#and the APD expects carlos to play

[pimento-playing-hopscotch]

Hear me out…

Red vs Blue-

This time they play dodgeball.

[noxsoulmate]

💞⚾ Noxy’s Tarlos Baseball Fic ⚾💞

💞⚾ now complete ⚾💞

Ship: Tarlos | Fandom: 911 Lone Star | Author: noxsoulmate | Read on ao3

Chapter: 2/2 | Word Count: 10940 | Complete: 16330 | Rating: Explicit | Warnings/Tags: baseball, valentine's day, different first meeting, meet-cute, running into each other, coffee shops, farmers market, night clubs, hook-up, baseball player TK, baseball player Carlos, rivals, Red vs Blue (but not the episode), banter, sexual innuendos, flirting, teasing, basically Tarlos uses the baseball game as foreplay, and they don't hide it, implied sexual content, but TK has a dirty mind so the rating is explicit, making out, strangers to lovers, love at first sight | Art made by me

Summary:

The moment he spots him, he freezes. For just a tiny second, he wonders if all his thoughts of Carlos have summoned him. And then he takes in the man as a whole, attire and all – and his mind goes blank. Because Carlos is wearing a jersey as well. And it’s blue. Carlos is wearing the blue jersey… of APD.

~*~

Meet cutes are only meant for rom coms, right? So why is it that TK has a total of four of them with the same stranger in just one day? Besides, Valentine’s weekend is certainly not the right time for him to have his head in cloud nine – not when the annual Baseball game between Fire and Police is on the line. Apparently, Police hasn't lost in years thanks to their pitcher. But now Fire has TK on their team – a paramedic who had a chance to play in the major leagues...

💞⚾ Chapter 1 ⚾💞

💞⚾ Read Chapter 2 on ao3 ⚾💞

Sneak peek under the cut:

“TK, can you tone down that grin a little bit?”

“Why?” TK asks, his grin turning cheeky instead. “Isn’t this supposed to be a fun day anyway?”

“Ah, hell na?” he hears Judd as he comes up right next to them. “This ain’t no fun. This is serious business.”

“Besides,” Paul throws in, baseball bat across his shoulders as if he’s stretching his arms. “We all know that grin isn’t because of the game ahead of us. It’s about that mystery man you disappeared with last night. Don’t deny it.”

“Not denying it at all,” TK replies, smile stretching even wider. “So I had a great night – wasn’t that exactly why you took me out?”

“Yeah, we just didn’t expect it to go that well,” Marjan says, pointing at what he guesses is his sunny smile. 

Even though Marjan’s not on the team, she’s still dressed in the red-and-black combo of the fire department and sitting on the bench with them. She’s their unofficial social media expert, meaning she’ll film the game and then put some great highlights of it online later. Hopefully she’ll be able to post about a win for Fire.

According to Judd – and the rest of the team – they really need this win because their losing streak is a disgrace to their department. TK didn’t pay it much mind before but now that he’s seeing the stands fill with a large crowd, he starts to understand that it’s not just about Police versus Fire. It’s about community. He was skeptical when Judd said the annual match between Fire and Police is a highlight in Travis County, rallying crowds of hundreds, but now he’s a witness. Hell, there’s even a news van and people with homemade signs. Fire definitely needs to bring home the trophy this year.

“Yes, TK,” Nancy thankfully pulls TK out of his thoughts before he can overthink this. He’ll simply play his best game, no need to worry. “Tell us how it went? We didn’t see much of the guy but from what we saw, he was hot as fuck.”

“Oh, he definitely is,” TK agrees, his smile instantly back and all the worries in the world gone.

“Anyone else worried we’ll have to see that grin for a whole while longer?” Paul asks the group, who all agree.

TK rolls his eyes. “So what, I met a dude that might just be the absolute jackpot. Aren’t you happy for me?”

“TK,” Judd starts in his slow southern drawl, one of his big hands landing on his shoulder. “From what I hear, you just met the guy and what? Had one good night with him? You’re running around like you’re on cloud nine. Brother, don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for you, I just think you should be careful too. Do we need to check him out?”

While TK’s truly touched by Judd’s genuine desire to protect him, he still gives him an impish grin. “Well, for one, how long did it take you to know that Grace might be the one and definitely worth chasing?”

“Ahh, but I knew her from months on the phone.”

TK gives him a mock-shocked look. “So you’re saying, if you had just met her at the honky tonk without your history, you wouldn’t have thought her worth your time?”

Judd looks almost comically shocked and pained before he lifts his hands in surrender and quickly amends, “Touché.”

“And besides,” TK starts, finally feeling ready to drop the bomb. “Last night wasn’t the first I saw of him…”

💞⚾ Continue on ao3 ⚾💞

Written for the @tarlosweeklyprompts Valentine's Fic Exchange and my giftee @sugdenlovesdingle. The prompt was: TK and Carlos meeting via the police vs fire baseball game when they’re on opposing teams (bonus points for a grey’s anatomy-like thing where they hook up the night before without knowing who the other is and then seeing them at the game).

The biggest, biggest thanks goes out to the amazing @lightningboltreader and @bonheur-cafe. These two spent the past few weeks explaining an American game that seems to have no rules to a European who had zero knowledge about it - and they did it in a way that said European was able to write a fic about it. I bow to you two! They also helped plot out every step of the game - Char, Dalawa, this fic truly wouldn't exist without your help, and for once, that's not just a phrase 😂

Noxy’s Tagging List: @chaotictarlos, @detective-giggles, @sgirl18,  @sapphire11, @bubblesandroses8, @firstprince-history-huh, @beautifulhigh, @rangergurlgleek1211, @shadesofdeviant, @otter-love-asl, @ramblingdisaster73, @first-kanaphan, @xtltokio, @lightningboltreader, @buckybarnesalways, @meditating-honey-badger, @mangacat201, @tarlossource

[beautifulhigh]

Tenderness and rot share a border (AO3 link) – Chapter 4/5 – 5k – rated M

When Carlos was a rookie cop he played a part in bringing down a major crime syndicate. Attention to detail, finding the connections others miss? He helped make the case which had roots all the way through the system.

Newlyweds Carlos and TK are returning  from their honeymoon, looking forward to starting their married lives together. Any ideas they had for what that would look like disappear when they are met at airport arrivals by their fathers, APD, and Texas Rangers.

Carlos’ past is crashing into his present and now the whole future they had planned is under threat.

---

When plotting this out I thought I would end this part earlier than I did. But I like where it ends a lot better, and I hope everyone who has been theorising about developments enjoys this.

Also god bless Nancy for the opening part to this fic.

---

The tour was short: kitchen, laundry room, living room, stairs up to two bedrooms and a bathroom. At the sight of a freshly made double bed TK couldn't help but laugh: the idea of not being cramped into the bunk for two nights being a joy he'd not expected.

As promised there was a bag on the master bed and he opened it, pulling out fresh clothes.

"I don't know what I want to do first," Carlos said. "I have a fully stocked kitchen and free reign, but I also have my husband all to myself. Without an audience."

"We need to eat," TK pointed out, moving over to the dresser and opening the top drawer. He hadn't realised how much he'd missed this simple joy of not living out of a bag.

"We won't starve any time soon," Carlos said, coming up behind TK and putting his hands on his hips. "Although we might need to get creative, don't think Mom would have packed any lube." He pressed a kiss into the curve of TK's neck, groaning a little in protest as TK peeled away from him.

 “I don't know about that."

 "Babe, as supportive and wonderful as Mom is about us? She absolutely would not be going through our bedside drawers or shopping in those aisles."

 "I don't think your mom is responsible for this," TK said, lifting a small gift bag that was sitting by the pillows. He upended it and several tubes and boxes fell onto the covers along with a folded piece of paper. "From Nance," he said, recognising the handwriting. He picked it up and laughed as he read it: "Didn't know what you liked, got a selection. Have fun."

Keep reading

[reyescarlos]

give me the future || a tarlos fic

summary: Carlos shares the good news of the potential next step in his career with TK; Carlos and TK host Andrea and Gabriel at their new home.

word count: 4.3k || read on ao3

So give me the future, it's golden and bright Catch a fever dream in the flash of the lights Now nothing is certain, and the song isn't done But new melodies rise up with the sun

Long nights aren’t at all uncommon in his line of work, but Carlos can admit––if only now in hindsight––that he’s pushed himself past his normal bounds.

It’d been worth still being awake when morning broke today. A few hours of lost sleep wasn’t much of a price to pay at all. It was time well spent that led him to a crucial break in the case. But as he takes the elevator up to his loft, Carlos feels the fatigue deep in his bones.

What he longs for now is a hot shower and a good night’s sleep. He rests his back against the elevator wall, his eyes closing for the brief trip up to his floor.

The adrenaline of finding Katie and getting her back to her parents is wearing off, but his mind still buzzes all the same, thinking once more about the look of sheer relief and gratitude in her parents’ eyes to see her again. He’d played a significant hand in reconnecting them, and now, Carlos can only hope they'll be on the road to healing from this traumatic ordeal.

His eyes flutter open once the elevator comes to a stop and dings as the doors open. The hall is silent, no doubt his neighbors have long since called it a night.

