Buddie: Partners in Fire

Chapter 116

Scene: Bobby and Athena’s House

The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky as Buck and Eddie pulled up to Bobby and Athena’s house, its golden rays stretching lazily over the quiet street. The suburban neighborhood was calm, the air filled with the scent of freshly cut grass and the distant sound of wind chimes. Buck stared out the window for a moment, taking in the familiarity of it all. This house had become a place of safety, a refuge, and today, they were here for something more than a simple visit.

Buck turned off the engine, the rumble of the car fading into the stillness. He glanced over at Eddie, who was sitting in the passenger seat, looking as calm as ever. Eddie caught Buck’s gaze, his lips curling into that reassuring smile that always made Buck feel like everything was going to be okay.

Eddie (softly): “You ready?”

Buck let out a slow breath, nodding.

Buck: “Yeah. I just— I don’t know why I’m so nervous. It’s Bobby. It’s not like he’s gonna say no.”

Eddie reached over, placing a warm hand on Buck’s knee.

Eddie (teasing): “If you can survive getting stuck under the firetruck, you can survive this. Trust me, he’s going to be honored.”

Buck laughed, though his stomach still fluttered with anticipation. There was something about this moment—about asking Bobby to play such an important role in their wedding—that felt like a big deal. Bobby wasn’t just their captain; he was family, a father figure to them both, and Buck knew how much this would mean to him.

They stepped out of the car, the soft crunch of gravel under their feet as they walked up the familiar front steps. Buck paused for just a second, his hand hovering over the door, before finally knocking. It was only a moment before the door swung open, and there was Athena, her face lighting up with a smile that always made you feel like you were exactly where you were meant to be.

Athena (teasing): “Well, look who finally showed up. I was beginning to think you two had forgotten where we live.”

Buck grinned, his nerves easing just a little.

Buck (with a playful grin): “Nah, we just had to save the best visit for last.”

Athena’s laugh was warm as she stepped aside to let them in.

Athena (winking): “Smooth talker. Come on in, Bobby’s in the living room. I’ll let you two get to it while I finish up in the kitchen.”

The familiar smell of dinner simmering on the stove wafted through the house, and Buck felt himself relax a little more as they stepped inside. This was home, in a way, and the comfort of it settled his nerves. They followed Athena into the living room where Bobby sat in his usual spot, a book resting in his lap. The moment he saw them, his face lit up, the same kind of smile that made everything feel like it was going to be okay, no matter what.

Bobby (warmly): “Hey, boys. Good to see you. What brings you here this evening?”

Buck and Eddie exchanged a quick glance, the weight of what they were about to ask lingering in the air between them. They sat down on the couch across from Bobby, Buck fidgeting slightly as he tried to figure out the best way to say what he needed to say. Bobby’s sharp eyes didn’t miss a thing, and Buck could tell by the way Bobby leaned forward that he already sensed this wasn’t just a casual visit.

Bobby (with concern): “Everything okay?”

Eddie leaned back, giving Buck a slight nod, silently encouraging him to go ahead. Buck cleared his throat, trying to keep his voice steady.