the way Buck was always there for him, no matter what.

Eddie: “Thank you, Buck. I don’t know how I’m going to get through this… but I know I can with you by my side.”

Buck kissed Eddie’s forehead, his voice a whisper.

Buck: “You don’t have to do this alone, Eddie. We’ll take it one step at a time.”

They stayed like that for a few moments, just holding each other, before Eddie finally pulled back, wiping at his eyes.