#i love that they were like 'tk is home alone. what is he doing?' 'clearly he's hanging out with his lizard on his leg while watching tv'
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guardian-angle22 · 2 months ago
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Hey! I appreciate how hard making things is. <3 Maybe a gif of TK and Lou 2? Cute animal and TK being cute as a win win. Only if you feel up to that ofcourse.
[response to my request for gif prompts post here]
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lonestardust · 29 days ago
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The funniest thing is that both of those mentions of sleeping in together were before/during a conversation about having kids.
Anyway, I love your takes on justice and the closure it brings, because I've definately seen some things that annoyed me. Some people just skate over the trauma Carlos has after hearing his father being shot in the doorway of his childhood home and in front of his mother. Like that's something that he should just get over and then he'll be happy. And yeah I love TK and I wouldn't know what to do in the situation that they're in either, there's no side to pick or better option to choose here (not that it matters because it's obvious that they're adopting Jonah) but TK definitely could have been more sympathetic. I think the fact that they're definitely getting Jonah makes me more sympathetic towards Carlos, because I know TK will get what he wants here. And I've seen a lot of people saying that Carlos has been putting work first for a year and a half but actually, it was 1 year (if even that because we don't know what happened immediately after the wedding), then they went to counselling, and then they made it obvious that Carlos was putting in a LOT of effort to be more present. In fact, it was explicitly stated on screen.
Sorry for the rant, just sometimes it pisses me off that people think forgive and forget is the only way to go. And Gabriel's murder was about corruption in the police force or whatever, was Carlos just supposed to let that go???
I swear I love TK so much, and really my issue isn't with him here, it's with the people defending the way he went about it the adoption thing by saying that he had every right to act that way because Carlos should have gotten over his trauma by now.
yeah i think that's a parallel here haha also rip to dreams of sleeping in after having a kid
I was actually gathering up my thoughts about it in a post, how it's often dismissed, who carlos is as an individual, his values, his views etc and thus who he is in all of this. which I'm so curious to see how involved the rangers are in murdering Gabriel, how carlos could come full circle to "how could I've been so wrong" but as in the major realization of "I was right about them from the start. I wasn't stuck on my own, i got played and was left alone" (ugh let me see him in full force taking down these motherfuckers with his bare hands!!!!!)
that's my problem with this storyline actually. i don't expect neat reactions during calamities but alsooo the lack of grace from TK was way out of line for it's at a time where it feels like an imperative approach from him about something he has to act on its compelling urgency immediately despite knowing that carlos (no matter how much he'll be shown to have agency in this later) is not ready and especially now. especially in the call scene after. it's like he doesn't recognise carlos, weaponizing what he's going through against him and then going head to head about it.
and maybe that's just my opinion but a lot of this feels like it's on the storytelling this season. (which I understand the shortcomings of a short season etc but) the over reliance on telling and filling the gaps instead of showing did shoot the story in the foot for a storyline that needed more cohesive pattern and concrete evidence to carry itself. like i can't clearly track the after and before results of carlos' effort of being more present because his on screen absence-presence ratio feels normal in terms of having a third party naturally consuming time and effort beyond work and other cases. but we're also being told in the therapy that carlos isn't in fact present as he should be but again we see carlos' absence being about falling asleep during sex after giving TK a thoughtful candlelit dinner, or spending lunch break together but losing himself in his own train of thoughts regarding a case, which isn't borderline. I just wanted to see more clarity here instead of feeling like TK is compromising on how carlos shouldn't be working on the case at all even though that's not the case and TK is so supportive.
that's also why the birthday stuff felt more disjointed because we see carlos giving his all here for TK. and I imagine a scene where it shows carlos excusing himself to take a case related/work call before the guests arrive and TK being alone in the last minute adjustments, would've balanced out things more. but no we've TK's concerns and exasperation over what carlos is doing for the case more than we've see his support, we've seen carlos' presence more than we've seen the absence that we're told happens very often. the choice of narration isn't really presenting a cogent case.
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just-orbiting-you · 3 months ago
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https://www.tumblr.com/just-orbiting-you/762064909320208384/people-eating-up-jungkook-saying-these-trips-were?source=share
This is what grasping at straws looks like. Because that whole theme park or wtv it's called was suggested by jimin as he said it himself that it's good he suggested it cause he knew jungkook would love and jimin asked jungkook if he loved and jungkook said yes. Any fan of jungkook knows how much these kinda things jungkook loves. He's been driving his bike since nyc and jimin even said in NYC that jungkook is into riding bikes these days so obviously he was using it because he was into it.....like are y'all dumb or?
My guy said these were the best trips he's ever had in his life and let's talk about the trips he's had with taehyung in private where he went snowboarding, ski diving, bowling and I'm sure they have done alot more activities on those trips than we knows so may i know why he still said the AYS trips were his best in life? I mean if it's meaningful because of taehyung why not the private trips where he's had fun with taehyung "Alone without cameras" ??? Why chose the AYS trips? Seems like jimin knows his choices better as what he would enjoy the most hence he chose the park in jeju that jungkook was excited for in jeju.
Mind you he was just walking on the road with jimin in the first ep of Sapporo and he's said that he's loving it way more times than jimin's said in the whole show like even walking with jimin makes him happy. I remember how he talked about the japan trip in BTS's book where he clearly mentioned the one scene where he's walking with jm and said that those were the simple things but those were meaningful things. He always mentions the simplest things as his best memories. Jungkook was the one who said "Sapporo is the one(for me)" out of all 3 trips, said he wants to go back on the first day of that trip. Said he specifically wanted to come back to japan WITH JIMIN because that was their first trip even tho he was in Japan in August with enwoo nd in Oct for CK event yet he wanted to go back. I'm sure he would have used the bike in japan as well if it wasn't cold there. He even wanted to stay at home in ep6 because he just enjoys jimin's company. He wanted to watch the snow in Sapporo as well, said he's going to remember those memories when he'll be serving with jm in the military, constantly saying he's making so many memories in last trip so if I'd have to think one trip he loved the most then it was Sapporo. He talked about activities they did in all the trips just like jimin also mentioned the activities.
If you're a tkkr i suggest you stop nitpicking and grasping at straws because believe me i can sit here and nitpick so much about TK you won't be able to handle that. The only thing is i know which things are said in what context and all of them are close friends so i don't like doing that shit but if you want to move that way we can talk to you in your language as well.
nothing to add anon, bless you 🙌
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aesthetically-meme · 1 year ago
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Everyone needs to know right now how SPECIFIC Exist for Love is. @that-fanperson-meg COME HERE (please)
It is SO SPECIFIC FOR TWILIGHT AND DUSK. IT IS LITERALLY DUSK RAMBLING TO TK ABOUT HOW MUCH HE MEANS TO THEM, AND THEM INADVERTENTLY CONFESSING THEIR ENTIRE FUCKING EXISTENCE TO HIM.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND? CAUSE I'M ABOUT TO RAMBLE SO FUCKING HARD, HERE WE GO.
I've never felt like this before/my heart knew I couldn't/and then you take me in/and everything in me begins to feel like I belong/like everybody needs a home
༶•┈┈⛧┈♛
When Dusk first met Twilight, they were very distant, but not in a social way. It didn't seem like Dusk was really there, they were almost hollow. It was scary to see an astral like that. However upon interacting with Twilight, they're instantly filled with life. (I'll talk more about this later teehee)
And when I take your hand/like the world has never held a man/I know I cannot heal the hurt/but I will hold you here forever/if I can, if I can
Basically Dusk saying that they'll always be there for Twilight. They aren't able to undo what's happened to him, but they can be there for him and give him all the love he deserves, whether or not he thinks he does.
And then I learned the truth/how everything good in life seems to lead back to you/and every single time I run into your arms/I feel like I exist for love/like I exist for love/only for love
THAAATTSSSSSSS LITERALLY THEM AKXNAKDNANSJWNSNW, THEY HAVE SUCH A STRONG BOND IT MAKES DUSK FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A PURPOSE‼️
After leaving the GSA and coming to terms that they're alone, they realize how happy Twilight made them. Yes, being in the GSA wasn't all that bad. They had Maestro and their fellow astrals around them. But Twilight was family, he was one of the main things that drove them to strive for greatness. They wanted to protect the light that Twilight cast.
I can't imagine how it is to be forbidden from loving
Dusk is physically incapable of not feeling some form of love due to their matter. Upon hearing how Estelle treated Twilight, they'd immediately start clinging to him again. The idea that someone could ever be mean or abusive towards Twilight physically hurts them.
Cause when you walked into my life/I could feel my life begin/like I was torn apart the minute I was only born/and you're the other half/the only thing that makes me whole
Now, I know what I just said. But when Dusk was found by Maestro, she could tell there was some sort of enchantment over them. It blocked off their emotions, sealing them deep within them. She couldn't break the spell, but hoped Dusk would meet someone in the GSA that could help chip away at the spell via love.
Despite being with Maestro when they met Twilight, Dusk didn't immediately feel a connection to Maestro. For the first few weeks of them being in the GSA, they where kinda quiet, a bit empty. (No one could truly figure out why. Only Dusk would figure out later it was because of some sort of spell.) It's not until they meet Twilight do they suddenly become 'alive'. Dusk's soul is attracted to Twilight's wounded heart. Think of it like Sora from kh when he took in Ventus' heart. Except Dusk's soul made itself heal so they could help Twilight heal.
I know it sounds like a lot/but you really need to know/we are leaning out for love/and we will lean for forever, I know/I love you so
Clearly this must be overwhelming for Twilight, but they desperately need to know how loved he is. He puts too much on himself and not only is it hurting him, but it's hurting Dusk too. Twilight has so many people he can count on, and there's many people that are yet to be discovered.
And when you say my name/like white horses on the waves/I think it feels the same/as an ocean in my veins/and you'll be diving in/like nothing is out of place
Just acknowledging their bond gives Dusk life. It's like seeing your best friend and getting excited at the idea of just briefly interacting. You could not talk to each other for weeks and then see each other and chat like you spoke the day prior.
And we exist for love/only for love
They're acknowledging that if they were to lose the other then ... Yeah. A bit sad, but truthfully, both would be lost if the other were to die. But also speaking of their race as Heart Matter. Dual purpose yknow.
And I love you, I love you, I love you x2
Dusk will tell Twilight they love him however many times he needs to hear it to believe it. They aren't shy about being affectionate and will rightfully do anything to make their best friend feel better.
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pimento-playing-hopscotch · 11 months ago
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Hello! My nice ask week ask for you is: I’m very intrigued to read your Growing Up Strand Style fic in which TK has a little sister. How did you come up with the idea for bringing such an important original character into the mix and how easy was it to work here into the dynamic between Owen, Gwyn and TK? The father-son relationship between Owen and TK is clearly a very important part of the story too – are there any scenes between them you’re especially proud of?
Hi!!! 🥰🥰
I love this question so much 😊 It’s a culmination of a lot of things- (some projecting: the parents split when the kid is seven and one parent gets a new partner but it’s hard because new partner is cool- I can relate lol)
This idea started because I love Owen and Gwyn as parents- I would never say they’re perfect but they love their kid so much and they try (also sorry if this is coherent I’m so tired lol) And when I started writing this fic there was not as much fics where Owen was a flawed but loving parent which I believe that he is- and I felt like they were the happiest family before their world was ripped apart by tragedy, and from there it was surprisingly easy (there’s about six chapters of happy family bliss before 9/11 happens and three of them were written after the episode where TK more or less says “I want to be a dad because of how much I love my dad”
Also TK is so sweet and caring and protective watching him in the show I thought he is someone who would have loved having a younger sibling and would have wanted to be the best brother ever- and because I feel like as much as his parents tried there was a lot of time where TK felt lost and alone and I wanted to give him someone to go through his childhood with (it doesn’t change anything that happens in his life canon wise- but I’ve done this before with shows where there are some characters it’s just like- they need a brother or sister- (another rant for a different time; why are there so many only children in media lol) And I kept getting ideas and loved thinking of how Gwyn and Owen would be with a daughter-
That is the biggest part of it though- I love Owen and TK’s relationship so goddamn much (I also have a series I started before th is one of TK as a teenager- that one’s broken into a few different stories)
Like I did not expect to love this show so much but from the moment Owen broke the door down to save his kid in the pilot I was struck- like they’re just so supportive and protective of each other and I just loved their bond so much-
Oh that is a dangerous question there are so many Owen and TK scenes I’ve written I want to talk about-
Chapter 7- TK wakes up the first night after his dad has come home after 9/11 and momentarily is worried he’s gone again before he finds him in the living room
Chapter 8- Owen finds out that TK put his sister to bed by himself because he heard their parents fighting and didn’t want to interrupt
Chapter 14- Sophie gets hurt and TK is worried that Gwyn will be mad at him but Owen tells TK it’s Owen’s fault not TK’s
Chapter 18- TK mentions that he knows his dad doesn’t like Enzo and asks Owen if it makes him mad when they do stuff with Enzo and if Owen doesn’t want TK around Enzo as much
Chapter 27- when TK comes out to Owen
When Owen takes care of TK when he’s sick or hurt (there are so many injury chapters; not just for TK for both kids)
And chapter 44- when TK tell Owen they can’t talk about sex because TK is gay and Owen’s not so he finds another way to handle it-
(Also I promise Gwyn is there too- there are chapters where Owen is just in it briefly like some where I try to make sure everyone is worked in)
Thank you so much for the ask!!’ 🥰 you’re such an amazing writer and the subjects of our fics do overlap I’m very excited to hear what you think of it 🫶♥️♥️
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wikiangela · 2 years ago
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911 lone star 4x05
it seems that the season is finally picking up, and this is my fave episode so far 😂
more thoughts and spoilers ahead!