He fishes for his keys in his pocket and lets himself in quietly. He isn’t expecting to find the lights on or to see TK wide awake and smiling at him at this hour.

“Hey, babe,” TK calls out from the living room.

After going months on end coming home to an empty space, Carlos can barely put into words what it feels like to be greeted by TK, especially after such a harrowing day.

He toes off his shoes at the door and drops his bag down as well.

TK sits on the floor before the coffee table, the outline of a puzzle on the surface. TK’s has a few piles going with like-colored pieces.

Carlos settles in beside him, pressing a kiss to the cheek TK offers him, letting his nose skim across his skin for a moment before he pulls away.

“I’d ask how your night went, but the story was all over the news,” TK says, looking over at him.

Carlos shakes his head and busies himself with seeing what he can cobble together from the grouping closest to him.

“I feel like I’m living with a celebrity,” TK tacks on, no doubt picking up on how bashful this attention is making Carlos feel.

Carlos rolls his eyes and drags a puzzle piece over to him with his index finger. He holds it up and looks back at what TK has connected so far and spots where his piece fits.

“I was just doing my job.”

“You were doing the job of a detective and you did it so well that you saved a little girl. You went above and beyond. It’s incredible. APD is lucky to have you. They really should give you a raise for this.”

Carlos bites back on his lower lip and rolls a puzzle piece between his fingers.

“Funny you should say that, actually.”

TK looks up at him with a quizzical face, giving him his undivided attention.

Carlos relays his conversation with Detective Washington and how adamant she’d been in voicing her opinion on him taking this next step in his career. It’d been all Carlos could think about on the drive home and the more he talks, the more he’s dying to hear TK’s take on the matter.

“Could I really even do this? I mean, I’ve thought about it, sure, but never this seriously before. Now though…the idea’s got some legs to it.”

TK’s head lobs to the side as he scooches closer to him, their shoulders touching.

“I’m pretty sure you could take on the whole world if you wanted to. This isn’t even the first time your skills made one hell of a rescue. You saved my neck last year and Nancy’s and Tommy’s.”

As if Carlos could ever forget that godawful night. Far too much was at stake. He had to get that right.

“Look at what you did for this family. Because of you Katie is safe with her parents again. You’re brilliant, Carlos. Don’t go doubting yourself,” he says, reaching up a hand and gently massaging the nape of Carlos’ neck.

Carlos lets out a soft breath at the feel and relaxes a bit more under his boyfriend’s touch.

“But,” TK continues, a wide smile on his face, “if you feel yourself getting discouraged, just know that I believe in you enough for the both of us. There’s nothing you can’t do.”

Carlos smiles warmly at this, feeling a fluttering sensation in the pit of his stomach. He wonders if he’ll ever fully get used to this. If one day he won’t get butterflies and just learn to casually accept words like these from TK’s lips. He certainly hopes not.

“My biggest cheerleader,” he muses.

“And don’t you forget it.”

TK searches his face and it melts Carlos’ heart to see the admiration brimming in his boyfriend’s gaze.

“I’m so proud of you, Carlos,” TK says, putting into words what his face so clearly tells him.

All the same, it’s nice to hear it explicitly.

Carlos buries his face in the crook of his neck and breathes him in. His lips brush his throat and Carlos can feel the uptick in TK’s pulse at that brief bit of contact. It feels good to be this close, to feel the thrum of his blood racing beneath his skin. Carlos sighs, runs his palms across the expanse of TK’s back.

He pulls away and gets back to helping TK with the puzzle, finding a piece that connects to another.

“I’ll be your study buddy for the test, if you’d like that,” TK volunteers as he resumes work on the puzzle, too. “We can get a nice reward system going and everything. Incentive, you know?”

Carlos lifts a brow and eyes him suspiciously.

“You may wind up being a distraction. I’d imagine that’s actually part of your intent here.”

TK does his best to look affronted, but fails miserably.

“I’m offended by that accusation, Detective Reyes. I promise, my intentions are purely noble.”

Carlos' heart skips a beat at the word detective with his last name hitched to it. He can definitely get used to that, though it feels woefully premature to say it now.

“You’re going to jinx it.”

“No, I’m speaking it into existence,” TK counters. “The universe will do its thing. After all, you were meant for this. It’s bound to happen on its own anyway. I’m just…giving it a little nudge.”

TK leans in and pecks his lips, but Carlos suddenly craves more. TK’s unfailing belief in his capabilities just does something to him. He places his hands on either side of TK’s face and kisses him deeply, pouring everything he can’t find the words for into it. TK is pliant as ever and settles back against the ground the moment Carlos starts to lean into him.

Their puzzle is abandoned for the night in favor of other recreational activities.

~*~*~

“What’s on the menu for tonight?” TK asks, coming into the kitchen where Carlos is working on meal prep.

Carlos had extended an offer to his parents to join them for dinner tonight. It’s been far too long since Carlos has hosted anyone and with this new job prospect on the horizon, it just feels like the perfect time for guests.

It feels significant to have his parents be the first people they entertain in their new home together.

He does his best to block out the nerves creeping in over sharing his most recent life update with his parents, more so his dad. He thinks back to last year and his father expressing his pride over him uncovering where TK and the paramedics were being held. But to make an actual career out of detective work is an entirely different beast. Would Gabriel find him suited for the job?

“Honey glazed salmon with a simple spinach rice and seared vegetables,” he answers. “And, before you ask, I am making some of that fresh bread you like.”

“Have I told you lately that I love you?”

“Yes, Rod Stewart, you said quite a few times last night actually, in several octaves.”

TK hip checks him, but laughs.

“You’re the worst. What can I help you with?” he offers, looking at all the ingredients spread out on the counter.

“I’ll put you on vegetable duty.”

TK salutes him before going to the sink to wash his hands. They work together perfectly in the kitchen, orbiting each other as they move around to grab the things they need. This is far more in line with what Carlos had in mind all those months ago when they both first fell in love with this loft.

Little moments like preparing a meal together, sharing space. Building blocks towards a happily ever after. It makes Carlos so happy he can’t help but to steal kisses here and there. TK gets in a few of his own as well.

Time seems to move differently with his boyfriend and before Carlos realizes it, everything is set for the night. He and TK carry the dishes over to the dining room table, filling water glasses and adjusting place settings just so.

Now that the time is drawing so near for his parents to arrive, Carlos can feel himself growing a bit antsy.

TK must pick up on it because he comes close to him and settles his hands on Carlos’ chest, smoothing his palms against his button down shirt. The gesture gets Carlos’ heart racing for a completely different reason now. It’s enough to quiet the static in his head.

“Thank you,” he says simply. But he knows TK understands just how much it encompasses.

TK kisses his forehead just as a knock sounds on the door.

TK lets his hands fall away and Carlos heads for the front of the loft to greet his parents. He takes one last deep breath before reaching for the doorknob.

When he opens the door, he is immediately blinded by the big smile on his mother’s face. She hands the portable cake carrier she’s holding over to his father. Carlos sees a quick flash of strawberries and is all too happy to see she’s made her strawberry meringue–– one of his favorites.

She throws her arms open wide and Carlos goes willingly, letting himself be wrapped up in a hug from his mother.

“Mi amor,” she sighs as he crouches down and secures his arms around her in return.

“Hi, Ma. How are you?”

Andrea pulls back to look at him, one hand cupping his cheek.

“Better now that I’m seeing you.”

Her thumb brushes against his face. But as she looks past his shoulder, she moves away, and her arms open once more.

Carlos looks over his shoulder and sees TK bounding towards her. Carlos smiles to himself at the sight of his mother fussing over TK, no doubt checking in to make sure he’s still feeling well.

He turns back and looks to his father who pulls him into a quick side hug.

“Dad. I’m glad you guys could come over.”

“Thank you both for having us. We’ve missed these dinners.”

Carlos agrees; it’s yet another thing he’s happy to have back in place now that he and TK are together again.

Carlos leads them over to the living room where TK and his mother are standing about and chatting.

“Dinner’s actually ready,” Carlos says as TK shakes Gabriel’s hand.

Carlos frees his dad from the cake and it’s starting to feel more like a game of hot potato.

TK extends a hand, gesturing Andrea towards the dining area as Carlos makes a beeline for the kitchen and drops off tonight’s dessert. It’s silly to be feeling nervous about telling his parents what is very clearly good news. He knows that, rationally, and yet all logic has apparently slipped out the front door the moment he let his parents in.

He grips the edge of the counter with both hands and rolls the small bit of tension out of his neck.

“Relax.”

Carlos startles at the sound of TK’s voice in the room with him. He smiles quickly,  but TK knows him too well to be fooled by it.

“They’re going to be thrilled. This is an amazing thing that’s about to happen for you, Carlos. Your folks are going to be beyond happy, not to mention proud.”

For as much as Carlos hates to think about it, he knows his anxiety has always been his biggest personal adversary. He can easily work himself into a frenzy if he allows himself to think too much on certain matters. It’s something he’s actively trying to work on and having TK there to help him keep his calm does wonders for his state of mind. TK just gets him, even without him having to state what he’s thinking plainly.

TK drapes his arms over Carlos’ shoulders and Carlos leans forward, letting his forehead rest lightly against his boyfriend’s. He closes his eyes and just stands there for a few seconds, letting TK’s presence anchor him.

