Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 75

Scene: Hotel Pool, Early Evening

The pool area was a serene oasis, lit softly by glowing lanterns and the gentle shimmer of water. It wasn’t crowded, just a few other guests lounging on chairs, absorbed in their own worlds. The air was cool, the soft ripple of water barely louder than the quiet hum of crickets in the distance. Eddie and Buck stood at the edge for a moment, side by side, taking in the tranquil scene.

Buck: “Looks nice, huh? Peaceful.”

Eddie nodded, his gaze fixed on the calm surface of the pool. He hadn’t realized how much he needed this—just a break, a moment of calm away from everything.

Eddie: “Yeah… more than I thought.”

Without another word, Eddie stepped into the water, the coolness washing over him immediately. He waded in, letting the water rise to his chest before he pushed off from the edge. He floated on his back, eyes closed, feeling the gentle tug of the water as it moved around him. For the first time in days, his mind wasn’t racing. He wasn’t thinking about the funeral, his family, or the heavy weight pressing on his chest. The water made him feel weightless, the tension in his muscles slowly ebbing away.

Buck watched him for a moment, leaning against the edge of the pool. He could see the subtle shift in Eddie’s expression, the way his shoulders had relaxed, the tight lines of stress beginning to fade. Buck smiled softly before diving into the water, the coolness a refreshing shock as he cut through the still surface.

He swam over to Eddie, moving in sync as they glided side by side, the water parting around them. They didn’t talk much at first, just the occasional glance and small smile. There was no need to fill the silence; it was comfortable, easy. Every so often, Buck would drift closer, nudging Eddie playfully or splashing a bit of water his way.

Eventually, Buck swam up beside him, nudging Eddie’s shoulder with his own.

Buck: “You know, for someone who’s supposed to be the ‘fit one,’ you’re looking pretty lazy right now.”

Eddie cracked an eye open, glancing at Buck with a half-smile.

Eddie:“I’m conserving energy. Strategic.”

Buck: “Strategic? Floating around like a lazy river is your big plan?”

Eddie chuckled, the sound soft but genuine, a little ripple of warmth in the stillness of the pool.

Eddie: “You don’t get it. It’s about the balance of effort. Work smarter, not harder.”

Buck rolled his eyes dramatically, splashing a little more water in Eddie’s direction.

Buck: “Yeah, okay. Whatever you say, ‘Mr. Strategic.’”

They swam lazily for a while, just drifting through the water. Every now and then, Buck would swim ahead, only to circle back and float beside Eddie, making sure he was still doing okay. It wasn’t about the swimming—it was about giving Eddie the space to breathe, to just be. The weight of the day seemed to dissolve, like the water was pulling the heaviness from Eddie’s shoulders.

Buck: “You wanna race or something? Or are you too busy with your whole ‘conserving energy’ thing?”

Eddie raised an eyebrow, but his eyes were relaxed, no longer filled with the storm that had been there earlier.

Eddie: “You really want me to embarrass you like that? I mean, come on, Buck.”

Buck grinned, the playful edge in his voice clear.

Buck: “Oh, please. You talk a big game for someone who’s barely moved in the last twenty minutes. I’m pretty sure I’d leave you in the dust.”

Eddie laughed softly, a sound that Buck had missed more than he realized. For a split second, it was like they were back to their normal selves, no grief, no weight pulling them down.

Eddie: “You’re on. But when you lose, don’t say I didn’t warn you. I'm faster than you.”

Buck: "We'll see mister Léon Marchand"

They both swam to one side of the pool, lining up like they were about to take on an Olympic sprint. Buck gave Eddie a sidelong glance, that competitive glint sparking in his eyes.

Buck: “On three. One… two…”

Before Buck could say “three,” Eddie kicked off from the side of the pool, shooting ahead with a burst of speed.

Buck: “Hey! Cheater!”

Laughing, Buck chased after him, their playful shouts and splashes breaking the stillness of the night. Eddie might have had a head start, but Buck caught up quickly, pulling ahead just as they reached the other side. Eddie grabbed the edge of the pool, slightly out of breath but grinning.

Eddie: “Alright, fine. You win this one. But you cheated first.”

Buck: “Hey, I just followed your lead. You’re the one who jumped the gun!”

Eddie shook his head, his smile widening, and for a moment, it was like the darkness that had been hanging over him all day had lifted. He wasn’t thinking about everything weighing him down—he was just here, in the moment, with Buck.

They floated back to the middle of the pool, side by side once again, their bodies moving in sync with the gentle sway of the water.

Eddie: “You know, I needed this. I didn’t realize how much until now.”

Buck: “Yeah, I could tell you were carrying a lot.”

He glanced over at Eddie, his expression softening.

Buck: “I’m glad you’re feeling a little better. I knew the pool would help. It always does.”

Eddie nodded, closing his eyes as he floated, letting the cool water continue to soothe him.

Eddie: “It’s like… everything’s quieter here. I can actually breathe.”

Buck: “Good. You deserve that.”

They stayed in the pool for a while longer, neither of them in any rush to leave. The world outside the water didn’t exist for the moment, and that was enough. The lanterns continued to glow softly, casting reflections on the water as the stars began to peek out overhead. Eddie felt lighter, more grounded, like he had finally found a small pocket of peace amidst the chaos.

When they finally climbed out of the pool, the air was cool against their skin, but it didn’t feel as heavy as before. Eddie wrapped himself in a towel, glancing over at Buck, who gave him a small, reassuring smile.

Buck: “Ready to head back?”

Eddie nodded, his body feeling lighter, and for the first time in days, he felt like he could truly relax.

Eddie: “Yeah. Let’s go.”

With that, they walked back to their room, leaving behind the pool but taking with them a sense of calm they hadn’t had when they arrived.

Scene: Hotel Room, Evening

Back in their room, the quiet of the evening continued to settle over them. Eddie sat on the edge of the bed, drying his hair with a towel while Buck rummaged through their suitcases, pulling out clean clothes for them to change into. He handed Eddie a shirt and a pair of shorts, his eyes soft with concern.

Buck: “You good?”

Eddie nodded, offering a small smile as he took the clothes.

Eddie: “Yeah. I feel… better. Not perfect, but better.”

Buck smiled, a flicker of relief passing over his features. He knew Eddie wasn’t the type to openly express how he was feeling all the time, so even this small acknowledgment was enough to ease some of Buck’s worry.