jfc Rob Lowe is so good in comedic roles fr, I think that's why I enjoy Owen now, because he gets funny stuff 😂 that scene was so funny 😂
the boy calling about the math problem was so adorable, and Grace's reaction was even more adorable, she's so fucking cute I can't 😩😍😍 that smile with a nose scrunch??? 😍😍😍😍
"not a math whiz, just a math fan" SAME I love math, I miss it, why did I go study English at uni lmao
we should see more of the 911 dispatchers, like we do in the og - like, I'd love to at least learn like 3 names of something 🙄😂
ngl, I have no memory of this paramedic they're talking about 😂 (also, the music in this scene is kinda loud isn't it? like the drums or whatever? idk, it makes my head hurt lol)
waaait, I knew it was a more Marjan focused episode from the promo, but... someone complained about her to HR???? what the fuck about, she's a delight 😂
oh my god the lady from the mobile home?? over the word "crazy" when Marjan saved her life?? seriously?
we're focusing a lot on Linus, huh - I bet something bad is about to happen (clearly something's wrong with the mom, and I'm anxious waiting to see what haha)
jfc it was one stupid word, that people used to throw around at anything and anyone, jfc I don't wanna be one of those "why are people these days so sensitive" bitches but... she saved you life lady, leave her alone
I love seeing more Marjan but I feel so bad for her
I almost forgot about this dude since the beginning tbh, I'm enjoying this episode a lot haha - no idea what his deal is but it's stressing me out
I am loving getting more of the dispatch - if this is how this season continues, I might change my opinion about it (which is that this season is kinda whatever so far, but maybe just the first four episodes were bc this is good)
I kinda like Marjan and Owen's dynamic, this is fun (pls give me more Owen and TK tho, I miss them, and I'm always a sucker for a father son relationship 😂)
this couple is so ridiculous, jfc, Owen's right, how is that guy not in jail 😂 and they want her to post an apology for calling her "crazy"? and tag their gofundme? lady, you are fucking crazy 😂😂
they're blaming the fire department, aka people who rescued her life, for destroying their home??? that dude fucking took it - oh my god they're insane and it's infuriating but also kinda funny 😂
I love Grace and Judd and I missed them, we barely saw them the last couple of episodes haha (and Charlie is the most adorable baby 😍😍)
thank God for Grace and her instincts about what's happening, and that Judd nudged her to go over there right away
also, Tommy is amazing and I love her and her friendship with Grace
Paul "notices things" - I completely forgot about that because it hasn't been referenced since like s1 - pls give him an actual storyline that includes all aspects of him, including this superpower of his 😂
Paul and Marjan are one of my fave friendships, they're really ride or die's, I just love them (also, I just love the way Paul speaks if that makes sense? I'm weird about voices and cadence and pronunciation idk 😂)
sooo, Asha's sticking around, right? 😂 they wouldn't have her know Paul from way back when if they weren't starting something here right? 😂 I'm not complaining, pls give Paul a storyline, and if it's finally a good love interest, even better haha
I'm sorry, but making such a big deal over the word "crazy" is literally so ridiculous I can't help but laugh
nooo, don't tell me she's really leaving
I'm crying
not Nancy and Mateo being the parent friends 😭😂
like, she's not gone forever is she? I'm sure she'll be back eventually... right?
okay, promo: I am so excited for this bomber storyline, it seems more interesting than the first 4 episodes of the season (like, I loved the Carlos episode - 4x04 but like... eh)
so, I loved this episode, please tell me this is when the season picks up finally, I was finally engaged from the beginning until the end, and enjoyed all of it
I did miss Carlos, and he's my fave character, but also, like I mentioned a lot already, the tarlos storyline so far with Iris etc was so fucking boring and it took a lot of time in those first episodes (and it's crazy I'm even saying that because I always say to give Carlos all the screen time 😂) so it was nice to kinda have a break from them haha and I'm so glad we're over the whole FBI thing
now, I adore Grace and I loved her storyline this eps, it was great and interesting
I feel like Asha's gonna stick around and I'm excited if they're gonna do anything with her and Paul (or just fucking give Paul some more screen time ffs)
I loved that we got more of other dispatchers aside from Grace and please keep it up, I wanna know them like we know Josh and Sue and Linda, for them to be around you know? 😂
and Marjan.... I don't believe she left for good, and I don't wanna believe that, and I get her reasoning, because fuck those people, but also.... this was just so ridiculous, do people really get that offended over the word crazy? I know it's offensive or whatever but since when it's a slur? 😂
anyway, it was a great episode for Marjan, loved seeing her more and her struggle with this whole situation, and her and Owen actually have a great dynamic, wish we'd seen more of that (if they didn't give 90% of screen time to Owen alone 🙄 I like him but sometimes it's like.... there are people who are more interesting that I wanna find out about lol)
genuinely can't wait for the next one, and it's the first time this season I'm actually looking forward to the next episode, I hope it's gonna only get better now haha
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togetherhearted · 3 years ago
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Howdy, Would you write Silco, Viktor, Local Cuisine Boy and [a mystery character] with a reader who has a tendency to double down. If they are found in a compromising situation/position by others, their response is "Yeah this is exactly what it looks like". If they are challenged to do something, "Sure but I bet I could do [same challenge x 100]". Basically, they are all about breaking through their own limits, making no excuses for themselves in an effort to be the best version of themselves.
Wooosh, I hope I'm not too late! Thanks for waiting, I hope I did your request right. I took the permission to change few things, hoping you don't mind!
Also,mistery character is brought to you by the randomizer, as always.
Silco,Viktor,Local Cuisine Boy and Sky with an S/O that "doubles down"
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"Are you insane?!" Silco questioned you, clearly upset "They could have killed you" "But they didn't" You hissed when your partner splattered alcool on your cuts.
You frowned when Sevika pointed out to you that if you were alive it was thanks to her.
"What where you thinking?!" Silco insisted, for being such a menace to everyone he had a soft spot for few people "The chembarons were trying to get rid of you. I was just trying to prevent that!" Your partner finished to patch you up "There was no need, my dear. I can do this alone."
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You beamed, slamming the paper on the table "Ah!Look at this!"The other smiled smugly, before putting his down. A perfect score.
You sat down, disbelieved. "I thought I could do better than you this time, Viktor" "Eh, that's unfortunate" God, you wanted to rip that smirk off of his face so badly "Tks, just you wait. I'll ace the next test."
Viktor looked at you, now smiling softly "You can just ask me to study with you, love" His face inched closer to playfully boop your nose with his.
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...Sugar, eggs, flour, everything was here.
"Really, little lamb, you don't have to do this for me" You grabbed a bowl "Nonsense, I'll show your parents that I can prepare your favourite cookies!"
The young man sighed, passing a hand through his hair, you sure were stubborn and often for trivial stuff like this.  He couldn't fight a little smile, though; your love for him matched no one.
"At least let me help?" You almost hit him with a spoon "Absolutely no. This is a fight I must win alone" He chuckled, resting his head on your shoulder.
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Sky observed your hunched figure from the door, nose in pile of papers.
She was aware how much of a hard worker you were, bitterly smiling at the thought she always fell for people who put so much effort in their work; striving to better themselves and the others, sometimes forgetting about their own health.
"Are you heading home soon? We could walk together" She mumbled, loud enough to make you hear "Yeah...I should probably go home. I'm tired" Sky's eyes sparkled as you sat up and hooked your arm with hers.
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ipuckwithhockey · 4 years ago
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Just Ask- N. Patrick
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a/n: More Nolan stuff? Yup. I should preface this with the fact that we should all be considerate of all hockeys and their personal lives. They have lives that do not include us and we should respect that. This includes their online accounts whether they are private or public. I say that because this does slightly touch on Nolan’s music taste/interest in music, but there’s nothing specific. Also, lets remember that this is all fiction! We’re just here to have some fun. Anyway, this is a short one, nothing too crazy. Let me know what y’all think!
warnings: drinking, swearing
------
Meeting the Flyers was a byproduct of your friendship with Carly. The two of you have been friends for ages and she introduced you to the boys early into her relationship with Travis. You were able to avoid being the consistent third wheel by finding a comfortable place within Travis’ group of friends. Although Carly and Travis have insisted that they try to set you up with someone on the team, you continually refused, saying that it would be awkward if it didn’t work out. Not to mention the fact that you didn’t think any of the guys were interested.
The lovesick couple bothered you about it for ages, trying to push Beezer and Frosty on you, and then saying that you and Nolan would be “so cute” together. Joel and Morgan were great, you loved them both dearly, but there was no way you were dating either one of them. They were more compatible with each other than with you.
However, the last one you didn’t disagree with. You agreed, and thought that you and Nolan would make an exceptionally cute couple. It takes two to tango though, and Nolan definitely isn’t interested. Nolan has always been friendly and your personalities mesh well enough that you would consider him a good friend. The two of you even hang out by yourselves when TK and Carly cancel on you to do god knows what. You’ll grab food or watch a movie, but he has never made any inclination that he feels anything more than platonic towards you.
Nolan is shy, and dry, yet incredibly funny. He’s blunt and has a few sharp edges to him, but he’s not the fiery time bomb that TK resembles. He’s more reserved, laid back, and you can feel at ease with him because of it. You loved Travis to bits, and he was the perfect match for Carly’s outgoing personality, but you can only handle so much of him.
Take right now for example. You’re standing in the kitchen of a post-win house party, and Travis is incessantly nagging you to go talk to Nolan. The house you’re in is full to the brim with people you’re sure they don’t know and you and Travis are in the kitchen fixing yourselves another round of drinks. From where you’re standing you can see Nolan in the family room towering over a few doe eyed girls who hang on his every word. They are fixated on him, and you think that he could tell them to get on their knees right then and there and they would do it gladly. (You’re not sure you would say no either, so no judgement there.) 
You’ve seen him take girls home from parties and bars, and he’s seen you with your fair share of conquests as well. It doesn’t bother you, and you figure it doesn’t bother Nolan either. Would you mind being the girl he took home? No, not at all, but unfortunately that was a role you would probably never be cast in. Even if you were you wouldn’t want to be one of those other girls anyway. You wanted to be the girl. You wanted to be the girl who made him forget about all the girls before you.
Your silent pining was becoming a little sad, and as much as you hated it, you couldn’t do anything to change how you felt about him. When you first met Nolan, you figured your little crush would soon dissipate, but the opposite ended up occurring. Now you were the sad, lonely, pining girl. You hated being her, but you couldn’t help it. You were totally gone for him.
“Come on, he’s not even listening to whatever those girls are saying to him. And you know he’s been checking you out since you got here.” Travis lays it out simply for you but you’re quick to refute, “Trav, he’s only looking over here because you haven’t stopped staring at him all night. If any two people at this party are into each other it’s you and Nolan, not me and Nolan.”
“What are you guys getting so heated about over here? And why do you keep looking at Nolan like that, Trav?” Carly comes over to tuck herself into Travis’ side as he puts his arm around her. You make a face at Travis as to say, “I told you.”
“He won’t leave me alone about Nolan, thinks I should go over there and interrupt the fan club.” You motion in the direction of where Nolan is still standing in front of his little doe eyed fans.
Carly’s eyes light up, “Oh, he totally checked you out earlier! You should go over there. Scare all those little girls away. They never had a chance anyway,” she explains matter-of-factly.
“Carly! You’re supposed to me on my side, remember?” You look between your friend and her boyfriend, who’s grin is getting bigger and bigger as spreads across his face.
“Look, you can deny it for as long as you like, but he’s totally into you, and you’re totally into him. Travis and I both know it.” Carly and Travis look so satisfied with themselves, that they think they’ve played matchmaker between the two of you, but you’re still not convinced.
“Ok, give me 5 reasons you think he could possibly like me, or that we are somehow compatible, and then maybe I’ll go over there.” You motion back in Nolan’s direction.
Travis is quick to the pitch, “You’re both oddly quiet. Like it kind of freaks me out when I come into the room and it’s just the two of you sitting there on the couch, and you’re not even talking! Sometimes the TV isn’t even on. It’s just silent. Like who even does that?”
This elicits an eye roll from you as you remember the many times Travis has walked in on you and Nolan sitting in a quiet room together, neither of you feeling the need to constantly fill the air with pointless conversation. Travis has never understood it.
“What about how Nolan always gets you drinks when we’re out?” Carly chimes in.  “He doesn’t do that for everyone. Hell, I don’t think he’s ever asked me if I needed another when he’s headed up to the bar.”
You’ve never noticed that he doesn’t ask anyone else when he goes up to the bar. Thinking about it now, it does seem kind of odd. But the two of you will often find yourselves next to each other while you’re stuffed inside a packed bar on any given weekend, and you figure he’s just being nice since you’re usually one of the only single ones there.
“That’s only two, and your reasoning is horrible. He’s just being nice and being introverted is not a crime.” You lean back onto the counter behind you as you cross your arms in front of your chest.  Now you’re facing toward the open room where one of the girls has inched her way closer to Nolan.
“He’s been a lot more excited to go out lately. He always asks if you’re coming. The last time we all went out I gave him a hard time about it. I don’t think his face has ever been that red.” Travis explains. “That’s another one! Whenever you show up or you do that thing that girls do when they’re flirting, you know the one where they touch a guy’s arm when they’re talking, he gets so red. Like tomato red.” Travis isn’t very eloquent in delivery, but you understand what he’s saying. “That’s four, baby.” He reminds you.
“He gets red when anyone talks to him and whenever anyone is brave enough to touch him. And I do not do that flirting thing.”  You look to Carly for reassurance, “Do I?” you ask.  She doesn’t offer the reassurance you were looking for, instead stating, “Oh, you totally do that. Sorry, you’re just not that subtle.”
“Oh my god.” You let your head hang back as you look up to the ceiling, “He probably thinks I’m an idiot or just creepy.” You really didn’t think you were that obvious, but clearly you were wrong. He probably feels bad for you because he knows you’re totally into him. “Well, if that wasn’t enough to deter me from ever speaking to him again, that’s still only four, so I think I’m going to call it a night and head home and then never show my face near Nolan again.” You try to exit the kitchen with the last bit of dignity you have left but Travis is quick to jump in front of you.