He nods once and TK kisses him quickly.

“Come on, let's not keep your parents waiting.”

TK holds onto his arm as they head back into the dining room. They settle in at the table, TK to his left and his mother right across from him.

“Dinner looks good, as always,” she compliments, her eyes raking over the spread.

Carlos beams. It’s thanks to her that he got into cooking in the first place. Getting her stamp of approval never gets old.

They all fall into easy conversation as they fix their plates and start to eat. Andrea begins telling Carlos the latest happenings on the ranch as TK and Gabriel talk about baseball, playfully trash talking each other’s teams.

It’s still surreal to look at his life now, and see all the ways in which it is playing out as he’d once been almost too afraid to want, for fear of never actually having it.

But here he is now, seated at a family dinner with the love of his life folded effortlessly into the mix as if he’s always somehow been a fixture. Conversation is easy throughout the meal with the four of them.

“I have some news I’d like to share,” Carlos says loudly enough to get everyone’s attention.

He looks over at TK who is already smiling at him encouragingly.

The space is quiet enough for Carlos to hear his mother take in a breath. He quickly turns to her and shakes his head. Her eyes are wide and it’s obvious where her thoughts are now.

“No, Ma. We aren’t there just yet,” he says, his face warming a bit as he hears his words play back. It’s the second admission in as many days about how he views his relationship with TK.

He looks back at his boyfriend again and is eased by the soft smile on TK’s face, every bit as smitten as Carlos feels now.

Yet.

The inevitability of him and TK taking that step is clear as day to everyone in the room. There’s no need to worry he’s being presumptuous.

It’s a matter of when not if with them.

His mother jokingly makes a face and sets her now empty plate to the side, her hands clasping on the tabletop.

“Okay, what’s this big news then?”

Carlos sits up and wipes at his mouth with his napkin before setting it down on his plate.

“I think you’re overselling it here. I just said it was news. I never claimed it was monumental or anything.”

“Maybe, but it’s clearly very important if it’s got you two so excited,” Andrea says.

“It’s going to be history if you don’t let him get it out already, my love,” Gabriel chimes in.

Andrea scowls jokingly and kisses her husband’s cheek, draping an arm over his shoulder. Both his parents look at him expectedly and Carlos feels his heart rate ratchet up a few more notches.

Beside Carlos, TK takes his hand under the table and laces their fingers, brushing his thumb against the back.

It’s just what Carlos needs to shake off his nerves a bit.

“Detective Washington thinks I should sit for the detective’s exam,” he blurts out.

Both his parents' eyes widen, but smiles quickly paint his mother’s lips. Andrea places a hand over her heart, her smile somehow growing wider. It’s bright enough to make the sun jealous.

“Carlos, that’s wonderful! You’re going to do it, yes?”

“I think I will. I feel ready. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous though.”

Andrea waves him off. “You’re going to be amazing at this. I just know it.”

Carlos’ eyes drift over to his father who has an unreadable expression on his face.

“Good work, Carlitos,” is all he says with a slight dip of his head.

Carlos fiddles with his fork, curious to know what thoughts linger in his dad’s head now. But he can’t bring himself to ask for more just then.

Dinner wraps and TK helps Carlos stack plates, but he gently declines TK’s offer to bring them into the kitchen. Carlos wants a small reprieve, a few short minutes to himself.

“I’ve got it,” he says, kissing TK’s temple before taking the dishes to the kitchen.

There had been nothing to worry about. Dinner went perfectly, just as the logical part of his brain—and TK— had ensured him it would. But anxiety had a funny way of clouding his perception and now Carlos can’t stop dwelling on his father’s quiet praise, wondering if there’s more below the surface.

At the sink, he turns on the water and adds soap to let the dishes soak.

His father steps into the kitchen, tossing a smile his way. Carlos shuts off the tap and turns to face him.

“So, detective, huh?” Gabriel says, taking a beer from the fridge.

Carlos runs a quick hand through his hair, runs a quick hand through his hair, draws in a breath and nods. He hadn’t been expecting his father to touch the subject again.

“Has a nice ring to it,” Gabriel continues.

Carlos doesn’t say anything, just leans back on the counter, his hands gripping the edge.

“You didn’t say much at the table. I was wondering if you approved.”

He recalls his mother’s words to him at TK’s hospital bedside a few weeks back, her telling him just how proud they both were of the man he is.

Carlos feels nerves in the pit of stomach and he does his best to school his features. But he knows his anxious eyes must give him away as his father looks at him.

“I was thinking about that time you were ten,” Gabriel begins. Carlos isn’t sure where he’s going with this, but he silently follows.

“It was the only time your mother and I were ever called to your school. We thought they had the wrong Carlos Reyes. Surely our boy couldn’t have been sent to the principal’s office. You were sticking up for that Ramirez kid. Quiet as you were, you couldn’t sit back and watch the other boys picking on him. You didn’t throw a single punch, just used your words when it mattered most. Stepped in when you felt you needed to, even though it meant putting yourself at risk, too.”

Carlos smiles to himself. It hadn’t seemed like much at the time. It’d just felt like the right thing to do, but his father’s eyes shine with such fondness at the memory.

“You didn’t even know that boy, but it mattered enough to you to help. All you’ve ever wanted to do was protect others. Classmates, the animals on the ranch. You care so much. It’s beautiful, Carlitos.”

Gabriel sighs and takes a sip of his drink.

“Maybe I’m truly getting to be an old man, but sometimes I can’t wrap my head around just how much time has passed and just how much you’ve grown.”

Gabriel almost sounds as if he’s far away, so lost he apparently is in his thoughts as he continues to speak.

“You’re not a little kid anymore, but you’ll always be my boy. My son with the big heart who cares so deeply about the world around him that he’s made it his life’s work to protect his community.”

His father’s eyes are thoughtful as his gaze settles back on him. Carlos doesn’t move an inch, just holds his breath as his thoughts race.

He’s spent so long thinking these very same characteristics were a hindrance in his father’s eyes. For a time, he knows that to have been the case. But this last year and a half has been impactful on their relationship and allowing them to truly see each other.

“I think Austin will be all the better with you as a detective,” Gabriel says decidedly.

He says it with such finality as if his opinion is law. Carlos feels lucky to be surrounded by people with such unshakeable faith in him.

“Thank you.”

Gabriel nods and turns the bottle he’s holding over in his hand.

“I know I haven’t always supported you in the ways I should have, Carlos, and I regret that. But I want you to know I’m always in your corner.”

Carlos’ eyes widen. He isn’t used to this kind of candor from his father. It means a great deal to hear it.

“You’re a good cop. But more than that, mijo, you’re a good man. Above all else, that’s what I’m proudest of when it comes to you,” he says, tapping his index finger against the center of Carlos’ chest.

In the next room, his mother’s laugh rents the air. Carlos wonders what she and TK must be talking about to earn a laugh like that out of her, but it puts a smile on his face.

All the people he loves most in the world are here in this space now, talking and bonding and growing in the love and appreciation they have for each other. It’s all he could have ever asked for in this life.

In a word, Carlos feels blessed to have this.

Gabriel lowers his hand and takes a breath, clearly ready to switch gears. He’s never been too big on emotions which makes Carlos all the more appreciative that he’s been learning how to open up more. In many respects, Carlos is learning how to do that, too.

“How are you feeling about the exam itself?”

“A little nervous, but in a good way. It’s exciting and it really meant a lot that Detective Washington thought I should go for it. That she sees my potential. I just hope that if I pass, I’ll be able to continue to do good work. So many of you believe in me. I want to go out there and really make a difference.”

Gabriel’s head tips slightly to the side.

“When you pass. You’ve got strong instincts. You’re compassionate, you’re resourceful. Don’t doubt your greatness. Step into it.”

Carlos lets those words wash over him. It’s the ultimate stamp of approval.

“So, you soon may have a detective for a son.”

Gabriel scrunches up his face jokingly.

“Eh, it’s no Texas Ranger…,” he trails off, puffing up his chest before laughing.

Carlos rolls his eyes and laughs too, playfully nudging his dad’s arm before growing a bit serious.

“Really though, thank you, Dad. This means a lot to me. More than you know.”

Gabriel steps closer and gently cups the back of his neck.

“I’ll be sure to tell you more often so you don’t forget or doubt it, but I couldn’t be happier. This is only the beginning for you.”

Carlos smiles at this as his father searches his eyes before pulling him in for a hug. Carlos’ chin rests on his dad’s shoulder for a moment before they pull away.

It feels as if a weight has been taken off his chest; Carlos can truly breathe easier now.

He turns his head slightly at motion in the corner of his eye. TK slowly comes into the kitchen, clearly feeling as if his timing is poor. Carlos smiles softly to reassure him he isn’t interrupting.

“I’m sorry. Andrea asked me to bring the cake over.”

“She’s got an even bigger sweet tooth than me, despite what she thinks. But we do have reason to celebrate,” Gabriel says, giving Carlos’ shoulder a quick squeeze before picking up the cake from the center island.

Carlos watches him go, sees his mom clap her hands together and strike up a conversation with his father as he removes the lid.

