Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 91

Scene: Buck and Eddie’s House, Living Room

Buck was sitting on the couch, flipping through the TV channels when Eddie walked in. He immediately noticed the slightly serious look on Eddie’s face and sat up.

Buck (concerned): "Everything okay?"

Eddie nodded, though his expression was still soft.

Eddie: "Yeah. But Christopher wants to talk to you. He’s… worried about something, and I think you should go see him."

Buck’s brows furrowed in concern, but he stood up, heading toward Christopher’s room without hesitation.

Scene: Christopher’s Bedroom

Buck stepped quietly into Christopher’s room, the soft glow of the nightlight casting a warm, gentle hue over the room. His heart already ached at the thought of something weighing heavily on Christopher’s mind. It was unusual to see the boy so troubled, and knowing he was the source of comfort that Chris needed in this moment made Buck feel both honored and a little apprehensive. He wanted to get this right—for Christopher and for Eddie.

Buck made his way over to the bed and lay down beside Christopher, the bed dipping slightly under his weight. He moved carefully, mindful not to disturb the peace of the room. As he lay down, he wrapped an arm around Christopher, gently pulling him close. There was something so precious about moments like this, about being able to protect Christopher from the worries of the world, if only for a little while.

Buck (softly, his voice calm and reassuring): "Hey, bud. What’s going on? Your dad said you wanted to talk."

Christopher shifted slightly, turning onto his side so that he could face Buck. His small body nestled into Buck’s, and he rested his head against Buck’s chest, the steady rhythm of Buck’s heartbeat seeming to soothe him. There was a brief silence before Christopher finally spoke, his voice small and almost hesitant, as if saying the words would make his fear more real.

Christopher (softly, voice trembling slightly): "I love you, Buck. And… I think of you like my second dad. But… I’m scared."

Buck felt his heart squeeze at the confession. He could hear the vulnerability in Christopher’s voice, the way it trembled with uncertainty and fear. Christopher’s words—his raw, unfiltered emotions—hit Buck deeply, and for a moment, he struggled to find the right words. He tightened his arm around Christopher, pulling him closer, wanting to shield him from the very thing he feared.

Without thinking, Buck pressed a soft kiss to the top of Christopher’s head, letting the love he felt for the boy pour into that simple gesture. Christopher was more than just Eddie’s son—he was Buck’s family too, and hearing him express those feelings so openly made Buck’s heart ache in the best way.

Buck (gently, voice full of love): "You know I love you too. You don’t have to be scared, Chris. What’s bothering you, huh? Tell me what’s going on."

There was a brief pause, the kind that felt like the calm before a storm. Christopher shifted a little, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of the blanket, his eyes downcast. Buck waited patiently, knowing that whatever Christopher was about to say, it was important. He didn’t rush him. He wanted Christopher to feel safe enough to share his fears.

Christopher (hesitant, his voice small): "What if you and Dad get mad at each other? What if… what if you leave? I don’t want to lose you."

The words came out in a rush, filled with a deep, childlike fear that hit Buck like a ton of bricks. Buck’s breath caught in his throat, and for a moment, the room felt too small, too heavy with the weight of Christopher’s fear. It was as though the boy was carrying the burden of loss all over again, fearing that history might repeat itself.

Buck could feel the lump forming in his throat, the ache in his chest growing. He couldn’t believe that Christopher had been carrying this fear around with him, that he was so worried about losing Buck the way he’d lost Shannon.

Sitting up slightly, Buck propped himself up on his elbow so that he could look down at Christopher, his eyes filled with nothing but love and reassurance. He needed Christopher to understand, to feel the certainty in his words.

Buck (firmly but gently, his voice full of emotion): *"Christopher, listen to me. Look at me, buddy."*

Christopher lifted his head, his big, brown eyes wide and filled with unshed tears. The vulnerability in his gaze nearly broke Buck’s heart.

Buck (soft but unwavering): "I’m never going to leave you, okay? Not ever. I love you, and I’ll always be here. You’re like a son to me, Chris, and nothing in this world is going to change that. Nothing."

Christopher’s eyes searched Buck’s face, as if he was looking for some hidden truth behind the words, something that could reassure him. Buck didn’t waver. He held Christopher’s gaze with the same steady strength he’d used in the hardest moments of his life, wanting to make sure the boy understood how deeply he was loved.

Christopher (his voice cracking slightly, full of hope): "Really? You’re not going to leave?"

Buck’s heart broke at the fragility in Christopher’s voice. The boy had already experienced so much loss in his young life, and Buck knew that those scars ran deep. He reached out and brushed a stray curl from Christopher’s forehead, his thumb gently tracing the soft skin as he smiled down at him.

Buck (nodding, his voice soft but filled with conviction): "Really, buddy. I’ll always be here, no matter what. You’re stuck with me."

Christopher seemed to relax at that, his body sinking deeper into the bed as if the weight of the world had been lifted off his small shoulders. He let out a small sigh of relief, the tension in his tiny frame easing as the fear slowly melted away.

Christopher (quietly, voice filled with love): "I love you, Buck."

Buck’s heart swelled at the words. He could feel the warmth of Christopher’s love, so pure and unconditional, and it wrapped around him like a blanket. Leaning down, Buck pressed another gentle kiss to the top of Christopher’s head, lingering for a moment longer as he closed his eyes.

Buck (whispering, voice full of emotion): "I love you too, my champion. Always."

The room fell into a comfortable silence, the soft sounds of Christopher’s steady breathing the only noise that filled the air. Christopher nestled closer into Buck’s chest, snuggling against him like he’d done a thousand times before. Buck could feel the rise and fall of Christopher’s tiny frame as he began to drift off to sleep, the worry that had plagued him finally gone.

For a while, Buck just stayed there, holding Christopher close, feeling the boy’s warmth seep into him. His heart felt full—so full it almost hurt. This little boy had become such a huge part of his life, a piece of his heart he hadn’t even realized he’d been missing. And now, being here, holding Christopher like this, he knew without a doubt that this was exactly where he was meant to be.

Buck (whispering, more to himself): "I’ll never leave you, Chris. I promise."

Satisfied that Christopher was finally at peace, Buck carefully untangled himself from the boy’s embrace, making sure not to wake him. He tucked the blankets securely around Christopher, pressing one last kiss to his forehead before standing up.

As he quietly left the room, Buck took one last glance at Christopher, his heart swelling with love. This was his family. He wouldn’t trade it for anything.