“Nope. I have a fifth one.” He’s standing there with is hands on his hips and you’re sure he thinks it makes him look more commanding. You just roll your eyes for what feels like the millionth time tonight.
“Really? You think it’s good enough to get me over there?” You quip back at him as you nod back towards Nolan.
“Oh yeah.” He nods back, “And if it makes you feel better Nolan is super obvious too. Like I said, tomato red.”
“So, are you going to tell me the fifth reason or are you just going to keep me hostage here all night?” Now you’re mimicking his stance with your hands placed firmly on your hips.
“It pains me to admit this one because he doesn’t even let me do this,” Travis sighs. “He lets you have the aux every time you’re in his car. No questions asked, he just lets you play whatever you want. Doesn’t even complain about it!”
You’re processing what Travis is saying. Nolan did always let you choose the music in the car, but you didn’t think anything of it. You probably grabbed the aux without hesitation the first time you hopped in his car. That’s just what you always did with your friends. It never dawned on you that he might not let other people do that too.
It checks out though, Nolan loves his music. It’s important to him, and his perfectly curated playlists are like little works of art for him. You’ve watched him manicure his playlists for hours as he sits on the couch, and admittedly you have similar taste in music. Maybe that’s why he didn’t care? Maybe you just always chose songs that he would have also picked? Although there was that one week where you made him listen to the Frozen soundtrack on repeat. He probably wouldn’t have picked that one…
You don’t have time to decide on why you think Nolan would ever let you get away with something he holds so sacred because he has since left his group of girls and has found his way into the kitchen where you’re still squared off with Travis.
“You guys gonna pull your pistols out soon?” Nolan mumbles an announcement that he has entered the room, and you realize that you’re still stood in front of TK, both of you with your hands on your hips.
“Nope, we were actually just heading out to play pong, we’ll see you guys later!” Travis quickly ushers himself and Carly out of the room, and before you can protest, you’re left alone with Nolan. He’s leaning against the counter opposite to you, and when you move your eyes to rest on his figure you can’t help but do a quick intake of just how good he looks. He’s wearing the same basic outfit that just about every other guy in the house is sporting, and yet it looks so much better on him.
“What was that about? You guys okay?” Nolan asks.
“Uh- Yeah, Trav just being Trav, you know?” You attempt to brush off the topic of what you and Travis were discussing prior to Nolan’s arrival. Similar to those times that Travis was referencing, neither of you feel compelled to fill the air with unneeded dialogue, and you fall into a comfortable silence. Neither of you are saying anything now and Nolan takes the time to twist off the cap to another beer from the fridge.
“I was gonna go out back. It’s too hot in here, wanna come?” Nolan nods his head to the sliding glass door at the other end of the kitchen, and you respond by following him out to the deck. The quietness and crisp winter air that fills your lungs is refreshing. The two of you lean against the railing of the deck and enjoy the break from the chaos inside. You continue in your silence and you can’t help but watch as Nolan takes long drags of his beer, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows.
“Can I ask you a question?” You ask, and without speaking he nods, giving you the go ahead.
“Why don’t you let Travis have the aux?”
Nolan chuckles a bit, “Of all the things you could ask, that’s what you choose?” he retorts before answering, “If you must know, he has horrible taste in music. But also, I don’t let anyone have the aux. My car, my music. It’s the rules,” he states, taking another quick swig of his beer that’s almost empty now.
He confirmed what Travis had said to you, but you’re not convinced. There had to be a catch. He probably never realized that you did it. You’re sure of it.
“But you let me have the aux?” You form the sentence with a question mark on the end, and your eyes follow Nolan as he leans over the railing to look out into the backyard. He’s avoiding meeting your eye, and you can tell he’s thinking, deciding on what he’s about to say.
“Probably ‘cus I can’t say no to you,” the muttered words come out under his breath, like he doesn’t want you to hear it.
“What? What does that mean?” He lets out a huff of air as his hands push is his long hair back out of his face, something he only does when he’s stressed.
His body turns to face you now, “You could literally tell me to jump off a bridge or run through this house naked, and I would probably do it. No questions asked.”
The quizzical look that occupies your face prompts him to continue. He’s frustrated, you can tell, “I just don’t know how to say this without fucking us up as friends…” He starts to pivot away from you again, but you reach out for his arm, stopping him from leaving, “What if I don’t want to be friends?” You’ve chosen to be the bold one now, and if it bit you the ass you were just going to have to live with that, but you can’t help but feel like you’ve both been on the same page all along.
“You don’t want to be friends with me?” Hurt. Confusion. Annoyance. They all flash across Nolan’s face before you can interject again, “I don’t want to be just friends with you. I want to be more than that. I want to be the girl you take home when this party is over, and the girl who gets to wake up next to you every morning after, and even if you don’t want that, you need to know that’s how I feel about yo—“
He doesn’t say anything, he doesn’tt pull you into a heart wrenching kiss, there aren’t fireworks playing behind you. To your surprise, Nolan has chosen to haul you over his shoulder, your arms falling over his back as he walks swiftly back into the house.
“NOLAN! What the fuck!? Put me down!” You yell at him as he continues to carry through the house. The party is so wild by now that you’re sure no one even notices the 6’2 hockey player with a girl over his shoulder.
“Nolan! Seriously. Put me down!” You’re feel like a little toddler who has gotten herself in trouble, and when Nolan finally does place your feet back on the ground, you’re outside next to his car that is parked in front of the house. He sets you down, and you’re slightly dizzy from being swung around like a rag doll, but he steadies you in front of him with his hands on your waist.
“What the fuck was tha—”
He cuts you off again, but this time he isn’t hauling your body into the air. This time his hands are on either side of your face and his lips find yours and there are even metaphorical fireworks going off as you kiss him back. You stand there, pushed against the side of his car, with his hands tangled in your hair, and your tongues exploring each other mouths. When you finally come up for air he pushes back away from you so that he can meet your eye.
“If you wanted to be that girl all you had to do was ask.” A smirk is plastered across his face, and you lightly shove at his chest even though it does little to move his large figure.
You surrender, “Okay, but we have to get an Uber, we’ve both had too much to drive.” You can’t help but grin back at him as he reaches for his phone to order a car for the both of you. When the car arrives, you get in to head back to Nolan’s apartment with your hands wrapped together. “I can’t believe Travis was right,” you say as you let your head rest on Nolan’s shoulder and he turns his head to you with his eyebrow furrowed, “Right about what?”
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morganaspendragonss · 4 years ago
Text
reckless but honest words
However much TK had thought he’d grown used to his parents’ shit, he’s far from prepared for the next words that come out of his dad’s mouth.
“We’re - that is to say, your mom - well… We’re having a baby.”
ao3 | 2.3k | title from anger by sleeping at last
TK narrows his eyes as he walks into his parents’ house, the trepidation that’s been building throughout the day coming to a peak as he spots them waiting for him on the couch. His dad had texted earlier, specifically requesting he come home tonight instead of going to Carlos’s, and while TK hadn’t exactly had any objections, it had given him a bad feeling.
His suspicions are instantly confirmed when he sees his parents’ unnatural postures, the way they’re smiling at him just a bit too widely. He walks in cautiously, feeling weirdly like he’s heading into a trap, though there’s nothing in the room that would outwardly suggest so.
Just his mom and dad, and how they keep looking between him and each other, like they’re in on some sort of joke that TK’s the butt of. 
“What’s going on?” he asks, easing himself into an armchair. They share another glance - giggling, for god’s sake - and clasp hands.
“TK,” his dad starts. “Your mom and I… We’ve got some news.”
TK eyes them warily, his mind instantly flashing to the possibility that his dad’s cancer is back. He dismisses the thought almost immediately - they’re far too happy for it to be that - but he also can’t think of what else it could be. Maybe his mom is moving in permanently? Which… TK wouldn’t be opposed, but he’s not sure how much longer he can cope with their bickering, and he’s barely here half the time.
“Do you want to tell him?” his dad asks, but she shakes her head and waves her hand towards him.
“Go ahead.”
And however much TK had thought he’d grown used to his parents’ shit, he’s far from prepared for the next words that come out of his dad’s mouth.
“We’re - that is to say, your mom - well… We’re having a baby.”
They grin at him, waiting expectantly for…congratulations, TK guesses? A hysterical laugh bubbles up in his chest, and he’s barely able to push it down, clamping his jaw firmly shut until he feels like he’s in control again.
“You… You’re serious,” he says eventually.
“Well, it’s hardly the sort of thing you joke about,” his dad says, laughing a little. His mom swats at him, but they’re both still smiling, both still acting like this isn’t incredibly fucked up.
“How long have you known?”
“A while,” his mom admits. “We weren’t going to keep it, but then we thought about it and we realised that we both want a child. Another one.”
TK barely notices her hastily added-on amendment. He gets what she means - he’s not a child, and hasn’t been in many years. He’s more stuck on the fact that they’re choosing to bring another child into this pressure cooker of a household, and not seeing anything wrong with that.
Even when he’d been a kid, TK had felt like he was being pulled in every direction, constantly caught in the middle of their arguments. The feeling’s eased now he’s an adult, but only because he knows he has places to escape to when it all becomes too much. He hadn’t had that growing up, and this new kid won’t have it either. 
Maybe he’s being too unfair on them; maybe they can pull it together after all. But, having borne witness to their behaviour these past few months, TK kind of doubts it. Knowing them, they’ll have decided to keep the kid by way of an argument.
And TK knows it’s far from his decision to make, but he can’t help but question them. “Are you sure you’ve thought this through?” he asks. 
Their faces drop, smiles faltering as they look at each other, seemingly having a wordless conversation. His dad nods encouragingly, and his mom turns back to him, reaching across the gap between them to take TK’s hands in her own.
“Honey…” she sighs. “We know the risks, alright? Lord knows we’ve both done enough googling. But I’m healthy, and I know what I need to do to make this pregnancy as safe as possible, and we truly believe we can beat the odds. It’ll be fine, I promise.”
She smiles hesitantly, and TK just gapes, not quite understanding how she’s managed to miss the point this badly.
“That’s not what I… Wow.” He presses his lips together in a firm line, standing up abruptly and dropping his mom’s hands. “Okay.”
He shakes his head and turns to go, but he’s stopped when they also rise, effectively blocking his path.
“Where are you going?” his mom asks, frowning in confusion.
TK feels a twinge of guilt, but he pushes it away. “Carlos’s.”
“Now, hold on a minute there, son,” his dad says. “I thought you could stay here tonight, we could have a meal as a family for once. You’re barely here these days.”
“Wonder why,” he mutters, though clearly not quietly enough judging by the way his dad flinches. TK can’t bring himself to care. “I’m going,” he says, louder this time. “I’ll see you at work.”
He squeezes past them, and makes it to the door before he’s stopped again.
“I thought you’d be happy for us.”
TK freezes, hand on the doorknob. “I am,” he lies through gritted teeth, and he doesn’t need to look to see the disappointment written all over his dad’s face. “Congrats.”
He’s gone before they can get another word in, just barely refraining from slamming the door behind him. His skin itches, his whole body jittery and on edge, and TK briefly laments the fact that he’s in no way dressed for running. He has clothes inside that he could change into, but there’s no way he’s going back in there now. He’ll just have to stick it out until he can get to Carlos’s.
Getting into his car, TK has to resist the urge to hit the steering wheel. But he doesn’t trust his parents enough to think that they aren’t watching him from the window, so he simply starts the ignition, driving away without a backward glance.
*
Carlos is surprised when he walks in, pausing his meal with the fork halfway to his mouth.
“TK,” he says, frowning. “I thought you were staying with your parents tonight.”
“Me too.” TK scowls, tossing his keys into the bowl and making a beeline for the bedroom. He feels bad for ignoring Carlos like that, but he’s worried that if he stops to think, he’ll snap, and Carlos doesn’t deserve that.
Carlos must follow him up the stairs anyway, as when TK looks up from yanking his spare running clothes out of the drawers, he’s standing in the doorway, the picture of concern. He sighs, sitting back on his heels, taking a moment to collect himself.
“I’m sorry,” he says. “I just… They asked me over because they had some news, and it sort of threw me. I needed to get out of there.”
Carlos nods in understanding. “Is it your dad? Was there a problem with the cancer, or something?”
“No, nothing like that.”
“That’s good, right?” Carlos is looking at him with those wide, worried eyes of his, and TK feels a little bit of his anger drain away at the sight.
“That part is, yeah,” he allows. “I’m not sure the same can be said for the rest.”
“Wanna talk about it?”
TK hesitates, then rises from the floor, shaking his head. “I will, later,” he promises, “but right now I just need to be alone.”
He quickly changes and grabs his headphones from the night stand, though he stops in his tracks when he catches sight of Carlos’s pained expression.
“Hey,” he says, crossing the room and cupping Carlos’s face in one hand. “I’m not shutting you out, I swear. I need air and some time to think, that’s all. Promise I won’t do anything stupid.”
He smiles and holds his pinky out, and Carlos huffs a brief laugh. He links their pinkies and meets TK’s eyes, searching his face. “I’m holding you to that, Strand.”
TK presses a kiss to his cheek. “I’ll see you later.”
*
He doesn’t know how long he runs for, but by the time he gets back he’s winded, and his thoughts are no less scrambled. The lights in the living room are off when TK walks in, but he can see a soft glow coming from upstairs that lets him know that Carlos is still awake. He’s sitting up in bed, reading, when TK manages to drag himself to the bedroom, having already showered and changed. He holds an arm out in invitation, and TK goes gratefully into the embrace, leaning his head on Carlos’s shoulder.
Carlos absent-mindedly traces circles on TK’s arm with his thumb, a silent comfort that TK relishes in.
“My mom’s pregnant,” he says eventually.
Carlos freezes. “Oh. That’s… Wow.”
TK chuckles humourlessly. “I know.” He sighs. “I feel like I shouldn’t be mad, but I can’t help it. I mean, I knew something was up, they’ve both been acting cagey for ages, but I just… I never thought it would be this.”