“Everything okay?” TK asks, coming closer to him.

He watches his parents over TK’s shoulder from where he stands in front of him now.

His past. These two people who raised him up from the moment he came into this world.

Carlos focuses back on TK, his blue-green eyes searching his face, so eager to provide comfort and support should Carlos need it now.

His present.

He thinks of all that is yet to come. His future with these people he loves so dearly backing him up.

His life feels so rich.

“Honestly, things have never been better than they are right now.”

His father’s words echo in his mind. This truly is just the beginning. The road ahead is laid out for him, filled with many unknowns. Within that are boundless opportunities, all his for the taking. He need only be bold enough to claim it.

[djdangerlove]

fluffy tarlos hc: we know that TK steals Carlos’s clothes all the time but Carlos can’t reciprocate bc he’s bigger than TK- but TK has a few oversized hoodies thar Carlos wears for comfort when TK’s on an overnight (TK def knows and buys more so Carlos has more of a selection)

Listen, I want nothing more than to see TK in Carlos’ APD jacket just one time on the show ... but here’s Carlos wearing TK’s hoodie for you, Anon! 🖤:

The weekend of Andrea’s birthday falls in the middle of a month where their schedules don’t line up at all. He hasn’t seen TK properly in weeks and the day Carlos is expected at the family ranch for his mom’s birthday party finds his boyfriend working half way through a forty-eight hour shift. 

Carlos himself has went through a rough patch of calls at work the last few days, making this weekend a much need break from it all. He put his disappointment that TK wouldn’t be joining him on the back burner though, his stress from work even more so because every time he spoke on the phone with his boyfriend he couldn’t bring himself to say anything that would diminish the happiness he could hear clear in his voice.

So instead, he fishes out the one oversized hoodie TK owns, a dusted pink one he hardly ever wears, and puts it on. The threads cling to a hint of rosewood from the soap TK prefers and the distinct smell of the fire station, the scent of both mingling together and making his breath come a little easier.

His drive to the ranch improves his mood even more, getting lost in the music playing through the radio a much needed distraction. But when he parks in front of his parents’ house, the engine cut and the air around him silent and still, that tingling sensation of panic fizzles across his chest. Rubbing at it does nothing to help, but he worries that if he stops it will consume him. He pulls his phone from the cup holder with his free hand and dials TK’s number with hopes that the man’s voice will calm him down.

It rings four times before it goes to voicemail, but the recording of TK’s chipper voice saying something silly actually helps to disintegrate the balloon of momentary panic trying to control him. The loud beep indicating it’s his turn to talk makes it pop completely as he jumps with a ridiculous laugh. He decides to leave a message equally as silly before hanging up and heading for the front door of the house.

It swings wide before he can get to the porch landing, his mother shouting his name and arms spread with the demand of a hug. His frame swallows her, suddenly struck with a melancholy feeling as he realizes he hasn’t been able to be enveloped by her since he was twelve because he out grew her. She pulls away to inspect him close, a knowing eye catching on to the sadness he tries to keep hidden.

“Come, come,” he ushers him, their arms linked as they walk into the house. “I have just the thing to cheer you up.”

“I don’t need cheering up. It’s your birthday,” he says, following her through the foyer. “I’m the one who is supposed to give you something.”

“Oh,” Andrea stops them both sharply at the corner leading to the kitchen. She raises a challenging brow at him and asks, “So you don’t want what I have for you? Be careful, Carlitos. Be very careful.”

Thinking she’s made him his favorite dessert or something of the sort, he laughs. “Okay, Mamá. I am hungry, so I’ll eat whatever it is.”

She blinks at him once, twice, and then swats at his arm with a laugh, “Oh, honey, that is...no, just come on you will see.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose as she pulls him forward, not in the mood to play guessing games with her no matter the occasion. It’s why he doesn’t see him at first, why the voice suddenly saying, “Hey, Babe,” doesn’t register until his mother’s arm leaves his and he’s suddenly being hugged by someone that can envelop him back.

“TK- what- how...” he stutters against his boyfriend’s neck as he pushes his face there to hide his surprise until he can’t wait a second longer to actually see him. “I thought you were working.”

TK smiles at him, traces Carlos’ cheeks with his thumbs as he searches his face for the things he tries to hide. He must find them, because the corners of his mouth tick down just a little bit and his gaze falls to the hoodie Carlos is wearing as do his hands.

“I was, but every time I talked to you I...I knew something was wrong.” TK says, raising an eyebrow that scarily resembles that of Andrea’s when Carlos tries to deny it. He feels TK fingers pinch the fabric of the pullover he’s wearing, a silent gesture they both know to mean: If you were fine, you wouldn’t be wearing this.

“I also knew that if I showed up at home you would assure me that you were fine and convince me to go back to work so when Tommy let me have the rest of shift, I drove straight here.”

Carlos feels the last week of emotions disappear like they were never there at all, feels the love he has for this man and the love he has for him in return wrap around his lungs and settle there. He reaches out to hug TK back, kissing his shoulder, his neck, his temple before leaning back to kiss him on the mouth.

“I love you,” Carlos says, unable to let go of him.

“I love you, too,” TK laughs and pats him on the cheek. “But you do realize you told your mom you were going to eat me, don’t you?”

“Oh God,” Carlos groans, burying his laugh against TK’s hair. “I thought she made me dessert or something. Not that she was hiding the love of my life in the kitchen.”

He feels TK stiffen in his arms, his own words catching up to him a split second later. He takes a breath to backtrack the seriousness of the statement but TK kisses him before he has the chance.

[holdyourbreathuntilyouseelight]

Hothead

Summary:  Extended station scene from 1x03 between Carlos and TK, from Carlos' POV. A snapshot of how they started to mend things between them after TK had stormed out on the date that Carlos had tried to spring on him.

Rating: General Audiences

A/N: I do not pretend to know anything about the inner workings of a police station, their rules and regulations or what sort of things are contained in their reports. Tried to be as realistic as I could but apologies for any inaccuracies.I also do not claim any ownership of 9-1-1 Lone Star or the associated characters. Pretty sure they own me instead... (:

First foray into the 9-1-1 fandom but hopefully not the last!

Read on AO3 here.

* * *

Carlos was flipping through the files on his desk, making sure he had signed off on the last of them, when a familiar name being spoken caught his attention.

"TK Strand, yeah. He's a firefighter with the 126. Guess he got a little hot-headed."

"You can't keep reusing the same joke every time something involves a firefighter, Ben, seriously."

Carlos looked up from his desk to see two of his colleagues ribbing each other, all talk and no malice.

Jill was right – Ben liked to reuse the same heat-related jokes about firefighters, but his curiosity was peaked over the implication in regards to TK.

"What's that about one of the 126 firefighters? Did they get hostile at a scene we were at or something?"

The two cops looked over at him in surprise. He wasn't normally one to join in on gossip.

"Nah, he was off duty. Started a fight at a bar. Provoked two built men that were drunk off their asses. Bartender called it in after security tried breaking it up."

Carlos felt his worry double. What was TK doing? Why was he picking a fight? He knew he had freaked out on him the other day, making it clear there was a lot more going on internally than he was letting on, but volunteering to get pummeled? That had to be a cry for help.

"EMS clear him?"

"Yeah, he's fine, just some cuts and bruises. He's cooled off now; just gotta process him, give him back his shit, and do the usual stern warning that means bull."

Carlos seized the presented opportunity, hoping Ben would take the bait. "Hey, if it's that easy, why don't I take over? Your shift just ended and I owe you for staying late when I had my abuela's birthday to run to. I've finished the last of my reports from that three car pile-up earlier, so I'm free."

"Well, me and Ella were supposed to do date night tonight… yeah, all right, Reyes. He's all yours. Thanks, man."

"Of course. Have a good time." Carlos said, trying to play it off casual, like it was no big deal, even though he was itching to corner TK and ask what the hell he was thinking. He didn't need his coworkers knowing details about his private life so it was better they didn't know he knew the guy more intimately than professional overlap.

"I think you still owe Spencer, Reyes. Pretty boy is easy on the eyes, even if he is an idiot who started a bar fight." Officer Porter teased.

Carlos didn't bite; the station knew he was out, at least most of them did, so it wasn't that weird of a comment. Reacting would only make it obvious that something had gone on between them and he didn't need a lecture from the sergeant on duty about professional conduct or bias.

Ben passed over the folder on his way to his desk. Carlos immediately sifted through it, scanning the pages quickly to learn the basics of what had gone down.

Caucasian male, mid-to-late twenties, athletic build. 0.0 BAC on breathalyzer test. No abnormalities on basic toxin screen. No prior records with APD. No registered fingerprints in American database. New York driver's license – Tyler Kennedy Strand. Firefighter identification lists station 126. Charges of assault and disturbing the peace dropped by others involved. Release from policy custody with warning.

He read further through the other two men's files, piecing together that the story detailed matched what he had already been told.

Carlos looked up as another one of his colleagues led a handcuffed TK to his work desk and nodded in his direction. He accepted the plastic bag of TK's belongings from Jill and headed over to his… well, he didn't really know what they were.

He watched as TK held an ice pack to his temple, the odd cough wheezing out of him. He probably had a bruised rib or two, if not fractured, and it no doubt left his chest extra tight.

