Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 67

Scene: Eddie's Room, Early Morning

The early morning light filtered through the blinds, casting soft streaks of sunlight across the room. Buck woke slowly, blinking against the soft glow that illuminated the quiet space. For a moment, he lay still, his mind slowly catching up to the weight of the day ahead. It wasn’t the kind of morning where you could afford to linger in the peace of sleep, not today.

He turned his head, his gaze settling on Eddie, who was still fast asleep beside him. The lines of tension that had marked Eddie’s face for days were absent now, softened in the quiet vulnerability of sleep. His chest rose and fell slowly, the blanket pulled up to his shoulders. He looked so peaceful, but Buck knew the weight Eddie had been carrying—the heaviness of grief, of family, of responsibility.

Buck sighed quietly, his heart heavy with the knowledge that he’d have to wake him soon. Eddie deserved more than a few hours of rest, but today wasn’t a day they could ignore, no matter how much he might want to.

For a long moment, Buck simply watched him. He knew how hard this day would be for Eddie, knew how much his partner dreaded the funeral. But as much as Buck wanted to shield him from all of it, he also knew there were some things Eddie had to face, even if he didn’t want to. Still, he could make sure Eddie didn’t have to do it alone.

He reached over, hesitating for just a moment before gently placing his hand on Eddie’s shoulder, giving it a soft shake.

Buck: “Eddie… hey, wake up.”

Eddie groaned softly, his face scrunching up as he shifted under the blankets but kept his eyes closed. He wasn’t ready to face the day, and Buck could see it in the way Eddie’s body seemed to curl deeper into itself, trying to escape the inevitability of waking up.

Eddie: “Don’t wanna move. Five more minutes.”

His voice was muffled against the pillow, heavy with sleep and exhaustion. Buck gave a small, soft chuckle, but there was no real humor in it—just understanding. He shifted closer, propping himself up on one elbow as he reached out to run his fingers through Eddie’s dark hair, the strands soft and familiar under his touch.

Buck: “I know, my love. I know. But we’ve got to get ready. Today’s the funeral.”

Eddie’s face tightened slightly at Buck’s words, and he let out a deep, reluctant sigh. He still didn’t open his eyes, as if by keeping them shut, he could delay the day for just a little longer. Buck’s heart ached for him, knowing how much Eddie didn’t want to go through this—how much he wanted to pretend today didn’t exist at all.

Eddie: “Can’t we just… skip to tomorrow? Pretend today doesn’t exist?”

His voice was raw, filled with the kind of exhaustion that went beyond sleep. It was the weight of grief, of loss, and of facing his family, something Buck knew was eating away at Eddie, even if he didn’t say it out loud.

Buck moved closer, pressing his chest against Eddie’s back as he wrapped an arm around him. He rested his chin on Eddie’s shoulder, his voice soft and filled with quiet comfort.

Buck: “I wish we could. I really do. But we can’t, Eddie. We’ll get through it together, though. I’m not going anywhere.”

Eddie finally opened his eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling. His gaze was distant, his mind still somewhere between the safety of sleep and the harsh reality that awaited him outside the four walls of his childhood bedroom.

Eddie: “Yeah… I know.”

His voice was small, almost resigned, and Buck felt the weight of it settle in his chest. He knew that Eddie had been carrying this burden for days now, trying to be strong for everyone else, especially for Christopher. But today, it was Eddie who needed the strength, and Buck was determined to be there for him in any way he could.