“I think you’ll be forgiven for not expecting it,” Carlos comments drily. 
TK hums, fiddling with the sheets. “It’s not just that, though. I’m pissed that they didn’t tell me, sure, but I’m less mad for me, and more for this kid. I know what it’s like to grow up with them, and you’ve seen how terrible the past few months have been. I can’t believe they’re seriously going to put another kid through it all.”
“Maybe they’ll work things out,” Carlos suggests, though even he sounds doubtful.
“I want to believe that. But…”
“But?”
“I don’t think they even noticed it,” he confesses, voice quiet. “I was so alone as a kid, but Mom had her firm and Dad had the firehouse, and I was just...there. I know they loved me, but that doesn’t mean they were great parents, and I don’t think they realise even half of what they did. They’re having this baby because they want the good times back, and they’re forgetting just how many bad times there were.”
Carlos squeezes his shoulders. “Shit, Ty-”
“You know it’s part of the reason I became a firefighter?” TK asks. He should probably feel guilty for interrupting, but it’s like some dam has broken inside of him and it’s all coming spilling out whether he wants it to or not. “I’d see my dad with his crew - with this family he’d built at the firehouse - and I just… I wanted in. I wanted my family back, but I couldn’t have that so I settled for inserting myself into his.
“It sort of worked, I guess. We were close. But he’s never been a father to me, exactly, not in the way I needed. I’m okay with it now, but I’m worried the same is going to happen all over again.”
Carlos waits, but TK’s done this time, gritting his teeth against the emotion welling up in him 
“Have you spoken to your dad about any of this?” Carlos asks.
TK scoffs. “I tried. Remember my identity crisis after I got shot? I went to him and told him, but he just turned it on me and started talking about 9/11 again. It’s like, I know how bad it was. I know his whole house was killed, and I know how badly that hurt him. But I was seven, and I lived through it too. It’s not the same, I get that, but I did. I think he forgets that sometimes.”
He groans, slumping down further into the bed - and, by extension, into Carlos. “I sound like a dick, don’t I?”
Carlos is silent for a long time, and when TK looks up at him, he’s worrying his bottom lip, brows creased in a frown. 
“I think…” he starts slowly, turning his head to meet TK’s eyes. “I think you’re being perfectly reasonable. Everything you just said… I can’t even imagine, Ty.”
TK stares at him, startled by how firm, how fervent Carlos’s voice is. There’s anger there, too, and it’s strangely comforting to know he’s not alone in his frustrations. Even so, TK feels the need to reassure him.
“Hey,” he murmurs, lightly touching Carlos’s arm. “You know I’m okay, right? I’m over all that.”
Carlos sends him a doubtful look.
“Mostly,” he amends. “Besides, I have you now, and the team. I’m not the one who needs to be worried about.”
“I’ll always worry about you,” Carlos says, but he sighs, relenting. “You should talk to your parents, though. They need to know how you’re feeling, especially if they’re going through with this.”
TK shrugs non-commitantly. “Yeah, maybe. Not like they’ll listen to me.”
Carlos sighs. “TK -”
“Can we not talk about this anymore?” TK interrupts, turning pleading eyes on his boyfriend. He’s tired of thinking about his parents, and he feels more than a little guilty for taking over their evening complaining about them, like he’s done far too many times before. He points to the book lying abandoned at Carlos’s side. “Tell me about that?”
Carlos sends him a look, emphatically letting TK know that he’s not going to let him push this away, but he does eventually pick up the book. “I don’t think it’s something you’ll like,” he warns.
“You like it,” TK says. “That’s enough for me.”
The brilliant smile Carlos sends him is almost enough to make him forget everything else that happened tonight. And when he starts talking, TK closes his eyes and lets Carlos’s beautiful voice wash over him, chasing any other thoughts from his head.
It’s peace, of a kind.
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rafael-silva · 4 years ago
Text
guide me back (I’m lost without your light): a tarlos fic
“All available units respond to a 10-50 at the intersection of Sixth and North Lamar Boulevard. Multiple vehicle pile up.” “Dispatch, this is 363-H-20 responding. ETA three minutes.”
*
When Carlos and Mitchell respond to the call, the last thing Carlos expects is to find TK in the middle of the wreck. He races against time to keep TK awake and stable until fire and medical arrive, while sending out prayer after prayer that his time with TK hasn’t been cut short. That they haven’t run out of time.
for bad things happen bingo: tarlos + bloodstained clothes 
hurt tk strand, worried carlos reyes, established relationship, whump, angst, emotional hurt/comfort, hurt/comfort, kisses, blood, injury description, major character injury, angst with a happy ending
10.1k | on ao3
*****
“All available units respond to a 10-50 at the intersection of Sixth and North Lamar Boulevard. Multiple vehicle pile up.”
“Dispatch, this is 363-H-20 responding. ETA three minutes.”
The sun sits high in the sky as Carlos grips the steering wheel tightly while Mitchell releases her radio and flicks on the light bar and siren, blaring loudly as they head into the heart of downtown Austin.
It sounded serious, if all available units are being dispatched to the scene, meaning fire engines are being dispatched, too. Carlos fleetly wonders if the 126 will be called to the scene, but he knows he won’t be seeing TK since it’s the paramedic’s day off.
It’s difficult when one of them is working and the other is off; at least if they were both working, there are always chances of them meeting on calls, and if they were both off, well, those days were spent in utter happiness together, either spent in or out, it didn’t matter as long as they were spent together. They make it work, however, spending as much time together before one of them goes to work and then at night, cuddling on the couch or in bed, safe in each other’s arms after a long day.
Carlos hopes the accident isn’t as grave as he’s imagining but his gut is telling him otherwise. With a sinking feeling in his stomach, he realizes there’s a big possibility he might be late for the home dinner date he and TK had planned. TK had said he had a surprise for Carlos, and was clearly super excited about it. Carlos was looking forward to it and now…
Carlos’s gut is proven right when they round the corner and he catches sight of the crash from a few blocks away. Dread sets in his stomach the closer they get to the scene, other police cruisers pulling up at the same time.
He might need to tell TK that his shift may run long. He holds back at that, though, first wanting to get a full feel of how the rest of his shift will pan out.
Carlos parks and shares a concerned look with his partner before drawing in a deep breath and letting it out slowly. They hop out of the car and Carlos takes a quick survey of their surroundings, noticing that they had arrived at the scene before fire and medical.
Carlos starts moving towards where the accident is the worst, and well, it’s bad. Four cars seem to have harshly rear ended each other, the crushed metal an indication of how sudden and quick it had happened. He can’t really tell one car from the other, all of them mangled together in a way that tells Carlos there are definitely more than a few injuries sustained to the people who were in these cars.
He doesn’t have much time to draw any more conclusions because he’s frantically being flagged down by a man around his own age, who seems unharmed. Bystander, Carlos’s mind supplies.
Carlos jogs over as the man takes a few steps towards him and starts speaking.
“He’s stuck,” the man starts, leading Carlos to one of the cars, or what’s left of one, in the middle of the wreck. “The door on one side popped open from the force of the crash but the guy inside can’t move. And we didn’t want to move him. He’s on the opposite side of the backseat and he’s in rough shape, seems to be going in and out of consciousness.”
Carlos swallows and follows him, whoever this man is, Carlos is going to do everything he can to help him until fire and medical arrive.
“It’s good you didn’t move him, that might have caused more damage,” Carlos tells him, his legs moving quickly.
The closer he gets, the more Carlos is hit with a sense of familiarity towards the injured man. He frowns, his heart starting to race in his chest as he zeroes in on the figure slumped in the backseat.
And that side profile, Carlos can draw it with his eyes closed.
He freezes when the realization dawns on him. His legs stop moving, his feet nailed to the asphalt. It feels like his heart is about to leap out of his chest while his eyes go impossibly wide.
TK.
And no, no, no. It can’t be TK. He was just texting him less than twenty minutes ago. He’s worried his brain is playing a cruel trick on him, conjuring up this nightmare. Carlos shakes his head, earning himself a confused look from the man leading him, who has also stopped moving.
But Carlos doesn’t spare him a glance, his attention solely held by the man in the crushed car. And when said man weakly opens his eyes and they catch some light, Carlos knows beyond a doubt that this nightmare is in fact reality.
Those green eyes, even seeing them from the side and through an awkward angle, can only belong to the love of his life.
“No,” Carlos whispers as his heart plummets into his knees, his body heating up. “No, no,” he repeats and then his feet are finally moving again, and he’s running around another car, his eyes not leaving TK.
He briefly registers the man’s growing confusion but he just rushes past him, no time for explanation, the only thing mattering to him is getting to TK. Saving TK.
He only slows down when he’s right by TK’s side, with only the smashed door separating them. The window is shattered, the ground littered with broken pieces of glass that crunch underneath Carlos’s boots.
TK’s eyes have closed again, but Carlos can see his chest slowly rising and falling with each shallow breath he sucks in.
“TK?” Carlos speaks, the rest of the accident fading away. The movement around is in slow motion, sounds muted, the world narrowing to just him and TK. “TK, can you hear me?”
Carlos can’t even hear his own voice over the blood rushing in his ears, but by the way TK tilts his head an inch towards him, he heard him.
A beat. And then: “‘Los…”
Carlos lets out a breath he wasn’t fully aware he was holding, his shoulders sagging forward a little. “Hey, babe. I’m here, I’m here.”
Carlos runs his eyes over TK, and his heart breaks a little more at the bloody state the paramedic is in.
“I’m stuck,” TK wheezes. “Can’t move.”
“We’ll get you out, just hang on. Help is on the way,” Carlos replies, hoping his voice is steadier than it sounds to his own ears. He then turns his attention to the older man in the front seat. “Sir, are you okay?”
“Yeah,” the man nods. “I’m fine, nothing hurts too bad. The hit was harder from the back.”
Carlos’s fear increases at that piece of information. “You let me know if your pain changes,” he tells him before his attention is back on TK. “TK, can you tell me what hurts?”
“Head, chest…and side,” TK replies through gritted teeth, squeezing his eyes as a wave of pain shocks his nerves, running through his battered body. Everything feels like it’s on fire, every breath he tries to draw in hurts, and he’s tired, he’s so tired.
But he isn’t alone anymore, Carlos is here now. TK is aware that his odds aren’t good, based on his years of work experience, but he finds himself not panicking at that thought as much anymore. Because Carlos is right here. He would even go as far as saying he feels a little calm now, but what he can’t answer is whether that is due to shock or Carlos’s presence. TK decides to believe it’s courtesy of the latter. Because shock would be very bad.
He isn’t aware his eyes have drifted shut until the officer’s voice filters through, telling him to open them and TK manages to peel his eyelids open and faces Carlos’s worried gaze.
“Stay with me,” Carlos pleads, those brown eyes that TK loves so much filled to the brim with terror. “Don’t close your eyes, look at me. Focus on me.”
TK obliges. He loves looking at Carlos, loves running his hands over his face, his cheekbones, feeling Carlos smile against his touch. TK wants to reach out, to smooth out the worry engraved on Carlos’s forehead, in the creases that sit above his eyebrows, but he can’t move a muscle. He wants to reassure Carlos that he’s okay, but not only does he momentarily lose his voice, he also doesn’t know how true his statement would be. Because he’s now suddenly very much aware of the amount of blood running down his side, sticky and hot. The side glued to the crushed door.
He groans, feeling the panic start to rise again. Being stuck was already bad enough, but being stuck while also bleeding is far worse that TK doesn’t even want to think about it.
“Hey, hey,” Carlos’s voice returns. “Focus on me, it’s okay. I know it’s scary, but I’m right here.”
“Carlos,” TK cries out, a tear rolling down his cheek.
Carlos, very carefully, reaches his arm through the busted window, and with just as much caution, cups TK’s face and wipes the stray tear with the pad of his thumb. He’s aware of everything all at once, the way his hand shook as he moved it towards TK, how clammy TK’s skin feels, the beads of sweat rolling down his own neck and back.
“I’m right here.”
TK sniffs and nods as he leans into Carlos’s touch. It’s warm, and TK gravitates towards that warmth. The warmth that has become his home.
Carlos begins cataloging TK’s injuries: a cut near his temple that looks deep enough to need stitches, possible concussion, chest pain can be a result of the seatbelt tightening when the crash happened, but he can’t assess how badly TK’s side is hurt from his current position.
He doesn’t have much time to dwell on that, though, because TK is speaking a few moments later.
“My side…it’s bleeding…” TK murmurs once he’s gathered his voice, his mind suppling that he needs to tell Carlos. “I think it’s bad.”
The small amount of color remaining in Carlos’s face drains at TK’s words, his heart dropping further and it feels like he’s been drenched with a bucket of ice water. His mind freezes for a second before he’s shaking himself out of it. He needs to act, and quick.
“Can you reach it and apply pressure?” Carlos asks. “Easy though, slow movements.”
TK attempts to move his arm towards the injury but quickly grimaces and drops his arm.
“No,” TK’s voice shakes, the slight movement exhausting him further. “Hurts.”
“Shit,” Carlos’s own panic starts taking hold, evident in the way his hands start to shake again. They have to slow the bleeding if TK has any chance of making it out of this nightmare.
Then Carlos remembers that the other door is practically already ripped off the car. Making up his mind, he gives TK’s hand a squeeze and rushes to the other side of the car.
“Hang on, TK, I’m coming,” Carlos says as he quickly assesses the area where the door was once attached to the car.
It looks stable enough and the car isn’t tilted to either side or unbalanced, so Carlos carefully climbs in and pauses to see if his added weight caused any shift. Once there’s no evidence of that, he moves closer to TK, their thighs side by side.
Carlos reaches around TK with his left arm, eyes glued to his middle and surely enough, TK’s t-shirt is stained with blood. The officer has to swallow against his dry throat at the sight, there’s so much blood already and TK is looking paler by the second.