Carlos strode over and dropped the plastic bag of belongings onto the desk without a word.

TK looked up and groaned at the sight of him. "Seriously?"

Carlos grimaced as he sat down. "Austin's a small town, TK. Or should I say, Tyler Kennedy."

"Ugh." TK grumbled, eyes closed as he kept the ice pack against the side of his head.

"Bummer about getting arrested – people might find out your real name. Which marks the first actual thing I've learned about you."

Being good with his mouth, hands, and body notwithstanding…

"Isn't your processing me, like, a conflict of interest?" TK asked, a thin shred of hope clinging to the words.

It wasn't really an issue, given that Carlos hadn't been the deciding officer on charges and, technically, he wasn't even sure what their relationship could be classified as in order to consider it. If anything, it would be their definable working relationship that was the issue, but most officers in the precinct would have the same problem since they all crossed paths at one time or another on the job.

Carlos chose not to answer him, instead changing the subject. "The good news is that neither of your new friends want to talk about that little scuffle tonight…" he explained while unlocking the cuffs around TK's wrists, trying not to react when their hands brushed in the process. "…and since you blew a 0.0, we're not even giving you a drunk and disorderly."

He finally freed TK entirely of the metal, and TK rubbed his wrists, still not looking at him straight on.

Carlos pushed the bag towards him. "You're free to go."

There was a pause as TK digested that.

"And what's the bad news?" he asked as he picked up his stuff.

Carlos inhaled. "The bad news is that means you did this with a clear head." He swallowed before leaning on the desk to bring them closer together, lowering his voice so any nosy coworkers couldn't overhear. "I'm not trying to be your boyfriend, or even your friend if you're not into it, but you should probably talk to someone about why you felt compelled to do something so suicidal."

TK's eyes held so much pain as he looked back at him that Carlos had to look away. Needing something to do with his hands before he grabbed TK and refused to let go, he tossed the tissue box in front of him.

"You've got a little crud there, by the way." he added, gesturing to the side of his mouth.

TK plucked a tissue out and rubbed at the opposite side of his mouth to where the blood had piled up.

"Other side." he said, staring unblinking at the computer screen without taking any of it in. He was way too hyperaware of the man he hadn't been able to get out of his head to concentrate on the words on the screen.

TK wiped closer to the spot but still missed and didn't get the bulk of it, so Carlos sighed and grabbed a tissue of his own.

"Stop. Just… let me."

Deep green eyes bore into his brown ones as Carlos gently wiped the area, managing to get at least the worst of it. Their gaze was locked so intensely, Carlos was half-expecting sparks to explode in the air. God, he wished he could read TK's mind. There was some sort of storm brewing behind his eyes and Carlos had no idea what kind of emotion was rolling in.

He pulled the tissue away, crushing it up in his fist to stop him from saying or doing something stupid. He had already put his heart on the line enough with the man. No need to solidify his humiliation any further.

"Thanks." TK muttered, looking away finally.

Carlos didn't look at him, pretending to be wrapped up with finalizing the paperwork on the computer.

TK leaned over the desk, crossing an arm over the space between them. "Hey. I'm sorry I went crazy on you the other night." he said softly.

Carlos didn't want to reveal all of his cards, but there was no denying the thrill that rolled through him that TK was trying to apologize for what went down between them the other day. It had been eating him up inside since. And if TK was bringing it up unprompted, maybe that meant it had been bothering him too. And that he actually wanted to mend things between them.

Carlos managed to play it cool and indifferent. "I'm a cop. I'm used to crazy."

"Look, I just went through a really bad breakup. Like, nuclear bad. And then I relapsed."

Carlos had turned his body to face him but couldn't look him in the face, instead busying himself with a report on his desk. "You mean with me?"

Great, he was just a mistake. A 'relapse'. Guess that meant TK slept around, or used to, and it really had meant nothing to him.

"No. I mean with substances."

Carlos finally looked up at that. He wasn't expecting the confession, nor the way that TK was exposing himself to him right then. TK had addiction issues? Had given up substances likely due to misuse or overuse and his breakup had been bad enough to trigger using again?

Something clicked in his memory from the other night and he felt shame wash over him. "Right. Which explains your reaction to the champagne."

He had never asked if TK was even a fan of champagne or alcohol in general. He should've been more respectful and anticipated the idea that maybe TK had a poor relationship with it, or a bad experience, or just wasn't interested in it at all. No wonder he got his back up right away – Carlos had been trying to have a proper date with him but he didn't know this important thing about him. And TK was still probably pretty raw after his relapse that even the pressure to be polite would've been enough to set off some ugly emotions. That he'd have to come up with an excuse or lie, because who wanted to reveal their deepest secrets that early on?

"I'm such an idiot. I'm-I'm sorry…"

TK cut off his stammering. "No, it's fine, okay? I just… ever since I got here, it's just… it's just grey. And I just feel numb, all the time. I guess I just… I wanted to feel something."

TK's eyes were wet now, and there was nothing but heartbreaking honesty reflecting out of them.

Carlos felt his own eyes filling with moisture. He didn't know what to say. Hearing that TK had been hurting so badly, that he still was struggling so much… it broke his heart.

TK slipped his wallet and phone out of the clear bag finally and stood up to leave, heading in direction of the exit without another word. It seemed he had said all he needed to say.

Carlos couldn't let him go yet, couldn't let that be the last thing said between them tonight. "Judging by that lip, I'd say mission accomplished."

TK stared at him in irritable disbelief, the barest hint of amusement at the edges. "You really busting my balls right now?"

"Yeah. I suppose I am." Carlos replied.

He couldn't help the way the corner of his mouth lifted in a slight smirk, and he felt his heart pick up its pace when he saw TK's expression break into one of his gorgeous smiles.

TK shook his head at him in mock-disappointment. "And all this time, I thought you were too good for me."

It was clearly meant in jest, but Carlos could detect the hidden truth behind the words. He was a little too stunned to say anything to dispute it, their easy banter normally coming naturally to him but he was drawing a blank.

It wasn't until the door closed behind him that Carlos moved, and then he was crossing the station to chase him outside.

"TK! Wait."

TK turned from where he was walking down the sidewalk, his movements more ginger now than they were in the station. He likely was in a lot more physical pain than he had let on.

Carlos stood in front of him and inhaled a breath in the hopes that it would instill some courage in him.

"Thank you for telling me all of that. I know that couldn't have been easy. But I want you to know, it doesn't change anything for me. I still want to be with you. Whenever you decide you're ready. I…" He exhaled shakily, glancing down at his shoes as he tried to dig for that bravery somewhere deep inside him. "I really like you, TK. Not just because you're the best sex I've ever had. I… there's something here. I feel it when I'm around you. You're… you're special. You make me feel… so many things I don't know how to name yet."

Great, now he was rambling. Even better, making it clear how much of a lovesick fool he was over the guy. That wouldn't freak him out or anything.

He corrected his throat, trying to calm his anxiety. "Look, all I'm saying is that if you feel anything for me, I can be patient. I can wait until you're more ready. I think you're worth the wait."

TK's responding smile could outshine the sun. He wasted no time in coiling his arms around Carlos' waist and burying his face in his shoulder.

"I really like you too. And I do want to give this a shot. Just… when it has a better chance of not blowing up before it gets started."

Carlos pressed a quick kiss to his good temple before pulling back.

"For now, try to stay out of trouble, okay? You won't always be so lucky to get such an understanding cop like me processing you at the station."

TK blew out an exasperated breath that turned into a laugh. "I'll do my best."

Carlos couldn't help grinning at him, a much bigger fan of a laughing and teasing TK than a shattered and beaten one.

"I should get back. You gonna be okay to get home?"

TK nodded. "Yeah I already called a ride."

"Well, see you later then." Carlos said, not really sure how to be less awkward as he headed back up the stairs to return to the station.

"Hey, Carlos?"

He turned around. "Yeah?"

"Best sex you've ever had, huh?"

TK was sporting his cockiest grin, and Carlos wished he could kiss it off of his stupid smug face.

"You would pick that as the only takeaway from that whole speech…"

TK chuckled. "No, I remember it all. I just latched onto that because it was the same for me too."

Carlos took an extra second to process and then he felt himself flushing in pride.

TK's smile softened, no doubt reading his reaction even from several feet away. "Goodnight, Officer Reyes." he said cheekily as he moved towards the car marked with the Uber sticker that had pulled up.

Carlos could only watch as the car drove off into the night.

He felt a little bereft being apart from TK after all the honesty of the evening. Something about being so vulnerable together gave him the urge to be within close quarters, not wanting to give up the resulting rush that came with exposing your heart and having it be safe with the other person.

But Carlos knew that TK needed time. And he was willing to wait as long as it took.

For now, he returned to his desk, this time with a little more of a spring in his step.

