Stronger Together

Part 3

Buck shifted on the couch, adjusting the pillows Eddie had so carefully arranged, but no matter how he moved, the aching in his lower back wouldn’t relent. It felt like a constant, dull throb radiating through his entire body, and the exhaustion from holding it in all evening was catching up with him. His muscles were tense, his eyes heavy, and his belly, swollen with the weight of his pregnancy, felt impossibly tight.

He rubbed his hand over the curve of his belly, feeling a slight shift inside as the baby responded to his touch. Buck smiled softly for a moment—he loved the sensation of his baby moving, but it was harder now that every movement seemed to press against something tender inside him. A wave of emotion washed over him. He wasn’t sure if it was the pain, the hormones, or the sheer exhaustion of trying to keep it together for so long, but he suddenly felt the need for comfort, for closeness.

His eyes drifted to Eddie, who was sitting beside him, watching him with that careful, protective gaze Buck had come to rely on. Eddie’s presence was always a steadying force, and tonight was no different. The way Eddie had managed to get him home without drawing attention at the firehouse, the way he had gently helped him into the house and onto the couch—it was everything Buck needed, but now… he needed something more.

Buck blinked, his vision blurring for a moment as a lump formed in his throat. He hated feeling so vulnerable, but there was no hiding it from Eddie. Not now. Not when they were alone, and Eddie knew him better than anyone else.

“Eds…” Buck’s voice was soft, barely a whisper, as he shifted again, trying to find some relief. “Can you… can you hold me?”

Eddie turned to him, his eyes softening instantly. “Of course,” he replied, his voice just as gentle. He moved closer, already wrapping his arm around Buck’s shoulders, but Buck shook his head slightly.

“No,” Buck whispered, biting his lip as his voice trembled. “I mean… really hold me.”

Eddie paused, studying Buck’s face. That’s when he saw it—the slight quiver in Buck’s lower lip, the telltale sign that Buck was close to breaking. Buck was doing his best to keep it together, but the tears were threatening to spill over, and Eddie knew that the emotional dam was about to burst.

“Oh, Buck,” Eddie whispered, his heart aching for his partner. Without a second thought, he slid his arm more securely around Buck’s shoulders and gently tugged him closer. Buck hesitated for only a moment before he allowed himself to sink into Eddie’s embrace, resting his head against Eddie’s chest.

Eddie shifted so that he was leaning back into the couch, and Buck followed suit, adjusting his body so that he could curl into Eddie’s side. It took some maneuvering—being nine months pregnant made everything feel awkward—but Eddie was patient, helping Buck find a comfortable position. Eventually, Buck rested his head on Eddie’s shoulder, his body leaning into Eddie’s warmth. Eddie’s hand naturally moved to rest on Buck’s belly, gently rubbing soothing circles over the taut skin.

“Is this okay?” Eddie asked quietly, pressing a kiss to Buck’s temple. His voice was so full of love and care that it made Buck’s chest tighten with emotion.

Buck didn’t trust himself to speak. He just nodded, nuzzling closer to Eddie’s neck as he felt a tear slip down his cheek. The relief of finally being home, of being held by the person he trusted most in the world, was overwhelming. For so long, he’d tried to keep up a brave face, not wanting to worry anyone at the station, not wanting to let the pain show, but now that they were alone, there was no need for that facade.

“I’ve got you,” Eddie murmured, his hand never stopping its slow, rhythmic movements over Buck’s belly. “You’re safe. Just breathe.”

Buck closed his eyes, focusing on the sound of Eddie’s heartbeat. The steady thump, thump, thump in Eddie’s chest was grounding, pulling Buck out of the haze of pain and exhaustion. He exhaled slowly, his body finally starting to relax in Eddie’s embrace.

“I’m sorry,” Buck whispered after a long pause, his voice barely audible. His lips wobbled again, and he felt another tear slip down his cheek, dampening Eddie’s shirt.

“For what?” Eddie asked, his tone soft but confused.

“For… for being like this,” Buck admitted, his voice cracking slightly. “For needing so much right now.”

Eddie pulled back just enough to look at Buck, his brow furrowing. “Buck, you have nothing to apologize for,” he said firmly, his hand gently cupping Buck’s cheek, wiping away the stray tear with his thumb. “You’re growing a whole human in there. It’s okay to need help. It’s okay to need me.”

Buck sniffed, feeling more tears welling up behind his eyes. He hated how emotional he’d become lately. The pregnancy hormones were no joke, and moments like this made him feel so raw, so exposed. But Eddie’s words, the way he looked at Buck with such love and understanding, made the guilt and shame start to fade.

“I just…” Buck tried to find the right words, but his voice faltered, and he pressed his lips together, shaking his head slightly. “I’m just tired, Eddie. So tired.”

Eddie’s heart broke a little hearing the exhaustion in Buck’s voice. He shifted again, adjusting their position so that Buck was lying more comfortably against him, his head resting on Eddie’s chest now. Eddie’s arms wrapped securely around Buck, holding him close, as if he could shield him from the pain, from the world.

“Then rest,” Eddie whispered, his lips brushing against Buck’s forehead. “I’ll be right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

Buck’s breath hitched again, but this time it wasn’t from pain—it was from the overwhelming love he felt for Eddie in that moment. He pressed his face into Eddie’s chest, inhaling the familiar scent of him, and finally let the tears flow freely. They weren’t tears of sadness, though. They were tears of relief. Relief that Eddie was there. Relief that he didn’t have to pretend anymore. Relief that, despite everything, he wasn’t alone.

Eddie held him tighter, one hand still resting on Buck’s belly, feeling the occasional flutter of their baby beneath his palm. “You’re not alone, Buck,” Eddie whispered, as if reading Buck’s mind. “I’m with you. Always.”

Buck nodded against Eddie’s chest, his tears slowing as he felt Eddie’s love surround him. The warmth of Eddie’s body, the steady rise and fall of his chest, the gentle pressure of his hands—it was everything Buck needed. The pain in his back was still there, but somehow, it felt more bearable with Eddie holding him, with Eddie’s calm voice in his ear, reminding him that he didn’t have to go through this alone.

“Cuddle me tighter?” Buck mumbled, his voice muffled against Eddie’s shirt, but Eddie heard him.

Without hesitation, Eddie shifted slightly, pulling Buck closer, enveloping him completely in his arms. “Always,” Eddie promised, pressing another kiss to Buck’s temple. “I’ll hold you as tight as you need.”

And with that, Buck finally let himself relax, his body melting into Eddie’s as the exhaustion washed over him. For the first time all night, he felt safe. Safe enough to let go. Safe enough to rest.

Safe enough to let Eddie hold him.