Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 93

Scene: Buck and Eddie’s House

The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across Buck and Eddie’s bedroom. The rays touched on the rumpled blankets, the soft pillow beneath Buck's head, and the strong arm Eddie had draped across Buck’s waist during the night. The room was quiet, save for the occasional chirp of birds outside the window and the faint hum of the city waking up. There was a peace that lingered in the space—a warmth that came from years of shared mornings and unspoken promises of a future together.

Buck stirred first, blinking slowly as the dawn's light illuminated the room, gentle but insistent. His eyes were heavy with the lingering traces of sleep, but his body was already responding to the sense of time—the quiet rhythm of another day beginning. He was curled around Eddie, their limbs tangled under the covers like they always were when they slept. Buck had learned long ago that Eddie liked to be close when they slept, and he’d grown used to the weight and comfort of Eddie’s body pressing against his during the night. It was a comfort he didn’t realize he needed until he had it.

Buck sighed softly, his breath stirring the faint scent of Eddie's skin—a familiar mix of soap and something uniquely Eddie, something that made Buck feel grounded, like everything in the world could fall apart but this—this right here—was unshakable. Today was going to be a big day for Buck, and the thought of it crept into his mind even before he fully woke up. His appointment with Dr. Hawkins loomed ahead, the one that would determine if he was ready to return to work. The thought tugged at his nerves, a knot forming in his stomach as his mind replayed everything that led him to this point.

His muscles ached with a memory that wasn’t fully gone—the fire, the heat, the way his body had screamed in agony as he pushed it to its limits. Even now, as he lay safely in bed with Eddie beside him, the echoes of that pain lingered somewhere in the back of his mind. He had healed, physically at least, but the scars that stretched across his arms told another story—a reminder of just how close he’d come to losing everything.

Buck shifted slightly, trying to ease the anxiety that had started to bubble up inside of him. He didn’t want to wake Eddie, but his movements were enough to rouse him, Eddie always hyper-aware of Buck’s presence even in sleep. Eddie stirred, his hand tightening instinctively around Buck’s waist, his breath catching for a moment before his eyes blinked open lazily. Buck watched the way Eddie’s eyelids fluttered as he woke, his lips parting slightly as he stretched under the blankets, his body shifting closer to Buck's as if trying to ward off the morning for just a few more minutes.

Eddie (groggy, voice rough with sleep): “Mmm... what time is it?”

Buck turned his head slightly, his lips curving into a soft smile as he glanced at the clock on the nightstand. The numbers glowed softly in the dim room.

Buck (softly): “Just after seven. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Eddie hummed in response, his hand finding Buck’s under the blankets and intertwining their fingers. He was still half-asleep, but his body instinctively sought Buck’s warmth. He turned his head toward Buck, their faces now only inches apart. Eddie’s eyes, still heavy with sleep, met Buck’s, and there was a tenderness there, a quiet, unspoken understanding between them that spoke louder than words ever could.

Eddie (smiling softly): “You didn’t. You nervous?”

Buck hesitated for a moment, his gaze dropping to where their hands were tangled together. There was something about Eddie that made it hard for him to hide what he was feeling, even when he wanted to. He always had a way of seeing right through Buck, right to the heart of what was going on. Buck nodded slightly, not wanting to lie but also not wanting to burden Eddie with the full weight of his anxiety.

Buck: “A little. I mean, I know my body’s healed, but...”

He trailed off, his eyes shifting toward the ceiling as if the right words were written somewhere up there. How could he explain that it wasn’t just about the physical recovery? It was the mental side—the fear that still lingered in the back of his mind, the doubt that sometimes crept in when he least expected it. Returning to work wasn’t just about being physically fit. It was about trusting his body again, about trusting himself not to falter in the heat of the moment.

Buck: “It’s just… getting back out there. I don’t want to mess up, you know?”

Eddie’s grip on Buck’s hand tightened slightly, and without a word, he shifted until he was fully facing Buck, their bodies close and warm under the blankets. Eddie’s eyes, though still hazy with sleep, were filled with understanding. He knew what Buck wasn’t saying—he knew what it was like to doubt yourself after an injury, to question whether you’d be the same person when you returned to the job.

Eddie leaned in, his voice low and soft as he spoke, barely a whisper between them.

Eddie: “You’re not going to mess up. You’ve trained for this, you’re strong, and you’ve been through worse. You’re ready, Buck. But if you’re not... it’s okay to take more time.”

Buck’s chest tightened at Eddie’s words, not with anxiety, but with something softer, something that made him feel like he wasn’t in this alone. Eddie always knew what to say, not in a way that dismissed Buck’s fears but in a way that made him feel heard, seen. Buck looked into Eddie’s eyes, those deep brown eyes that had seen him at his worst and still loved him without hesitation.

Buck (smiling softly): “Thanks. But I think I’m ready. I need to get back to work.”

Eddie nodded, but there was a flicker of worry in his eyes that Buck didn’t miss. Eddie always worried about him, especially after what happened with the accident. He hadn’t said it outright, but Buck knew Eddie had spent weeks terrified of losing him—of coming so close to something neither of them were prepared to face. It had changed both of them in subtle ways, making moments like this—mornings spent tangled in sheets, quiet whispers in the early light—all the more precious.

Eddie reached up and brushed a strand of hair from Buck’s forehead, his fingers lingering against Buck’s skin for just a moment longer than necessary.

Eddie (gently): “I can come with you to the appointment, you know. Just in case you want some company.”

Buck chuckled softly, shaking his head. It was just like Eddie to offer, to be by his side no matter what, but Buck didn’t want to pull him away from Christopher, especially when they didn’t often get mornings like this—peaceful, quiet, uninterrupted time together. Besides, Buck needed to do this on his own, to hear from the doctor himself that he was ready to return to the life he loved.

Buck (teasing): “I’ll be fine. Besides, it’ll give you some time to hang out with Chris. Maybe do something special while I’m gone?”

Eddie’s eyes softened at the mention of their son, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He always loved spending time with Christopher, and Buck could see the gears turning in Eddie’s mind, already thinking of ways to make their day special. Eddie always made time for Christopher, whether it was something small like going for a walk in the park or planning a bigger surprise. Buck admired that about him—the way he balanced being a dad, a firefighter, and a partner so effortlessly.

Eddie (playfully): “Alright, alright. But you better text me as soon as you’re done, okay?”

Buck (grinning): “Promise.”

The air between them felt light, the tension of the morning easing as they shared a soft kiss. It was a kiss that spoke of love and comfort, of the life they’d built together, and of the quiet understanding that, no matter what, they had each other’s backs.

As they slipped out of bed, the day ahead of them began to unfold. The morning routine—the brushing of teeth, the shared cups of coffee, the soft hum of the shower in the background—felt familiar, grounding them both in the normalcy of their lives. It was a moment of quiet before the storm, a reminder of all they had to look forward to.