[tngrace]

Hoodies are for Comfort

Based off the promo for 2.08 & helped along by @moviegeek03 . Girl your support means everything & I hope this fic delivers everything you want 

GTHB Masterlist; Read on A03

Carlos was currently holding his boyfriend on the couch with the TV playing quietly in the background. TK was currently wearing his favorite grey hoodie and over top of that was Carlos’s zip-up APD hoodie with sweats and two pairs of socks. TK always insisted he likes Carlos’s hoodies better because they always provided more comfort. So Carlos had done his best to find one that would fit over the one TK was currently wearing, even though his hoodies usually swallowed TK whole. TK also had every blanket from the living room laid over him, and he was still shivering a little. Carlos hated it; he just wanted to warm TK up. 

“Hey, you still awake?” he murmurs as he cards a hand through TK’s hair being as careful as possible of the stitches in the back of his head. 

"Mmmm," TK hums softly as he leans back on Carlos more.

"Mmm is not good enough," Carlos teases as he kisses the back of TK's neck.

"Babe," TK whines softly as he burrows further in the covers and hoodies.

"I know. I'm sorry. But I can't let you sleep yet. That's what we promised the doctor when he released you. Otherwise you'd still be there."

"I know," TK sighs. "But I just wanna sleep and it's too cold."

Carlos runs a hand to TK's forehead. "You're pretty warm mi amor." Hr reaches for the thermometer on the side table beside him. He holds it to TK's ear and watches the numbers rise filling him with more relief. "You're right below normal," Carlos tells him, showing him the thermometer.

TK nods as he relaxes more into Carlos. "Can probably sleep for a little bit," TK murmurs.

Carlos let's out a soft sigh. "Ok short nap. I'm waking you in an hour," he says as TK gets comfy, being careful of the bruises and stitches. Carlos tucks the blankets around him more, and sets an alarm to wake TK in an hour. He softly keeps his hand moving through TK's hair as TK falls right to sleep.

Carlos softly kisses his head as he thinks back over the most stressful twenty-four hours of his life.

When he'd gotten the call from Owen that the entire paramedic team was not responding and appeared off grid going on an hour and half, he'd felt worried. When he'd broken away from his dad with the excuse of a case even though he'd just clocked out, he thought they'd find them quickly. Only he discovered the empty parking garage, and TK wasn't answering his calls, texts or SOS messages.

They reported it like they were supposed to, Grace having already alerted her supervisors the paramedics weren't responding. His entire precinct was on the case, even some of his off duty friends coming in to help. The 126 team still descended on the parking garage as one unit, but split off into pairs to looks for their missing members not wanting to be left out of the search for their family. Judd declared he was going with Carlos, having taken on the captain role for Owen who was equally distressed he couldn't reach his son. Paul took Owen leaving Marjan and Mateo to team up.

Carlos nods knowing Judd is right, so they stop for coffee and a sandwich. Judd makes the comment trying to fill the silence and distract Carlos about wrapping TK in bubble wrap and never letting him leave the station again, and Carlos can't help but agree. He thought the medic job would be safer and he wouldn't have to worry about grey hair just yet. But TK, as always, is proving him wrong. "Hey, isn't your dad a Ranger?" Judd asks.

After three hours of looking and tracing every step they could think of with no luck, Carlos was at his wits in. Judd was making him take a coffee break, despite his instance to keep going. "Carlos, you're not gonna be any good to him if you don't take a minute for yourself. Believe me I wanna find him just as bad, but he's gonna need you in top shape."

"Yea. Why?" Carlos asks confused at the change in direction of conversation.

"Just thinking he might have some pull somewhere we could use."

Carlos nods as he thinks it over. It doesn't take him long and he's pulling out his phone making the call. He gives his dad the short version and agrees to wait for him at the coffee shop. "He doesn't know about us," Carlos tells Judd quietly not meeting his eyes.

"I know. TK told me. I won't tell your secret Reyes, but I hate to be the one to break it to ya. If your dad is anywhere as smart as I image he is, he's going to figure it out. You're not gonna be able to hide that emotion," Judd says gesturing to his face.

Carlos nods knowing Judd is right. They sit in silence for a few more minutes before he sees his dad's truck pull up behind Judd's. "Could you give me a minute with him? I'll tell him, then we can go."

"Course," Judd nods as he heads out to his truck, nodding at Carlos's dad as he goes. Carlos tells his dad the truth, that one of the missing paramedics is his boyfriend and that he'll explain more on that later, before he tells his dad all the case facts they know. "We'll find him," Gabriel says squeezing Carlos's shoulder. Carlos does his best to hold back the tears, but one does escape.

They leave the little coffee shop in Gabriel's truck as Gabriel makes some calls. As they drive around Carlos explains things to his dad, Judd having decided to follow them so Carlos could speak freely. He hates the pained look on his dad's face when he explains why he lied and how long he and TK had been a couple, but thankfully he doesn't press Carlos for more than he's willing to share just yet.

It takes another 2 hours before TK's phone location comes back on; it takes another 30 minutes for them to get to the location. Carlos and his dad go in guns drawn not waiting for backup having gotten a text Nancy covertly sent from TK's phone because his was the only one not busted. The rest of the 126 arrive not long after them. Tommy and Nancy appear unhurt, but shook up and terrified. When Nancy told Carlos that TK was in the freezer, he panicked. He opened the door and saw TK slumped against the wall passed out with blood on the back of his head. Thankfully he hadn't been in there too long Tommy informed them, but long enough his body temperature had dropped, and he had stopped shaking despite the cold.

Gabriel shooed Carlos into the back of the ambulance with the promise to talk to Andrea for him and to check on them soon. "Thanks Dad" Carlos says trying to hold back his tears as he climbed in the back with his boy. It took several hours in the ER for TK to get stitched up from being pistol whipped Carlos learned, and for his temperature to come up enough for them to be released. He had a concussion, six stitches and several bruises on top of almost severe hypothermia. They're discharged about eight am with strict instructions to take it easy and return if TK's symptoms worsen.

Carlos let's out another soft sigh as he kisses the top of TK's head glad his boy is safe in his arms once more. Today, well yesterday at this point, had been one of the scariest of his life. He didn't know what he'd do if he ever really lost TK. He knows he needs to call his parents too; needs to properly talk to them about the new bomb he just dropped on them, but he can't bring himself to do it just yet. He feels emotionally drained, but he can't sleep either, fearing something will happen to TK while he's asleep.

"You're thinking too much," he hears murmured as TK tries to burrow closer. Even though his temperature is almost back to normal, he can't shake the cold feeling.

"Sorry cariño," Carlos whispers as he adjusts to TK's wiggling. He tucks the blankets around him more, and before he can ask TK if he's ok, there is a knock at his door making him furrow his brow. He silences his alarm to wake TK, even though TK woke on his own, thankfully. 

"Who the?" He questions not happy about the interruption.

"Probably dad," TK sighs knowing Owen has asked for hourly updates, which he thought was a little ridiculous. He knows his dad wants to talk about his and his mom's previous behavior, and try to make amends, but TK just isn't ready to deal with his parents’ problems yet.

Carlos rearranges TK on the couch before he goes to open the door. Carlos is extremely shocked when he opens it to see his parents standing there. Gabriel is holding a crock pot that Carlos is almost positive is full by the smell, and Andrea is holding a rather large bag.

"Mamì? Dad?" Carlos greets as he opens the door wider at Andrea's expectant look.

"Carlitos," she smiles patting his cheek as she walks by.

"Don't try and argue with her mijo," Gabriel says heading for the kitchen when he sees the argument forming on the tip of Carlos’s tongue.

"Don't you dare," Andrea says to TK when she sees him trying to sit up and uncover. "I hear you've had a rather rough day TK. So please stay put," she says as Carlos stares on with the most adorably confused face.

She turns to her son next, "Well Carlitos not even a hug again?" She questions with a grin reminding them of the farmer's market day.

"Mamì," he groans but he does hug her. "What are you doing here?" He finally asks.

"Manners mijo! I raised you better than that," she scolds making TK giggle a little as Carlos blushes. He does finally make his way back to the couch to help TK prop up more as Andrea pushes him that way. He sits beside him, TK understanding Carlos is not comfortable with a lap full of boyfriend in front of his parents.

"Your dad explained everything that happened," Andrea starts as Gabriel joins them, and they finally sit across from the boys. "So I made your favorite Chile Verde for you two and brought a surprise," she says with a large grin as she finally digs into the bag she carried in.

"You really didn't have to go through all this trouble mam," TK says as Andrea starts pulling out a gorgeous quilt. He sees Carlos's eyes go wide and is slightly confused.

"Nonsense," Andrea says carrying the quilt over to the couch. “And you don’t have to ‘mam’ me even though it’s sweet,” she grins at him. Carlos still hasn't said anything, and it's really stressing TK out. "Besides I wanted to. Chile Verde is Carlos's favorite soup, and it will warm you right up. This will too," she says tucking the quilt around TK atop his mound of blankets. "This was Carlos's favorite, especially when he was sick. His Abuela made it when Gabriel and I got married. Carlos always told me he wanted it when he was older. His sisters all have one picked out as well, and I figured now would be a good time to give it to him."

"Mamì," Carlos finally chokes out his eyes filled with tears. TK sneaks a hand out from under all the blankets and lays it on Carlos's knee giving it a squeeze.

Andrea moves over and cups Carlos's cheek before kissing his forehead. "Shhh mijo," she whispers as she wipes his tears, hearing everything he can't say just yet. "We love you, and that's all that needs to be said right now," she whispers hearing her husband agree.

