Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 79

Scene: From the hotel to the Airport

After finishing breakfast, they slowly made their way back up to their hotel room. The halls were quiet, only the soft hum of the elevator accompanying them as they ascended to their floor. Once inside the room, the familiar coziness that had been their temporary home for the past hours greeted them. Eddie lingered by the window for a moment, taking in the morning light as it filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the room’s simple décor.

Buck moved with purpose, already beginning the process of ensuring they hadn’t left anything behind. He checked the closet, making sure no clothes were hanging there, then bent down to peek under the bed. He pulled open drawers, ran a hand over the bathroom counter to check for any stray toiletries, and did another sweep of the nightstand to be sure nothing had slipped through the cracks.

Eddie, meanwhile, was slower, methodical in zipping up their suitcases. He wasn’t rushing. His hands moved over the luggage mechanically, but his mind was elsewhere—still stuck somewhere between the events of the past few days and the looming return to LA. Buck glanced up, noticing Eddie’s far-off look, but he didn’t comment, allowing him the space to process at his own pace.

Buck (glancing around one last time): "I think that’s everything. Ready?"

Eddie zipped up the last suitcase with a soft grunt and nodded.

Eddie (quietly): "Yeah. Let’s get going."

By 8:30, they were heading out the door, their suitcases in tow as they made their way down to the lobby. The hotel staff offered polite smiles as they passed, the sound of rolling luggage following them until they reached the front entrance. The air outside was cool, with just the faintest hint of warmth creeping in as the day began to fully bloom.

The rental car was parked near the front, and Buck loaded their suitcases into the trunk with practiced ease, shutting it with a soft thud. Eddie slid into the passenger seat, staring straight ahead as Buck got into the driver’s side. The quiet between them wasn’t heavy, but it carried a certain weight—a shared understanding that words weren’t really necessary.

As they pulled out of the parking lot, the city began to pass by in a blur of familiar yet detached scenery. Tall buildings, street vendors setting up for the day, cars honking in the distance—everything felt strangely routine, almost like they were just ordinary tourists leaving after a quick getaway. But Buck knew better, and so did Eddie. Their silence wasn’t awkward; it was simply reflective, both of them lost in their own thoughts about what lay ahead.

Buck stole glances at Eddie every so often, noticing how his gaze remained fixed on the passing landscape. He could tell Eddie’s mind was wandering, likely revisiting memories of the last few days, maybe even further back. It was one of those moments where Buck wanted to say something, to offer words of comfort or reassurance, but he didn’t want to push Eddie into a conversation he wasn’t ready for. Instead, he opted for something simple, something that had always been a silent promise between them.

Reaching over the console, Buck took Eddie’s hand, his fingers curling around Eddie’s in a gentle squeeze. It was small, but it was enough—a quiet way of saying 'I’m here' without forcing any more words into the space between them. Eddie glanced down at their joined hands, then looked over at Buck. He didn’t speak, but the gratitude was clear in his eyes. He squeezed back, just for a moment, before turning his attention back to the window.

They drove like that for a while, the city slowly giving way to highways and the eventual approach to the airport. Traffic was light, and soon enough, they were pulling into the car rental return area. Buck parked the car and they both climbed out, stretching their limbs as they grabbed their luggage from the trunk. The airport loomed ahead, busy as ever with travelers rushing to catch flights or dragging their feet after long journeys.

Inside, the familiar chaos of an airport greeted them. People were bustling around, pulling suitcases, checking in at kiosks, standing in long security lines. Buck maneuvered through it all with ease, guiding Eddie through the rental car return process and navigating toward the security checkpoint. As they approached, Eddie’s face tightened ever so slightly, a flash of stress passing through his expression.

Buck (softly, leaning toward him): "Hey, you doing okay?"

Eddie gave a small nod, but his voice was quieter than usual.

Eddie: "Yeah, just... airports, you know?"

Buck did know. Airports were places of transitions, places where you left one part of your life behind and headed toward another. For Eddie, this airport wasn’t just the end of a trip; it was the end of a chapter in his life, a chapter filled with loss and grief. But Buck wasn’t about to let him get stuck in that feeling. As they moved through the security line, Buck kept up a steady stream of light conversation, cracking jokes and making observations about the people around them.

At one point, as they neared the front of the line, an older man walked past them with a brisk, almost purposeful gait. Buck caught sight of him and couldn’t resist.

Buck (whispering with a mischievous grin): "Look at that guy. I bet he’s on his way to some secret mission. You know, like a retired spy. Totally undercover."

Eddie glanced at the man and then at Buck, shaking his head in amusement.

Eddie (softly, a smile tugging at his lips): "You’re ridiculous Buck."

Buck (grinning, leaning in slightly): "I know. But it’s working—you’re smiling."

Eddie’s smile widened a bit, his shoulders loosening as the tension eased just a little. Buck always knew how to cut through the heaviness, to find the small pockets of lightness in a room full of shadows. It was one of the things Eddie loved most about him—how he could find humor even when things felt overwhelming.

Once they passed through security, they made their way to the gate, finding a pair of seats off to the side where they could sit quietly before boarding. The terminal was busy, travelers talking on phones or scrolling through tablets, the soft hum of announcements filling the air. Eddie sat back in his chair, stretching his legs out in front of him, while Buck slouched beside him, his foot tapping lightly against the floor.

But the quiet didn’t last long—not with Buck. He shifted in his seat, his eyes scanning the crowd with a playful glint as he nudged Eddie’s shoulder.

Buck (nodding toward a woman pacing in front of them): "See her? She’s probably debating the meaning of life right now. Or maybe she’s just trying to remember if she left her stove on."

Eddie chuckled, the sound soft but genuine.

Eddie: "I bet she’s trying to figure out how to escape the madness of this place."

Buck grinned, his eyes dancing with amusement as he continued to make silly observations about the people around them. Each time, Eddie’s smile grew a little wider, and Buck could see the weight on his shoulders lifting, even if only temporarily.

Buck (teasing): "See? You’re smiling again. I’m a miracle worker."

Eddie (smirking, his tone playful): "You’re something, that’s for sure."

They fell into an easy rhythm after that, Buck’s antics keeping the mood light while they waited for their flight to be called. When the announcement finally came over the loudspeaker, signaling the start of boarding, Buck stood and stretched.

Buck: "Alright, let’s go catch our flight. I hear LA’s waiting for us."

Eddie stood as well, a small smile still lingering on his face. For the first time that morning, he felt like the weight of everything wasn’t quite so heavy—not with Buck beside him, making him laugh, making him feel like maybe, just maybe, things would be okay when they got home.

As they walked toward the boarding line, Eddie’s mind wandered back to what Buck had said earlier. LA was waiting for them, but it wasn’t just LA—it was their life, their home, their future together. And as long as Buck was there, Eddie knew they’d face whatever came next as a team.