Carlos’s hand finds its target, and his fingers brush against the tip of the metal lodged into TK’s side. He feels sick to his stomach as he begins to apply as much pressure as he could without causing further damage or sinking the metal deeper into TK’s flesh.
TK whines at the pain jolting through his body, waking him up a little as he squeezing his eyes shut, more tears run freely down his face.
“I know, I know,” Carlos speaks, his tone apologetic.
TK’s eyes start to droop, the momentary adrenaline already wearing off and his head falls backwards against the headrest.
“No, no, TK,” Carlos eyes go wide, his voice strained. “Keep your eyes open, stay with me.”
“Carlos…” TK whispers.
“Right beside you, babe. I’m not going anywhere.”
“You’re his fiancé,” the older man’s voice reaches Carlos’s ears from the front seat.
Carlos turns to face him with a questioning look, his eyes drawing together at the statement.
“He was,” the driver pauses to breathe. “He was talking about you before the crash.”
Carlos sucks in a deep breath through his nose, nodding as his eyes begin to glisten with unshed tears. “Yeah,” he turns back to look at TK. “He’s the love of my life.”
TK is still clinging to consciousness and Carlos receives a small smile from him at his declaration.
“That’s it, baby. Stay with me,” Carlos pleads once more, closing his eyes and gently resting his forehead against TK’s uninjured temple, melting into him.
He keeps a steady hold on TK’s side, and senses TK weakly gravitating towards him even more, Carlos his lifeline. TK uses all his remaining energy to reach out into the small distance and latches his hand onto Carlos’s arm, wrapping his fingers there.
“I got you, Ty, I got you.”
A few moments later, the air around them fills with the roaring of sirens, getting closer and closer.
“Hear that, TK? Help is here,” Carlos says, instilling hope with every word.
He turns his head in the direction of the incoming fire trucks and ambulances, watching as red and blue color everything around. His eyes immediately find the bold 126 painted on the truck that comes to a halt on the edge of the crash site.
“Hey!” Carlos calls out for the young man who lead him here. “Direct them this way!” He nudges his head towards the team who are disembarking from the truck.
The man nods and starts running towards the firefighters.
“Hang on, TK, hang on,” Carlos whispers.
He looks back into the open and relaxes just a fraction when he spots Judd on the man’s heels, jogging towards him.
Carlos can pinpoint the moment Judd realizes who he’s moving towards, the firefighter’s eyebrow raising a little.
“Reyes?” Judd calls out before he’s reached the car.
“Judd, it’s TK,” Carlos wastes no time in responding.
Those three words have Judd’s eyes going wide, his speed picking up and he runs the remaining distance to the car, coming to a stop on the side TK’s jammed.
“He’s stuck and bleeding badly,” Carlos continues, looking past TK and at Judd through the broken window.
“Shit,” Judd mutters and then louder, in the direction of the rig: “Tommy! Nancy!”
Judd’s eyes roam over TK’s ashen face, the younger man’s eyes barely opened.
“Hey, brother,” Judd speaks, his voice carrying its natural strength but also soft and filled with concern. “You’re gonna be alright, just hang on.”
He gets a half-nod from TK in reply.
Tommy and Nancy approach the car, each of them clutching their equipment and medical bags, ready to get to work.
“It’s TK,” Judd tells them when they’re by his side. They both pause midair as they’re lowering the bags, their eyes going equally wide as they process Judd’s words.
Carlos can see the worry flash over their faces and they share a quick look of concern before they both switch back into paramedic mode. He knows what they’re thinking, that they have to be at the top of their game. TK is family, and he can feel their fear and pain, but they need to focus so they can save TK.
They both meet Carlos’s worried eyes before getting to work.
“Hey, TK,” Tommy gets closer to the crushed door, gloves on and clicks her pen light. Her voice is calm and gentle, her motherly tone helps even Carlos relax a little.
“Cap…” TK whispers.
“Follow the light, TK.”
She shines the pen into TK’s glassy eyes, his pupils responding to the light as they should, albeit a little weaker than she’d like.
“Talk to me, Carlos,” Tommy says while her attention is solely focused on TK. “Tell me everything.”
“He said his head, chest and side hurt, his side is bleeding badly. I have pressure on it and I can feel a piece of metal stuck in there,” he swallows, feeling the blood seeping through his fingers. “The bleeding slowed down a little but he’s already lost so much blood.”
Tommy nods, accepting the c-collar from Nancy and carefully placing it around TK’s neck to stabilize him.
Judd looks up when he hears the rest of the crew approaching, and after a brief glance with Carlos, Judd moves in their direction, seeking out Owen.
“Cap,” Judd shields Owen’s view of the wrecked car.
Owen frowns, but immediately sees through Judd’s worried eyes. “What is it?”
Judd takes a deep breath. He has always been a straightforward guy, he won’t start beating around the bush now. “It’s TK, he’s in that car.”
Carlos’s heart breaks even more at the gasp he hears from Owen, followed by rapid footsteps pounding the gravel as the captain rushes over.
He’s at the car from Carlos’s side and looking past his shoulder a few moments later, Owen’s eyes blown wide as they move from his son to his soon to be son-in-law.
“Carlos.”
“His side is bleeding,” Carlos tells Owen, more tears gathering in his eyes. “He couldn’t reach it to apply pressure and I had to do something.”
Owen nods, his eyes going back to TK, who’s barely moving. “It’s gonna be okay, son. You’re gonna be okay. We’re here.”
TK slowly opens his eyes the rest of the way and looks in Owen’s direction through his blurry vision. He tries to send a wordless message to his father and fiancé of I’m okay.
Owen gives him a smile, but it’s shakier than he intended.
“Here,” Tommy’s voice grabs their attention. She hands Carlos a large piece of gauze as Nancy moves to the front to check the driver.
Carlos begins to move, and TK instantly whimpers and tries to keep his already weak hold on the other man.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay, TK,” Carlos is quick to reassure him. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He maneuvers his free arm to take the piece of cotton and swiftly lifts his bloodied palm to cover TK’s wound with the gauze and returns the pressure there.
The team has gathered what was happening and crowd the car, Carlos is vaguely aware of Judd telling them they’ve got TK and they should go around the rest of the scene to help.
And then Judd is back, evaluating the situation and weighing their options.
“His breathing is getting worse,” Carlos announces with fright as TK’s hold on him starts to falter. “We need to get him out now.”
“The driver is doing okay, Cap,” Nancy chimes in. “Alert and his numbers are holding.”
Tommy nods. “We get TK out first. Carlos, is the metal connected to the door or is it separated?”
Carlos shakes his head. “Separated.”
“That’s good, makes busting the door open easier,” Judd nods.
“Judd, grab the—” Owen begins.
“Jaws, got them,” Judd finishes for Owen before running in the direction of their truck.
He returns less than a minute later, but it feels like forever for Carlos and Owen as they watch TK struggle to hold on.
“Come on, come on,” Owen whispers, his eyes not leaving his son’s battered form as Judd returns, pushes the piece of equipment into the mangled metal and starts to tear it apart.
Tommy and Nancy get the backboard ready in the meantime, ready to move as soon as it’s clear. A lot of movement erupts when the door is finally ripped open. Judd lowers the jaws to the ground, quickly reaching for the cutters he had also retrieved and cuts the seatbelt off TK. It takes Carlos’s brain a second to catch up with all the action and then his eyes land on Owen now standing on the other side behind Judd as both men make room for Tommy and Nancy.
They carefully place the tip of the backboard against the backseat cushion and Nancy and Judd carefully take hold of TK’s shoulders, moving him sideways and then guiding him to lie on the board. Carlos goes with them, the pressure he’s applying constant and he only lets go once he’s certain Nancy’s taking over, her hand firmly covering his.
He pulls back and watches as Judd and Owen carry TK over to the gurney. He wastes no time in getting out of the car himself, darting to TK’s side.
Once TK is out, Judd starts working on extracting the driver.
Tommy and Nancy work in unison, the Paramedic Captain covering TK’s face with an oxygen mask while Nancy inserts an IV in his arm and runs a line. Carlos then notices that Owen is applying pressure to TK’s side with one hand while the other runs through TK’s hair.
Carlos takes TK’s hand, giving it a squeeze.
“Let’s move,” Tommy instructs a moment later.
Nancy takes over holding pressure as they push the gurney towards the ambulance, Carlos and Owen trailing behind.
“Carlos?”
Carlos turns at his partner’s voice, coming from a few feet away.
Mitchell is about to ask where he’s been but her eyes go wide instead when they land on TK lying on the gurney.
“I have to—”
She’s nodding before Carlos finishes his sentence. “Go, I’ll sort it out.”
“Thank you,” Carlos gives her the best grateful smile he could muster before hopping in after TK and Tommy.
“I’ll be right behind you,” Owen says once TK is inside the rig.
Carlos nods, taking a seat on the small bench.
Nancy shuts the doors and races to the driver’s seat, climbing in and the sirens wail as they start to move.
Owen watches the ambulance drive away, the hot pit in his stomach growing with each passing second.
Carlos and Tommy don’t exchange words, each of them focusing on TK. Tommy is monitoring his vitals, giving him fluids and administering a local nerve blocker to help with the pain.
Carlos clutches TK’s free hand with both of his own, closing his eyes and willing his racing heart to slow down a beat. He works on his breathing, steading his rhythm but he can’t help the stray tear that falls when he opens his eyes and looks at TK.
Carlos’s chest is in knots, his heart in pieces, TK is too still, too pale.
It’s almost like TK feels his fiancé’s anguish and pain, and on some level, he does because he’s weakly turning in Carlos’s direction. It’s always been a thing TK and Carlos talk about—the way they sense each other and what the other needs and this moment is yet another one to prove that connection true.
“It’s okay, ‘Los,” TK manages, his voice frail and muffled even more by the oxygen mask.
Carlos sniffs, moving closer to TK so he’s in his line of sight and nods. “Yeah, baby. It’s okay, you’re okay.”
“I love you,” TK whispers.
“I love you too, baby,” Carlos reciprocates. “Hold on.”
TK nods, a promise Carlos clings onto with everything he’s got. And he prays today isn’t the day he loses TK.
They’ve only just begun.
*****
It’s a short but tense ride to the hospital.
Tommy had examined TK’s chest and Carlos’s assumption that it was the seatbelt that hurt him is proven right by the massive red bruise already formed down the paramedic’s torso. Carlos had drawn in a sharp breath at seeing it, heartbroken that TK has been injured to that extent. Tommy had also told Carlos that TK may have also suffered a bruised lung from the force of the seatbelt against his chest.
A team is already awaiting their arrival, tearing the ambulance doors open as soon as it comes to a halt in front of the Emergency Room entrance. Tommy relays all the information as they push TK inside and through the hallways. They reach a point where Tommy, Carlos and Nancy can’t follow and Carlos has to reluctantly let go of his tight hold on TK’s hand.
His heart shatters as he watches the doctors and nurses wheel TK away, feeling like he’s been ripped away from him.
He stands there for what seems like hours, watching the hallway long after TK was pushed into the elevator, Carlos’s eyes fixed on its closed doors. He feels a hand land on his shoulder, and he doesn’t need to turn to know who it is.
“Come on, Carlos,” Tommy’s soft voice reaches him.
Carlos lets her lead him towards the waiting area and he drops into one of the plastic chairs, hating how familiar they have become.
He shakes his head then drops it slightly and only looks up when a few wet wipes are in his line of sight.
He gratefully accepts them but doesn’t move for a few moments after. His gaze is focused on his own hands, his hands that are covered with TK’s blood. And his ring, his ring is coated in crimson, nearly obscuring the silver underneath and it makes his stomach churn in an unnatural way.
Carlos closes his eyes, going back to the day TK had slid this ring onto his finger, to the joy and contentment they had both felt, they way they basked in each other’s love when Carlos had said yes. A tear rolls down the officer’s cheek, one he doesn’t bother wiping away. He sniffs, opening his eyes and begins cleaning his hands.
Once the evidence of TK’s accident and injury is transferred to the wipes, Nancy takes them from Carlos’s hold and throws them away before sitting down, too.
The silence stretches, the feel and sound of the hospital nearly haunting. Owen’s arrival breaks it, Carlos looking up when he hears his name being called from afar.
“Carlos,” Owen’s eyes are wide and movement quick.
“Owen,” Carlos gets to his feet in time for the Captain to throw his arms around him in a hug, which Carlos returns.
Owen gives Carlos a squeeze before pulling back. “Did they say anything?”
Carlos shakes his head. “They took his straight up, didn’t say much of anything.”
Owen nods and sits on the chair next to Carlos’s as he too returns to it.
Tommy and Nancy’s radios spring to life a little bit later, and they reluctantly leave, promising to be back as soon as they can.
Carlos starts rolling his ringer over his finger, a gesture he does when he’s nervous or anxious. TK would always notice, and he’d reach out, taking Carlos’s hand and holds it tightly; a silent promise that he isn’t alone, and that TK’s got him. Carlos would give anything to feel TK’s tender touch.
He notices that his ring is still speckled with blood.
“I’ll be right back,” Carlos says as he rises from his place. “Just going to the bathroom.”
Owen nods. “Take your time.”
Carlos follows the signs to the nearest bathroom and looks at himself in the mirror as he gets closer to the sinks. The bathroom is empty, his boots echoing in the space, his eyes not leaving his exhausted reflection staring back at him. All the color has been drained from his face, his eyes a stark red against his pale skin and his usually neat curls are out of place. His eyes drift lower until they stop at his waist where there’s a large, dark stain. His uniform is stained with TK’s blood.  
He swallows as he turns on the faucet and lets the water run down at the coldest temperature before sticking his hands under it and working the remaining traces of blood off his ring. He momentarily relishes the cool sensation against his skin, but he soon breaks watching the pink-tinted water swirl down the drain.
It feels like TK is getting further and further away from him as each second passes by. He feels like he’s losing TK.
Helplessness settles in his bones, barely turning off the water and he grips the marble to support himself as his entire body starts to shake with the force of his oncoming sobs. A cry rips through his throat and he tightens his hold on the marble, afraid that his knees will no longer hold him up and he’ll crumble to the ground if he lets go.