Carlos nods and let’s his mama hug him tight. He feels TK squeezing his knee. “Gracìas Mamì,” he murmurs as she moves back to sit by Gabriel. 

They stay a little longer, getting to know TK, which helps Carlos keep him awake a while longer. The soup is absolutely delicious, and TK praises Andrea for passing her culinary skills on to Carlos. When they see both boys on the verge of crashing from exhaustion, they decide to head back to the ranch. Andrea makes them promise to come out for Sunday dinner soon as well as call if they were to need anything in the coming days. Carlos promises they will, and promises to have dinner even sooner with just his parents so they can talk like they need to.

Once he sees them out, he helps TK up off the couch to go to bed. TK insists on taking the quilt because it is super warm and will look amazing on their bed. They curl up together, TK finally feeling warm and happy and Carlos feeling exhausted enough to sleep. Things might not always be perfect, but they'll always have each other and their family.

[bellakitse]

The Last of the Romantics

Michelle has a history of setting Carlos up with the worse guys possible, she swears this time it's different.

* “Tell me about him,” he says resigned, knowing he’s been played by the way Michelle instantly perks up.

“He’s one of the new members at the 126,” she starts with a grin. “And Carlos, he’s so pretty.”

30 days of Tarlos - Day 3

Inspired by @lauraperfectinsanity prompt here

There is a bright devious smile on Michelle’s face when Carlos sits down across from her for their lunch. It’s familiar, and it sends a chill down his spine when paired with her earlier message to him that he just had to meet her for lunch.

“No,” he says as he puts his plate on the table.

“You haven’t even heard what I have to say,” she complains.

“Yeah, because we haven’t been friends for over seven years,” he says sarcastically, rolling his eyes as he squeezes lime juice over his carnitas tacos. “Not like I don’t know your ‘I found the perfect guy for you this time, Carlos, really’ face.”

He raises a brow at her, daring her to prove him wrong, and Michelle frowns back at him, pouting for all of ten seconds before she’s smiling again all cheery.

“Fine, you’re right,” she starts, holding up a hand when he starts to groan. “But this time, I did find the perfect guy for you, so stop giving me that face.”

Carlos looks at her for a moment, and she locks eyes with him, staring back in a battle of wills.

“That’s what you said about Robert Greene,” he says, pleased when Michelle makes a face at the name.

“He – “ she starts, ready to argue.

“Was in a cult,” he says, not giving her the chance.

“Okay so maybe – “

“Then there was that EMT acquaintance of yours, Joe?” he says like he doesn’t remember the weirdo. “With the extreme medical kink he wanted to take into the bedroom.”

“He was gross,” she admits with a shudder.

“Michael,” he continues with emphasis. “Who I still say was a drug mule and wanted to use me as an alibi.”

Michelle lets out a huff, rolling her eyes at him. “Do you have a point, Carlos?”

“My point,” he says back with as much attitude as she’s giving him. “Is that when you find the ‘perfect guy’ for me, he ends up being a weirdo, a creep, or a criminal. I love you, Michelle, but you suck at matchmaking.”

Michelle’s shoulders drop, making him feel bad instantly. He tries hard not to cave, he knows from too many bad dates – not just the three men he mentioned – that Michelle’s taste in men for him is awful. Still, he’s never been good at saying no to his friend, so with a deep sigh, he gives in.

“Tell me about him,” he says resigned, knowing he’s been played by the way Michelle instantly perks up.

“He’s one of the new members at the 126,” she starts with a grin. “And Carlos, he’s so pretty.”

Carlos listens to his friend as she sings the praises of this new guy, the Captain’s son, himself a firefighter, handsome, and friendly, according to her. And although Michelle’s track record is horrible, he finds himself agreeing to stop by the firehouse some evening for dinner to meet the guy.

֍֍֍

 There isn’t a chance for the dinner until two weeks later; his schedule gets insane as they work on a string of home invasions. Before they lost the original 126, he used to come to the firehouse all the time. They were his friends; it wasn’t easy to go back after losing them, but as he walks into the house, so different from before, he lets out the breath he’s been holding as he finds an entirely different place. It makes it easier to be there.

“Reyes!” he hears someone shout out, and he finds himself smiling as he looks up to find Judd Ryder on top of one of the trucks with another firefighter, his back to him.

“Hey, Judd,” he greets his friend with a wave as he walks towards him.

Judd climbs down from the rig, a broad smile on his face that Carlos hasn’t seen in a while. He gives him a back-slapping hug, knocking the air out of him for a moment. Over Judd’s shoulder, he sees that his friend’s crew member has also climbed down the truck, a smirk on his face as Judd hugs him tight.

“It’s been a while, kid,” Judd says as he pulls back, smiles still firmly in place. “What brings you by?”

“Michelle,” he answers, rolling his eyes. “She invited me to dinner to meet the new crew,” he says meaningfully and knows Judd understands by the way his eyes light up with amusement. He’s known Judd and his wife Grace almost as long as he’s known Michelle; as a result, Judd has had a front-row seat to Michelle’s matchmaking for years.

“Ah,” he says knowingly. “Well then, allow me to introduce you to my boy here,” Judd turns to his friend with a smirk. “Pretty sure he’s who Michelle wants you to meet. This is TK Strand, TK; this is Carlos Reyes from the APD.”

Carlos locks eyes with the man his friend is introducing to him and quickly concludes that Michelle sold him short when describing him. She said he was handsome, but TK Strand is so much more than that. He’s downright gorgeous, with beautiful bottle-green eyes, soft-looking brown hair, and a face that leaves Carlos a little stunned as he stares back. The rest of him, dressed in a fitted grey Austin Fire shirt and black work pants, is downright drool-worthy.

“Yeah,” TK says with a nod of his head. “Captain Blake has mentioned you once or twice,” a slow-building grin crossing his kissable mouth. “Or maybe a dozen times, she seems to think we’d hit it off.”

Carlos cringes at the laughter he hears in TK’s voice. Damn it, Michelle.

“So, tell me why you’re the perfect guy for me,” TK continues bluntly, the smirk on his face is as sexy as it is annoying.

Carlos’ eyes go wide as he chokes on his own saliva. “Excuse me?” he asks, his voice higher than he would like.

TK holds up his hands in front of him, giving him a shrug that just draws his attention to his nice-looking arms in that tight shirt of his. “Hey, that’s what Michelle said,” he tells him, and Carlos can feel his face go red with embarrassment. He glares at Judd when the older man chuckles at his expense.

“I’m gonna go check on dinner,” Judd says, taking a few steps away, barely hiding his continued amusement. “You’re lucky Reyes, Strickland is cooking tonight, and he’s really good. Almost as good as you. So stick around.”

He turns away, heading for the kitchen, leaving Carlos with a grinning TK.

“Please tell me she didn’t say that,” he begs once they’re alone. “Please.”

“Sorry,” TK answers, wrinkling his nose adorably, and Carlos has to bite down on his lip to keep from whimpering at just how cute he is.

“She didn’t out and out say it, but she also hasn’t been subtle about it at all, and I know a matchmaking scheme when I hear one,” TK grins again before slowly looking him up and down. ���She’s been telling me about your many, many attributes.”

“Fuck me,” Carlos groans, rubbing a hand over his face.

“Take me out on a date first, and then we’ll see about that,” TK answers easily, and Carlos finds himself staring at the handsome guy in front of him with eyes wide as saucers.

“Are you serious?” he asks after he collects his tongue off the ground.

TK smiles at him again, a little shy for someone who just suggested they might sleep together, and Carlos is weirdly charmed by the contradiction.

“Michelle made you sound like a dream,” he confesses. “And you look like a walking, wet dream,” he flirts, brazen again.

It makes Carlos dizzy with excitement as he tries to stay on his toes and keep up.

“Michelle is my best friend; she likes to hype me up,” he tells him. He likes TK already, he’s more than willing to take him on a date and see if this electricity he feels between them can be the start of something, but he doesn’t want the guy to go in with unrealistic expectations. “I would love to take you out, but you need to know I’m just a regular guy, I don’t want you to be disappointed.”

TK’s expression turns gentle at his words; his green eyes are soft and kind.

“If even a third of what she told me about you is true,” he starts to say softly. “Then there’s no way I’ll be disappointed.”

Carlos smiles back at him; he feels himself humming with anticipation. “How does Friday sound then? Dinner?”

“Friday works,” TK grins back at him happily. “Now come on, you didn’t just come to meet me, and Judd wasn’t kidding, Paul’s food is fantastic,” he tells him.

Proving that he’s not done surprising him, TK holds out his hand to him.

He stares at it for a moment before taking it, letting out a small gasp at the way his body lights up when he and TK touch. The amazed look TK gives him back tells him he’s not the only one who felt it.

It’s that feeling, the touch of TK’s hand, and the prospect of Friday and with any hope, many Fridays to come, that keeps him from rolling his eyes when he and TK walk into the kitchen, and he locks eyes with a smirking Michelle.

If she finally hit a home run on the matchmaking – and he thinks as he looks at TK only to find his eyes already on him that maybe she has – he’ll let her be smug forever.

