Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 96

Scene: Buck and Eddie’s House

Buck arrived home, his heart racing just a bit faster than usual as the small velvet box remained safely tucked away in his jacket pocket. The weight of it felt both exciting and nerve-wracking, and though he had managed to keep it hidden so far, he knew he had to find a better place to stash it before Eddie or Christopher noticed anything was off.

As he stepped through the front door, he was immediately greeted by the sound of laughter. Eddie and Christopher were sitting on the living room floor, fully immersed in a board game, their faces lit up with smiles. Buck paused for a moment, his heart swelling at the sight. This was his family—his home, his world. The joy on Christopher’s face and the relaxed, content look in Eddie’s eyes made him feel more certain than ever about the decision he’d made.

Eddie looked up as Buck walked in, his eyes brightening as he flashed that warm, loving smile that always made Buck feel like he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

Eddie: “Hey, how’d it go?”

Buck, trying to appear as casual as possible, slipped the ring deeper into his pocket as he dropped his keys on the counter. He made his way over to the couch, plopping down next to Eddie with a relaxed grin, though his fingers brushed against the velvet box just to make sure it was still securely hidden.

Buck (grinning): “All good. Doctor says I’m fit for duty.”

Eddie’s face softened with visible relief. He placed a hand on Buck’s thigh, but there was still a flicker of concern in his eyes. Buck knew that even though Eddie was happy he was cleared to return to work, the memories of his near-death experience were still fresh for both of them.

Eddie (quietly, but firmly): “That’s great, Buck. But... you’ll be careful, right? I don’t want to go through that again.”

Buck reached over, taking Eddie’s hand in his and giving it a reassuring squeeze. He met Eddie’s gaze, his voice steady as he promised.

Buck (softly): “I promise, Eddie. I’m not taking any chances. I’m coming home to you and Christopher, every single time.”

Eddie’s shoulders relaxed a little, the tension melting away as he leaned in and kissed Buck gently on the lips. It was a kiss that held more than just love—it held trust, understanding, and the kind of bond that could only be built after weathering countless storms together. Christopher, watching them with his wide, adoring eyes, grinned from ear to ear. He loved seeing his dads so happy, so close.

After the kiss, Buck pulled away slightly, trying not to think too much about the small box hidden in his pocket. He needed to stash the ring somewhere safe before Eddie caught on. So, as Christopher excitedly began explaining the rules of the game they were playing, Buck stood up with a grin.

Buck (smiling at Christopher): “Let me just put my stuff away, bud, and I’ll be right back.”

Eddie raised an eyebrow, suspicious but playful.

Eddie (teasing): “You’re not trying to get out of playing, are you?”

Buck chuckled, shaking his head.

Buck: “Nope. I’ll be back in two minutes, promise.”

With that, he slipped into the bedroom, closing the door behind him. He quickly pulled the ring box from his pocket and looked around the room for the perfect hiding spot. After a moment of consideration, he settled on the top shelf of the closet, behind a stack of old photo albums. It was a safe place—somewhere Eddie rarely ventured unless they were in a nostalgic mood. Buck placed the velvet box carefully behind the albums, making sure it was completely out of sight.