He feels the fear crawling underneath his skin, the terror ringing through his whole being, the longing, the pain…it all washes over him at the same time, and he almost collapses from the weight of it. But he holds on. TK needs him to hold on. So he draws in a deep breath, stands up straight and splashes icy water over his face a few times.
Carlos returns to the waiting area with swollen eyes and Owen runs a hand up and down his back once he’s seated next to him once again, patting his shoulder before pulling back.
“We…we were planning on going over to my parents’ for dinner this weekend,” Carlos’s shaky voice slices through the silence that settles over them. “Our schedules lined up and TK was so excited. He,” he pauses, a small smile forming on his face. “He was saying how we should bake something to take to dinner. Chocolate chip cookies. They’re his go-to when it comes to baking,” he trails off, his hands connecting and he starts nervously fidgeting, rubbing his hands together.  “Chocolate chip cookies,” he whispers.
“They were always his favorite kind of cookies when he was a kid,” Owen says.
Carlos turns to look at Owen, his features broken and eyes filled with fragments of loss and aching. “He’s going to be okay, right? He has to be. He…has to be okay.”
“He’s strong, and he’s in the best of hands. He’s going to fight to come back to us, to come back to you, Carlos. The happiest I’ve ever seen my son was when he was with you, even in the beginning, when you were still figuring things out, there was something different about him, I could see it, I could feel it. He seemed lighter, brighter. His eyes lit up. I didn’t want to pry or push to know more, but when I saw you together, I knew. You were the missing piece he needed, you helped make him better, stronger. He’s going to come back to that.”
“It was the same with me. He saved me, in so many ways,” Carlos expresses.
“You saved each other,” Owen replies with a smile, giving Carlos’s knee a squeeze.
Carlos and Owen move to the waiting room on the surgical floor a little while later. Owen sits down on an identical plastic chair while Carlos paces around the room.
He stops when he looks out into the hallway and sees the rest of the team making their way towards them, all wearing the same concerned look on their faces.
“We got here as fast as we could,” Judd says as they step inside.
“Have you heard anything yet?” Marjan asks, her eyebrows drawn together.
Owen shakes his head. “He’s been in surgery for almost two hours.”
“He’s a strong kid, he’ll make it through,” Judd speaks with a steady voice.
“I should go call my mom, let her know what happened,” Carlos starts walking towards the door.
Paul pats Carlos’s shoulder as he passes him, and Carlos responds with an appreciative nod.
Carlos’s short trip to go outside is a haze, moving robotically until he’s stepping into the open air, the sun still high in the sky. It’s hot, Carlos closes his eyes and tilts his head up in the direction of the sun, letting its warmth seep into his skin. He takes a deep breath as he opens his eyes, pulls out his phone and he notices a few texts from Mitchell. He makes a mental note to reply later and moves to the phone icon, touching his mother’s contact from his favorites list.
One ring, two rings, three rings…
“Carlitos!”
“Mami…”
Andrea immediately picks up on his broken tone. “What’s wrong, mijo?”
“It’s…There was an accident…a car pile up downtown and…TK, he…he was in it,” Carlos’s voice cracks.
“Oh, Dios,” Andrea draws in a sharp breath. “How is he?” She asks and Carlos can hear rustling and movement in the background now.
“He…he lost a lot of blood, Ma. He was stuck in the car and his side was hurt…they took him straight to surgery and we haven’t heard anything yet,” Carlos sniffs.
“Where are you? I’m on my way,” Andrea says.
Carlos can hear the emotion in his mother’s voice and he knows she’s trying to keep her worry and fear for TK from breaking through the phone. She’s always been Carlos’s rock, strong and steady, and he can tell by her tone that she’s keeping it together for him. Still, though, he can hear the slight waver in her voice at the knowledge that her soon to be son-in-law is badly injured, currently undergoing surgery.
Since the moment TK was officially introduced to Carlos’s parents, they welcomed him into their family with wide, open arms. They had immediately liked him and adored him, Andrea happily whispering it into Carlos’s ear at the end of that very night. They saw the love between him and their son, and it had uplifted Andrea and Gabriel’s spirits and filled their own hears with so much love and glee.
And when Carlos had called them one night, voice filled with bliss and excitement, telling them that TK had proposed to him, Andrea and Gabriel wept tears of joy.
Knowing how much Andrea loves TK, telling her that he was hurt is one of the hardest things Carlos has ever had to do.
“We’re at West Park Memorial,” Carlos replies.
With a promise from Andrea to be there shortly, they end the call. He returns to the waiting room a few minutes later, everyone’s eyes landing on him. Carlos feels shrunk, his shoulders drawn in, his body feeling so heavy.
“She’s on her way,” he says before turning to stare into the direction of the operating rooms.
“No news yet,” it’s Judd who speaks next, reading Carlos’s mind.
Carlos nods and returns to his seat next to Owen.
Silence falls onto the room, everyone doing little things to keep themselves busy. Mateo praying, Marjan and Paul standing and pacing, Judd grabbing a couch pillow and holding it against his chest, Owen’s head is thrown back against the wall with his eyes closed and Carlos’s leg starts bouncing up and down while he fidgets with his hands. His fingers gravitate towards his ring, the one tangible piece of TK he has with him in this moment. Carlos always gravitates towards TK.
The team eventually get called away to a rescue with their promises too to return as soon as they can.
Carlos’s phone rings and a glance at his screen tells him it’s his mother.
“Ma,” Carlos answers.
“Hi, mijo. I’m walking in now, where are you?”
“We’re in the waiting room on the surgical floor,” Carlos tells her.
“Okay, I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”
Carlos spots Andrea hurrying through the hall, handbag clutched against her side soon after they hang up.
“Carlitos,” Andrea breaths as she steps into the room.
Carlos walks over to her and falls against her as she wraps him in a tight hug.
“It’s okay, mijo. Va a estar bien,” she whispers reassuringly, holding him in a steady grip. It’s going to be okay.
Carlos returns the embrace, burying his face in his mother’s neck, more tears spring to his eyes at being held by his mother and feeling her safety and comfort.
There’s a considerable height difference between Carlos and Andrea, but right now, Carlos may as well be a little boy and she a giant. Her protective hold on him is steady and grounding.
Once they pull back, Andrea cups Carlos’s face and wipes the fallen tears with the pads of her thumbs.
“Any news?”
Carlos shakes his head.
Andrea walks over to Owen, who gets up and they exchange a quick hug.
“He’s going to be fine,” Andrea says as she takes a seat next to her son.
Carlos nods, his eyes drifting back to his ring.
“There was a missing ingredient,” Andrea says after a while.
Carlos frowns as he turns to look at her.
“I was talking to him this morning, I sent him the family recipe for tamales,” she explains. “He wanted to surprise you but there was one missing thing.”
“Our dinner date tonight…that’s why he was out, he was going to the store,” Carlos connects the dots, eyes filling with tears.
Andrea nods.
“That was his surprise,” the realization dawns on Carlos. “He knows tamales are my favorite,” a small smile forms on his face.
Andrea places her palm on the nape of Carlos’s neck and pulls him gently towards her. He goes easily and rests his forehead against her shoulder. She whispers comforting words in Spanish as she runs her fingers over Carlos’s short hair just above his neck. He closes his eyes, evening out his breathing as he soaks up his mother’s comfort.
*****
Carlos is staring into nothingness almost an hour later, his eyes glued to to the hallway but unseeing. His mind on TK, all figures that pass through and walk the hallway blurred. Until one doctor is walking towards the waiting room, his form getting clearer and clearer as Carlos forces his vision to focus on him.
The doctor is visibly tired, his face crunched up, still wearing his surgical cap as he enters the room. Carlos can’t read him, and that worries him even more. He braces himself, swallowing as the doctor starts speaking.
“Family of Tyler Strand?”
“TK,” Owen corrects as he gets to his feet. “How’s my son?”
Carlos and Andrea follow suit, the tension building in the small space.
The doctor nods at Owen. “TK made it through,” he offers them a kind smile.
The collective breath Owen, Carlos and Andrea were holding is released as they breathe out a sigh of relief. Carlos closes his eyes, letting the doctor’s words sink in, sagging forward a little. He feels Andrea’s hand running up and down his back, grounding him and he leans into her warm touch.
“There were some complications, however,” the doctor continues. “We were mostly concerned about the amount of blood he lost, which caused his blood pressure to drop. His numbers were low during the surgery but we were able to keep him stable and with some blood transfusions, his blood pressure began to improve. The metal shard nicked his kidney but it didn’t cause major damage, we were also able to repair the laceration. Brain scans were all normal, indicating no brain injury. His chest is bruised and he has a minor lung contusion from the force of the seatbelt, but that will heal on its own. He’s young and healthy, I expect him to make a full recovery.”
“Can we see him?” Andrea asks, knowing it’s on Carlos’s mind and also knowing Carlos is still processing the doctor’s prognosis.
The doctor nods. “He’s currently in recovery and he can have visitors once he’s settled in a room after some observation. I’ll make sure a nurse comes to inform you when he’s ready.”
“Thank you so much, doctor,” Owen extends his hand.
The doctor nods once more, shaking Owen’s hand. “He’ll be home in no time.”
Carlos is rolling his ring on his finger and nervously bouncing his leg a while later when a young nurse approaches them.
“TK is ready for visitors,” she announces with a smile.
Owen turns to look at Carlos. “Go,” he urges.
“Are you sure?” Carlos asks.
Owen nods. “I’m sure, I’ll stop by to see him in a while.”
Owen pats Carlos’s shoulder as the officer gets to his feet and follows the nurse towards TK’s room.
“I’ll be back in an hour to check on him,” the nurse says as they come to a halt in front of a closed door. “The nurses’ station is down the hall if you need anything, or you can just press the call button near the bed.”
“Thank you,” Carlos says, taking a deep breath and pushing the door open.
He knew what to expect, he knew what his eyes would land on once he stepped into the room but still, seeing TK looking so small and still in the hospital bed shakes Carlos to his core.
An ache bolts up and down his body as he makes his way towards TK, his footsteps echoing off the walls, the only sound aside from the beeping of the heart monitor. He doesn’t take his eyes off his fiancé as he lowers himself on the chair situated next to the bed, watching as the paramedic’s chest rises and falls with each breath he takes.
Carlos is at least glad to see that TK has regained some color but it’s the stillness that also makes the officer uneasy. TK is always active, even when he’s asleep, twisting and turning in bed every now and then. Carlos would say he’s a light sleeper, he loved when TK started spending the night in the early days of their relationship. Though TK’s restlessness would sometimes wake Carlos from his slumber, he’d wrap an arm around TK’s middle and drift off to sleep again only for it to happen again a few hours later. Carlos never minded that, though, he’d be woken up by many things over the years, and being woken up by TK’s movement is by far his favorite.
Eventually, those movements from the younger man through the night had become a source of comfort for Carlos over the months, a reminder that TK is right next to him, in his bed. It grounded Carlos, and a sleepy smile would spread over his face as he gravitates towards those movements, warmth spreading through his body.
But here, right now, Carlos shivers, an icy sensation darting through his nerves. TK’s stillness is wrong, all wrong and so unlike TK is breaks Carlos’s heart all over again.
Carefully, Carlos reaches out, clasping TK’s hand in his own and prays that he can feel the familiar pressure.
“Hi, baby,” Carlos eventually speaks, his voice hoarser than he expected. “I’m here and you’re okay. They took really good care of you and you’ll be back on your feet in no time. I just…I miss you, Ty.”
The only response Carlos gets is the steady beeping of the heart monitor.
He sighs, running his thumb over TK’s knuckles. “I miss your voice, your smile, those beautiful green eyes of yours…your kiss. Come back to me, babe. This is only our beginning, we still have so much to do together. And I’ll be right here, right by your side, always. I’m not going anywhere,” Carlos vows.
Some time later, Carlos is so focused on TK and watching him, he doesn’t hear the knock on the door or it being pushed open until he senses another presence in the room.
He turns to see Owen stepping in, and stops by the foot of the bed.
“He looks better,” the Captain says, his eyes glued to his son.
Carlos nods, and continues running his fingers through TK’s hair.
“Your mom is heading to your place to pack a bag for you and TK,” Owen adds after a few moments. “She said to tell you to call or text her if there’s anything in specific you’d like her to get. And she’s also getting you some food.”
Carlos nods again. “I don’t think I’ll be able to eat, though.”
Owen’s eyes soften. “I know, but you have to keep your strength up. He’s going to need you when he wakes up. You need to take care of yourself so you can take care of him.”
Carlos knows Owen is right, so he doesn’t argue. “Thank you,” he tells Owen.
“Thank you,” Owen reciprocates. “You saved his life.”
“Part of me hopes I could have done more, I felt so helpless just…I wish I could have done more,” Carlos drops his head.
“Hey, Carlos,” Owen walks over so he’s behind the officer. He places a hand on Carlos’s shoulder and gives him a supportive squeeze. “You did everything you could, I know you did. I’ve seen so many accidents to know that in that pile up today, TK’s chances were…” he trails off, shaking his head. “His chances weren’t good. If it wasn’t for you, TK wouldn’t be here right now.”
The mere thought of that brings tears to Carlos’s eyes. “A guy flagged me down and…I followed him and then I realized it was TK and…my whole world stopped.”
Owen nods. “I hate that you had to go through that but…part of me is glad it was you who got to him. Because I know you would have done, and did do, everything you can to keep him alive. You climbed into the wrecked car, and that says everything.”
Carlos moves his hand to cup TK’s face, lightly tracing his cheekbone with the tip of his thumb. “I would do anything to make sure he’s okay.”
A moment of silence washes over them as Owen dips his hand into his pocket and pulls it out, fist closed before opening his palm in front of Carlos.
“Here,” Owen says.
Carlos looks down into Owen’s open hand and a tear rolls down his cheek when he sees TK’s ring there.