[lauraperfectinsanity]

1) Different First Meeting: Carlos, while patrolling, gets into a car accident. He isn’t seriously injured, but he’s stuck in his car and concussed. He gets rescued by TK and the newly re-formed Station 126. Concussed Carlos flirts non-stop with the gorgeous firefighter but when he wakes up in the hospital, he thinks he hallucinated the guy to his rescue.  ------> “You and I, Collide” by @bellakitse

2) TK is obviously seeing someone. Everyone at 126 can see that, but they don’t know who the mystery guy is (they tried to pry the information from TK, but he’s tight-lipped). One night, while the team is out at the bar with the paramedic team and Carlos, Paul’s attention is caught by TK’s hand on Carlos’ hip while passing him by. He does his “thing” and observes them: the subtle smiles and looks, the subtle flirting and touching, a longing look while the other walks away and a little jealousy when someone approaches the other. They aren’t obvious, but Paul puts together the pieces and ends up blurting out “YOU’RE THE MYSTERY GUY!”. ------> “Secret Smiles” by @brillliantbanshee​

3) Different First Meeting: In the first weeks in Austin, the station 126 is still under renovation, and TK, used to take advantage of his station’s gym equipments, needs to find himself a gym to go to. The one he chooses, happens to be the favorite of a certain APD’s officer.  ------> “One for the Pro Column” by @bellakitse​

4) Michelle has been trying for years to find a boyfriend for her best friend Carlos. Everytime she tried to introduce him someone, though, it ends up a failure. When Michelle meets the new firefighting crew of the Station 126 and meets TK Strand, she’s sure she has found the perfect fit for Carlos. Carlos is very skeptical, despite Michelle’s descriptions and praises of the guy (he has experience with her terrible matchmaking skills), but he still agrees to stop by the station.  ------> “The Last of the Romantics” by @bellakitse

5) A couple of Carlos’ sisters are out one night. When they spot their brother, they’re about to say hi, when they notice he’s not alone. It looks like their brother is picking up takeout food with a gorgeous guy and it looks like they aren’t just friends. The two scheme on how to bring up the topic with their brother, and they decide to do it at family dinner, in front of everyone.

6) The 126 tries to guess TK’s full name for years, but the mystery remains unsolved. The mystery is solved when Carlos proposes to him, calling him “Tyler Kennedy Strand”. ------> “The Name of the Game” by Gwenders

7) Carlos and TK have the same phone’s model. One morning, while in a hurry, TK grabs accidentally Carlos’ phone. He’s waiting for a call so, when the phone rings, he doesn’t even look at the caller ID and answers. He doesn’t expect it to be someone looking for Carlos, his mother. ------> “Crossed Connections” by Aklusmos 

8) The 126 firefighting crew, the paramedics team and Carlos are out at their favorite bar for the night. Carlos needs to unwind a bit after a difficult week and he’s slightly drunk, but also really cute, clingy with his boyfriend and filterless. ------> “Cuervo Confessions” by @bellakitse 

9) The 126 answers a call about an unconscious vlogger who passed out during a live video. TK brings down the door, they enter the apartment and set to help the unconscious patient, unknowingly, in front of the live camera. Despite Marjan, Paul and Mateo’s ongoing competition for social media fame, it’s TK who steals the show and goes viral, becoming, unwillingly, an internet sensation. (NOT SPECIFICALLY A TARLOS PROMPT, BUT STILL COULD BE ONE)

10) It’s Carlos’ birthday and his family is planning a surprise party for him at his own apartment, for when he gets home after his shift. They turn off the lights and wait for him to come home. But it’s actually Carlos that surprises them all when he shows up while passionately kissing, making out and undressing with a unknown guy (like in 1x02).  ------> “Birthday Surprises” by Aklusmos

11) The 126 answers a call about a car accident. In one of the cars there’s a woman, not too badly hurt but stuck in the car. TK crawls in the car wreck to check on her while the others work on how to free her. The woman says something about him being charming and probably being a ladies’ man, but he tells her he plays for the other team (like with Owen’s chemo friend in 1x05). The woman is even happier and she tells him she has a very handsome and single gay son, but TK, even if endeared, tells her his boyfriend wouldn’t approve. But TK is shocked when a frantic Carlos shows up, cause the woman in the car is actually his mother (and yes, she doesn’t know her son has a boyfriend). ------> “Collisions” by Aklusmos

12) TK and Carlos have been chosen to go to their district’s high school for Career Week representing, respectively, the Fire and Police Departments, to have someone closer to the students’ age. The students expect the usual middle aged guys when the two come in. ------> “Somebody Call 9-1-1″ by Aklusmos

13) Owen comes back home a day early from a short trip. The last thing he’s expecting is to find his son with a naked man in his bed (Is that Officer Reyes??). TK insists it’s a casual thing with no labels and little feelings, but the leftovers of a romantic dinner and the way the two behave and kiss each other goodbye, tell Owen otherwise. 

14) When his sister asks Carlos to quickly borrow his phone to make a call, he doesn’t think twice about lending it to her. What she finds is a photo of her brother with a hot guy as the home and lock screen. ------> “Shout it to the World” by @brillliantbanshee​

15) When TK and Carlos hooked up, it was always a rush thing, never even reaching the bedroom, and always ending with TK leaving before even getting to catch his breath. TK tried not to get too attached, even though he’s actually a really cuddly person, especially after sex. With the time passing and them getting to know each other, Carlos starts to see glimpses of this side of his non-boyfriend. When they officially get together, TK has no reasons to hide his cuddly side from Carlos.

16) TK is at the mall looking for a present, when he meets a little kid who lost their mom and uncle in the mall. TK is pretty good with kids and is still in uniform, so the kid trusts him and goes with him to the information desk to call for their mom. TK certainly doesn’t expect for his brand new boyfriend Carlos to show up with his sister, the kid’s mother. ------> “Let’s Go to the Mall” by @bellakitse

17) Mateo is out with some friends one night, when he spots TK. He’s about to call out to him to say hi and maybe invite him to join them, when he notices TK isn’t alone, he’s with officer Reyes and yep, they’re kissing. He doesn’t know what to do with that information and decides to keep it to himself, until one day he accidentally blurts it out to everybody.

18) One morning, Carlos shows up at the 126. Owen thinks officer Reyes is there to give him, the Fire Captain, some documents, or he’s there to meet with Michelle, since he knows they’re good friends. Instead, Carlos surprises him by being there to bring TK the phone he left at his apartment that morning.

19) TK has to go back to NYC for an old friend’s wedding and he brings Carlos as his date, even if they’re dating for only a few months. At the reception, they meet Alex, who thought he would meet an heartbroken and lonely TK, begging to be taken back (THIS IS AN ALTERNATE VERSION OF THE PROMPT #20).  ------> “A Puzzle I Love to Solve” by @brillliantbanshee​

20) TK has to go back to NYC for an old friend's wedding. At the reception, among the guests there's Alex who's hoping to meet his old boyfriend TK to reconnect and maybe give their story a new chance. All his hopes are gone, when TK shows up with a husband and their kid (THIS IS AN ALTERNATE VERSION OF THE PROMPT #19).

21) TK and Carlos are casually seeing each other without putting labels on it and without the others knowing. TK spent the night at Carlos’ apartment, but he wakes up very late, he doesn’t have a car and waiting for a uber is a further waste of time. It’s Carlos’ day off and he offers him to take his car. TK then shows up at the 126 with a gorgeous blue Camaro, among everyone’s surprise.

22) TK and Carlos are casually seeing each other, without putting labels on it and without TK’s team and dad knowing. One night, TK bails on a team outing with an excuse, to see Carlos, when they accidentally end up at the same place as the 126.  ------> “Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Aklusmos

23) In the middle of the night, while on shift, Marjan wakes up to grab a glass of water, and finds an unusually soft TK talking to someone over the phone. It’s obvious it’s someone important to TK and Marjan is so very curious (TK and Marjan’s friendship). ------> “Midnight Talk About Boys” by @bellakitse

24) During a call, a guy shamelessly flirts with TK while he works, and Carlos shamelessly glares at the guy while trying not to arrest him.

25) TK and Carlos are seeing each other, without labels and without TK’s team and dad knowing. One night, the two accidentally fall asleep at TK’s house, and, in the morning, Carlos is a little late sneaking out and ends up reaching for the door in the exact moment Owen comes back home from the night shift.

26) One morning, TK is still asleep at Carlos’ house, while the latter is already at work. TK wakes up hearing sounds in the house and is getting ready to face a possible intruder, when he finds a middle aged woman in the kitchen re-stocking the fridge. It sure isn’t how TK thought he’d meet his boyfriend’s mother.

27) One of Carlos’ siblings is getting married and Carlos asks TK to go to the wedding with him as his date, and to introduce him to his family.

28) Carlos is injured on the job, nothing serious, but he’s in a hospital room with his entire family fretting over him, when a frantic TK, in uniform, shows up. Time to meet the family that didn’t know you existed!

29) Carlos is bringing his brand new boyfriend to a family BBQ to introduce him to his family. During the party, though, one of Carlos’ cousin, who’s pregnant, is starting to go into labor there, in the house backyard. Luckily, there’s a very calm and professional TK, who has experience in helping pregnant women and delivering babies.