“The nurse gave me his stuff after she lead you here. I thought you should hold on to it for him,” Owen explains.
Carlos sniffs, reaches out and takes the ring. He secures it in a fist and brings his hand over his heart, holding it there before leaning forward and brushing a kiss to TK’s temple.
*****
Owen stays until Andrea is knocking on the door, walking into a room carrying a duffel bag and a brown paper bag. The delicious smell immediately hits Carlos and his stomach rumbles. His mother must have heard it because she gives him a knowing smile.
Owen excuses himself a few minutes later, making Carlos promise to call if anything changes. With one final glance at his son, Owen leaves.
Carlos settles on the small table in the corner of the room as he unwraps the food his mom brought him. Andrea stands near the bed and plants a tender kiss to TK’s forehead then sits in the chair previously occupied by Carlos.
Carlos watches the sweet exchange and feels his heart flutter in his chest at the sight. It’s such a simple gesture but it speaks volumes of the way Andrea had come to love TK and happily welcome him into the family. Carlos had witnessed TK and Andrea growing closer and closer over the course of their relationship and it had made him happier than words could express. He’d smile, his heart soaring as he watched them in conversation or watched TK help Andrea in the kitchen, talking about anything and everything, while preparing dinner together at the Reyes ranch.
There’s pain and sadness in his heart at seeing Andrea sit next to TK’s hospital bed. And even more when he hears his mother’s broken whisper of oh, amor, as her eyes roam over TK’s battered face and he can tell she’s imagining the layers of bandages hidden underneath his gown.
Carlos can tell she’s struggling, trying to remain strong for both him and TK. Because not only is Andrea’s Carlos’s rock and support, but she is also TK’s.
“It’s okay, Ma,” Carlos reassures her. There’s so many layers to those three words, and she catches on to each and every one.
She gives him a small, sad smile, her eyes swimming with unshed tears.
“Your dad sends his love, and he said he’ll be by to visit TK soon, once he’s awake and strong,” Andrea says a little while later, after Carlos had finished eating, freshened up, changed into sweats and a hoodie, and returned to TK’s side.
She was about to get up to vacate his seat then, but Carlos shook his head and gestured for her to remain seated there. He dropped into the chair on the other side of the bed, the one Owen had grabbed from near the wall and had been sitting in.
Visiting hours were coming to an end and Andrea was getting ready to leave. With a gentle pat to TK’s cheek, she gets to her feet and clutches her handbag, Carlos following her.
“Carlitos,” she starts but Carlos is quickly shaking his head, knowing what she’s going to say.
“I can’t leave him,” he answers.
Andrea sighs. “It’s going to be busy in here tonight, they’ll be checking on TK every couple of hours and you need to rest, too.”
“I know, but I won’t be able to sleep if I do go home either. I’ll stay wide awake, worrying and wondering and going back home now, going back to our bed, without him or without knowing he’s really okay…I can’t. At least staying, I can grab an hour here and there when they aren’t checking on him.”
Andrea nods after a moment. She knew deep down that Carlos would stay, hence the bag she had packed. She’s cupping Carlos’s face, caressing his cheek before pulling him into a hug.
He goes easily, wrapping his arms around his mother and returning the hug. Her strong hold on him gives him strength himself, almost transferring some of hers to him and he soaks it all up.
“He’s going to be just fine,” Andrea whispers, kissing Carlos’s cheek as they separate.
Carlos nods.
“I love you, mijo,” Andrea expresses. “I love you both.”
“We love you, too, Ma.”
After a similar promise to Andrea like the one made to Owen, she leaves, grabbing the bag sitting next to the door containing Carlos’s bloodstained uniform on her way out.
Carlos returns to his original place next to the bed, his hand going back to TK’s.
“It’s just you and me now, babe.”
*****
It starts with one slow movement. It’s so slow Carlos would have probably missed it if he weren’t watching TK as closely as he is.
The sun has climbed high in the sky, the hours ticked by from the time Carlos had given up on sleep around dawn. It was a night filled with fitful and restless sleep, as he had expected and between the nurse checking on TK and Carlos’s own worry, the officer managed to get three hours of shuteye.
He couldn’t sleep past the moment light cracked through the darkness of the sky above, so he got up, running a hand through his loose curls and stretched his aching muscles. The sun slowly got higher and stronger, painting the sky in streaks of orange, yellow and red, the colors morphing together in a magical way. He watched the process through the thin curtain, getting lost in it for a few moments before directing his attention back to TK.
TK who still hadn’t woken up. Who hasn’t even stirred.
Carlos was awake during the nurse’s more recent visit and she had assured him that it was perfectly normal, that TK’s body still needed some rest and that TK is doing well. He thanked her, giving her a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes followed by a nod when she mentioned there’s a coffee station just down the hall.
He feels TK’s ring sitting in his pocket, and he longs for the moment when he’ll able to slip it back on his finger, where it belongs.
He kept a positive attitude, repeating the nurse’s comforting words in his mind over and over, clinging to them as more minutes passed by with no indication from his fiancé of waking up.
“Come back to me, baby,” Carlos had whispered, giving TK’s hand a light squeeze.
He eventually left the room for a quick trip to the mentioned coffee station, and was back by TK’s side in a matter of minutes.
He kept himself occupied replying to texts he had received—from Mitchell, some of his other colleagues at the precinct, and most recently the 126 group chat, while keeping an eye on TK, as well.
The texts were all replied to and the coffee had long been consumed when the slow movement from the bed catches Carlos’s attention.
A small nudge of TK’s head to side, his eyes still closed. For a second, Carlos thinks his mind is playing a trick on him. But then it happens again, in the other direction and that has Carlos moving forward, heart picking up speed in his chest.
“TK?” Carlos calls. “TK, can you hear me?”
His heart is on its way to sinking from the lack of response from the paramedic, but instead flutters because TK is slowly opening his eyes and finding Carlos through the haze.
Carlos’s face breaks into a smile that does reach his eyes this time, said eyes also filling with tears at the sight of the green irises he has so terribly missed.
“Hi, baby, hi,” Carlos continues, his voice soft.
“‘Los,” TK breaths, his voice scratchy and low but it’s his voice and Carlos can almost weep at his nickname that only TK uses.
“I’m here, I’m here. You’re okay,” Carlos reassures him. “Everything is going to be just fine.”
Carlos’s hand moves to cup TK’s face, caressing his cheek and his heart sings when TK summons all the energy he can and leans into Carlos’s touch.
“Get some more rest, babe, I’m not going anywhere,” Carlos says when he notices TK drifting back to sleep.
Watching TK’s chest rise and fall in a steady rhythm now, TK’s ring in Carlos’s pocket feels lighter.
*****
The sun is getting lower when TK wakes up again. Andrea had passed by and joined Carlos for lunch a couple of hours before, Carlos feeling better and able to eat properly.
He was sitting in his usual spot on the chair next to the bed, mindlessly going through his phone and switching between apps when the same nudge of TK’s head pulls his attention, albeit it’s a little more frantic than the previous ones.
“Hey, hey, baby,” Carlos gets closer to TK, eyes on his face.
TK’s eyes are faster in opening this time, landing on Carlos and then looking around the room.
“Carlos?”
“Right here, I’m right here.”
“What…” TK’s eyebrows draw together, confusion written all over his face.
“It’s okay, you’re okay,” Carlos takes hold of TK’s hand. “You were in an accident, you were hurt pretty bad but they took care of you and everything’s okay. Do you remember?”
TK nods after a second and swallows against his dry throat.
“Do you want some water?”
TK nods again.
Carlos grabs the plastic cup from the nightstand and guides the straw through TK’s parched lips. “Easy, slow sips.”
“How—how bad is it?” TK asks once he’s done drinking.
Carlos sighs as he returns the cup. “We don’t have to talk about that now.”
“Please…I…I need to know,” TK says with a low tone.
After a moment, Carlos nods. “You were stuck in the backseat, you had some cuts and scraps, a concussion, bruise from the seatbelt and…there was a piece of metal lodged in your side. You lost a lot of blood, and I tried to keep pressure as much as I could but I didn’t want to hurt you more and…” he sucks in a shaky breath.
TK uses his energy to squeeze Carlos’s hand, knowing where the officer’s mind is going, taking him back to the horrific accident scene. TK squeezes Carlos’s hand to ground him and bring him back to the present.
“Never in a million years had I expected to see you in that crash…I was actually thinking the opposite, that I won’t see you because it’s your day off. But then the universe flipped the table on me and there you were…” Carlos trails off and then shakes his head. “I’m sorry, you just woke up, this…this isn’t what you should be hearing.”
It’s TK’s turn to gently shake his head. “Hey, there’s nothing to apologize for. Whatever you need to let out, and everything you’re feeling and thinking…I’m here to listen, no matter what.”
“I don’t want to overwhelm you,” Carlos lowers his gaze.
“Look at me, baby, look at me. You can never overwhelm me…I know how tough this has been, and I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
Carlos tightens his hold on TK’s hand. “I was…so scared. I felt so helpless and it felt like you were being ripped away from me. And for a moment you were, when they wheeled you away and it broke me, in that moment, I shattered,” the tears get heavier in his eyes and with a blink, a tear falls and streaks down his cheek.
TK’s own eyes well up at seeing the pain and heartbreak drawn on Carlos’s face and coating his voice, wanting nothing more than to take it all away.
“I remember coming to after I blacked out from the initial crash and it was…terrifying. My mind hadn’t completely caught up with what happened and once it did, I was really scared,” TK sniffs. “I felt so alone. But you know what? When I saw you, well, at first I thought I was dreaming but then you reached out to me and touched me and it felt real, you felt real and warm and you were right there…I knew in my heart you were there and I wasn’t scared anymore. I didn’t feel alone anymore. I knew you would save me, like you did so many times before.”
More tears roll down Carlos’s cheeks at TK’s words.
“And you did. You saved me, ‘Los.”
Carlos lunges forward, taking TK’s face gently in his hands and plants a kiss on TK’s forehead.
“You saved me just as much,” Carlos whispers, looking into TK’s eyes where brown meets green, and there’s so much said without needing words, so much love communicated and felt. Carlos leans in, first touching their foreheads together and then brushing a tentative kiss to TK’s lips. And Carlos feels whole again.
“Also,” Carlos starts once he pulls back. “We’re definitely making those tamales once we’re back home.”
“You know?”
Carlos nods. “Ma told me. Missing one ingredient.”
“Yeah…I wanted to surprise you. You’ve been working so hard lately and I wanted to do something for you,” TK expresses.
“That means everything, TK. I just hate that you got hurt, I know neither of us could control what happened but still…I hate that it happened.”
TK nods. “But I’m here and I’m okay.”
“You are,” Carlos drops a kiss to TK’s cheek this time. “And one more thing,” he adds, a hand digging into his pocket.
He opens his palm in front of TK to reveal his ring and TK looks up at him, eyes glistening.
“I believe this belongs to you,” Carlos holds out his free hand to TK.
TK carefully lifts his hand and gives it to Carlos.
He watches as Carlos slides the ring on his finger, the familiar weight of it a comfort. He closes his eyes when Carlos brushes a kiss to the ring now sitting where it belongs, relishing in the touch.
“I love you, Ty, now and forever.”
Carlos's eyes are so soft and filled with love and adoration, it makes TK's heart swell with just as much love. He smiles, knowing he's found a home in Carlos. And he knows with his whole being that Carlos has found one in him, too.
“I love you too, ‘Los, always.”
And when TK gives Carlos the smile that’s reserved for only him, Carlos knows in his heart that they’re going to be just fine.
107 notes · View notes
detectivereyes · 3 years ago
Text
Even If You Stumble A Step, You’re Still Moving Forward
Summary: TK and Carlos move into their new home post-finale and TK doesn't exactly make the best first impression on their new neighbors...
Notes: this was like a fever dream i had a few months ago and then i stopped writing but decided to revive it last night so... here we are. also title creds (and emotional support creds) to jillian @marjansmarwani​ because this fic wouldn’t exist without her. and also s/o to brit @moviegeek03​ for being extra supportive of yet another fic where [spoiler] tk falls down the stairs again :/
read on ao3
TK shuffles through the maze of boxes stacked several feet high throughout their new home. The scene shouldn’t surprise him considering it was only a few months ago he was moving his own boxes into their old home. However it feels different knowing that most of this stuff isn’t actually theirs.
Well, it is theirs now he figures. But the fact remains that most of the stuff filling the space was either given to them by various members of the extended 126 family, or was recently purchased by TK or Carlos on one of their many trips to Bed Bath and Beyond. 
They had taken their time searching for a new place to live. Owen had made it clear that they were both welcome to stay with him (and Mateo) for as long as they needed, but TK had known it was time.
So when a townhome popped up on Zillow that met all their criteria, they wasted no time booking an appointment with the realtor. They both had instantly fallen in love with the open floor plan and deck out back. Plus they knew the extra bedrooms upstairs may come in handy someday.
While they knew the vertical layout of the home itself wasn’t the best, having more stairs than either of them were used to, it checked every other box and was right in their price range so they had wasted no time signing the lease.
A few days had passed since settlement and now most of their days were spent trying to unpack and make this new house into a home. It would never replace the one they had lost, but it had been exciting to build this new home together.
Though on this particular day, TK found himself alone in trying to get settled in since Carlos had a shift. With the 126 still out of commission, possibly forever, and the department not having any openings for paramedics, most of the unpacking was left for TK.
After getting a good chunk of the living room done, he checks the time and decides to go out and see if the mail has come yet. Not that he’s expecting anything with their address still being so new, and not getting much physical mail anyway to begin with. But it still provided a good excuse to take a break.
TK opens the front door and starts to make his way down the set of stairs leading down. 
He makes it about halfway before his attention is caught by one of his new next door neighbors, Mr. Martin- if he remembers correctly, exiting at the same time. Mr. Martin gives a friendly wave and TK goes to return the gesture.
Except, he’s not paying attention when he takes the next step, and he misses, his heel just barely hitting the edge of the step before he starts to go down. He tumbles until he comes to a hard stop at the bottom, with most of his weight coming down on his right knee, sending shooting pains up and down his leg.
The rest of his body is sore, and by the time his ears stop ringing, he can just barely make out a new female voice asking “Sir, are you okay?”
He opens his eyes, which he had not even realized he had squeezed shut at some point, to see his neighbor, Mrs. Bailey- his brain supplies, from across the street making her way over to check on him, worried lines painting across her forehead.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m fine,” he grimaces while pushing himself up to a seated position. He tries to hide the blush forming on his cheeks. Not the best way to make a good first impression on his neighbors.
“Are you sure, son? We can call for help if you need it. Someone you know, or 9-1-1?” Mr. Martin joins in the conversation.
“No!” TK interjects too quickly, startling both neighbors. He panics for a moment when the weight of the predicament settles in. He meets the gaze of both figures still staring at him, clearly concerned and waiting for him to say something. “I mean, I’m a paramedic. I’m fine. Or I will be fine. Thank you,” he flashes them both a quick smile before pushing himself up off the ground, ignoring the sharp pains that radiate from his knee when he tries to put any weight on it.
Getting back up the stairs is no easy feat, and he doesn’t have to turn around to know that both Mr. Martin and Mrs. Bailey are still watching him, concerned. Fortunately, they don’t know him well enough to try and follow or help. He’s not sure he would feel comfortable enough receiving help from some strangers. Half the time he doesn’t even feel comfortable receiving help from the people he does know.
He leans heavily on the railing, refusing to turn around out of fear of further mortification. Once he’s inside the home, he collapses right inside the hall, unable to go any further since his knee decided to stop cooperating.
A few tears pool in his eyes, and he’s unsure if that’s due to the pain or embarrassment. Not knowing what else to do, he takes out his phone and shoots a quick text to Carlos.
TK: we have to move
It doesn’t take more than a few seconds for the three dots to pop up before being replaced by Carlos’ response.
Carlos: ???
TK sighs and rubs his face, trying to figure out the best way to explain the situation.
TK: i feel down the stairs out front and all the neighbors saw
Carlos: Holy shit, are you okay??
He lets out a puff of air at that.
TK: you mean besides my bruised ego?
TK: no, i hurt my knee but i’m fine. that’s not the issue here.
Carlos: Okay, I’ll be home in an hour and you can let me be the judge of that. If I see any swelling, we’re going to the doctor.”
He rolls his eyes at Carlos’ worry. At worst, it’s a bad sprain, nothing that can’t be fixed with some icing and wrapping. But there are other things they need to worry about.
TK: you’re missing the point, carlos. the entire neighborhood thinks i’m an idiot. we can’t live here anymore.
TK knows he’s being dramatic, but the more he thinks about it, the more embarrassed he gets. The idea that these are people he’s going to have to continue to face everyday for the foreseeable future. And that now all they’ll be able to think about when they do see him. Now he’ll just be known as the guy who can’t walk down stairs.
Carlos: Relax, TK. I’ll be home soon.
TK: you mean our temporary place of residence which we will soon be moving out of
He doesn’t get a response after that. 
His mind continues to spiral while he waits for Carlos to arrive. He knows the other man is likely climbing the walls trying to leave his shift early but it would still be awhile before he could be allowed to leave.
Left alone with his thoughts, his mind keeps playing out the series of events that happened minutes ago. He can't help but beat himself up over embarrassing himself like that. Ironically enough, it’s not even the first time he’s fallen down stairs, having taken a tumble down the stairs in Carlos’ place a few months back. And of course he would manage to injure himself that time, and this time as well.
He should at least try to get up so he can find an ice pack to lessen the swelling. Sitting on the floor up against the wall can’t be doing his knee any favors. Yet he can’t bring himself to move, instead resting his head back against the wall and sighing.
TK pulls out his phone again, cycling through the apps until he hears the tell-tale keys jingling in the already unlocked door.
As soon as Carlos steps through the door, he nearly trips over TK in the doorway. “Woah, hey! TK, are you okay?” he crouches down to TK’s level.
TK shrugs. Now that he’s face to face with Carlos, he can’t help but feel suffocated by another person judging him, even if Carlos’ worry comes from a place of concern.
“Can I take a look at your knee?”
TK nods, allowing Carlos to gently inspect his swollen joint. He winces as Carlos traces his hand around his kneecap.
“This doesn’t look good, babe. I think we need to go to the hospital.”
“No, it’s fine,” he quickly shakes his head. The worried look in Carlos’ eyes only makes his heart ache, and he can only try to find ways to make it go away. “Just help me up and we can ice it. It will look better once the swelling goes down a bit.”
Carlos gives him a look that screams I don’t believe you but sighs. “Fine, but if it doesn’t…”
“I know, I know. You’ll drag my ass to the emergency room,” TK gives him a reassuring smile.
Carlos returns the smile, and extends a hand to help TK up. TK accepts, and allows Carlos to take on most of his weight once he’s standing. They slowly make their way over to the living room, with Carlos softly depositing TK onto the sofa. He then disappears into the kitchen before returning with an ice pack in hand.
“Thanks,” TK smiles, trying to mask the wince as Carlos places the pack onto his knee.
“Do you want to watch an episode of The Office?” Carlos asks, picking up the remote and settling in the spot next to TK.
TK shrugs, knowing that Carlos is just trying to appeal to him by offering to put on his favorite show. The other man doesn’t even like the show that much, often finding the humor dry and tasteless, but TK thinks he just doesn’t get it.
“Do you want to talk about what happened?”
There it is.
“I just can’t believe I did that in front of our new neighbors. They probably think I’m an idiot.”
“I’m sure no one thinks you’re an idiot, TK,” Carlos gently reassures him.
“Yeah all the neighbors saw me make an idiot of myself,” TK sighs exasperatedly. “God, how am I supposed to face these people everyday now?”
“Hate to break it to you babe, but this is not a valid reason for us to move.”
“I know,” he sighs again.
“Besides,” Carlos continues. “If your track record has proven anything, it’s that this won’t be the last medical emergency at our new home. It’s good that the neighbors are getting used to it now.”
TK gives him a pointed look.
“I’m pretty sure this is the second time you’ve fallen down the stairs since we’ve started dating,” Carlos says with a light chuckle.
“Whatever,” TK scoffs. “At least the other time it wasn’t in front of total strangers.”
Carlos softens. “That’s true. But I’m sure the neighbors just care about you. I don’t think this is that big of a deal, TK.”
“You weren’t there though. It was mortifying.”
“What did they say, exactly?”
TK nervously looks down. “They asked if I was okay. And if I needed any help.”
Carlos raises his eyebrow, waiting to see if TK continues. 
“They offered to call for help but I said no and went back inside.”
“See? They just care about you TK. I haven’t really talked to anyone yet but they seem like nice people.”
“I guess,” TK shrugs.
“I know, you’re still embarrassed. But if nothing else, they’ll probably forget about it by the next time we see them.”
“You don’t think I’ll be known as the ‘clumsy neighbor who can’t walk down stairs’?”
“Maybe the ‘cute clumsy neighbor that can’t walk down stairs,’” Carlos says with a smirk. “But we could always change that.”
TK cocks his head to the side. 
“You think our new neighbors might enjoy some peach scones when we go over and have a proper introduction?”
“You really plan to charm our new neighbors with your baking?” 
“You think it will work?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then yes, I do,” Carlos grins proudly. He then leans over and gently removes the ice pack from TK’s knee, grimacing at what he sees. “This still looks pretty swollen, babe. I think we need to go to the hospital.”
TK gives him a pained smile. “You sure I can’t talk my way out of this?”
“Nope,” Carlos says, popping the p. He stands up before extending his hand to help TK do the same.
TK accepts, shifting his weight and leaning into Carlos once he’s fully upright. 
“You know, I think you may have a paramedic blindspot when it comes to your own health.”
TK lets out a light laugh. “Yeah, I’ve been told.”
A week later, Carlos softly knocks on the door of Mrs. Bailey’s home across the street with one hand and a plate of peach scones in the other. TK had offered to hold the scones but when they went over to Mr. Martin's home earlier in the day, it was quickly discovered it was too difficult for him to manage getting up the stairs and holding the plate.
So he settles for letting Carlos do most of the work while he awkwardly limps up the stairs, leaning heavily on the railing to keep some pressure off his knee.
After their quick trip to the emergency room, it had been determined that TK’s initial assessment was right and it was just a bad sprain. He was given a brace to help reduce the pain and a pair of crutches, which (much to Carlos’ dismay) he abandoned after only two days, citing that they only made it harder to get around their home which he can now say for certain has too many damn stairs.
A problem which seems to follow him as he also has to get up the stairs to greet his neighbors.
“Maybe we should have moved to a neighborhood of single level homes,” he states with a wince as he joins Carlos at the front door.
Carlos snorts. “We can take it into consideration if we ever have to move again.”
“God, please don’t say that. I don’t want to think about moving ever again.”
“Good,” Carlos gives him a soft smile. “Because I’m planning on staying here for the long run.”
“Me too,” TK returns the smile just as Mrs. Bailey opens the door.
“What a lovely surprise!” she exclaims taking in the sight of the two men. 
“Hello ma’am,” Carlos says with a polite smile.
“We brought you some scones,” TK adds, gesturing to the plate in Carlos’ hands.
“Oh how thoughtful of you. Please come in. How are you doing?” she asks, turning to TK. “I’ve been worried.”
He exchanges a look with Carlos, the other man's face clearly saying I told you she cares, before turning back to Mrs. Bailey.
“I’m fine, ma’am. Thank you for asking. It’s just a bad sprain. But I do appreciate your concern, especially the other week.”
“Oh, of course dear,” she says with a warm smile. “Now, you boys aren’t going to make me eat these scones all by myself are you?”
They both let out a light chuckle and exchange another glance before following their new neighbor, and friend inside.
59 notes · View notes
therogueheart · 4 years ago
Text
I Know You (You’re Part of Me)
Please note this work contains spoilers for the 911: Lonestar crossover episode. This work does not contain spoilers for 911: S04E03.
TW: No trigger warnings.
“It was you, wasn’t it?”
They were docked at the 126, invited to stop over on their way from the fireline to use the showers and change into clean clothing. Buck had let the others go first and Eddie had hung back under the pretence of calling his Abuela to let her know they were coming back.
Buck was leaning over the partition wall in the common area, head tilted, looking at Eddie like he could see right through his ribs and into his heart. 
“What was me, Buck?” he asked, arching a brow with a half-smirk. A lot had happened over the past four days and there was a lot he could answer for. Buck pouted at him in that stop trying to play with me way. 
The kind of way that made Eddie want to reel him in and leave him gasping for air.
“How did you know we’d go darkside for a rescue op?” Buck asked in lieu of answer; brows furrowing. The last of the 118 had trickled out of the showers so Eddie scooped up their bags and headed in. 
“I knew you’d go darkside. TK was a good bet, but I was fifty-fifty on whether you’d convince him to stay and take the truck yourself,” Eddie confessed. He’d seen enough of Buck in TK’s eyes to go straight to the 126 crew, though. 
He began to undress and Buck hopped up on the polished counters, legs swinging as he looked at Eddie carefully. His silence begged further explanation, and Eddie complied. 
“I know you, Buck. I knew the moment you heard someone was trapped you were gonna throw your name into the bowl. And then you found out it was someone’s father - TK’s father - and I took one look between you both and knew that was the deal done. Especially when you were told no.”
And fuck, but it had terrified him. The thought of Buck, alone or with just one other firefighter, storming into the midst of a wildfire...Even to save lives, to save one of their own...
Eddie was selfish that way. 
“How did you know I’d go for a truck?” Buck asked, and Eddie shot him an oh, please look. Knowing Buck would go for a truck over a buggy was as easy as knowing Buck would throw his fool ass into the flames in the first place. 
Buck pulled a face and Eddie stripped off his shirt, moving to lean on the countertop next to him. 
“I kept an eye on you. I know when your head is working. And sure enough, I saw you sneak into the tent and lift the keys from the board.”
“Okay. So you knew I’d go, and you knew I’d steal one of the trucks,” Buck trailed off, clearly thinking. Eddie let him for a moment, then put him out of his misery. 
“Like I said. I know you. I know you enough that one look at you and I knew you were going. And I knew I wasn’t going to let you go alone. But I also wasn’t stupid enough to sneak off without telling anyone where we were headed,” he pointed out. 
Buck’s face pinched and Eddie knew with satisfaction he’d given Buck something to think about. He could never stop Buck from running into the danger zone, but at least he could make sure Buck wasn’t alone when he did it. 
“So I went to Judd,” he shrugged, pushing away, hands drifting to his belt. Buck’s gaze followed, pupils dilating slightly. 
“Judd said if you offered TK a line, there wasn’t a way in Hell he wouldn’t take it - get undressed, Buck. We move out in under an hour - so Marjan distracted the Captain and I figured out which keys you stole, and you know the rest”.
He didn’t miss the way that Buck frowned at the mention of Marjan, face going a little sour before he obliged and slid off the counter. He stopped and turned, though, biting at his lower lip. 
“You didn’t have to come. You shouldn’t have come,” Buck stressed after a moment. You have Christopher went unsaid. You’re worth more than me lingered between them. 
Eddie stepped closer, shorter but the point of authority in the moment. 
“Where you go, Buck, I follow,” he told him. Firm but soft, the way Buck received the best. Bobby had it down to a talent, especially after the mess of the lawsuit. Eddie hadn’t taken long to figure it out himself. 
The words seemed to devastate Buck, but in the good way, if there was one. It was the same look Buck got whenever someone included him in the definition of their family, or said they were proud of him. The kind of broken warmth in his eyes whenever Eddie saw right through his façade. 
"You really thought I wouldn’t know? That I didn’t know you well enough to understand you’d do anything to make sure someone didn’t lose the one they loved? That someone didn’t lose their Bobby?”
Buck crumpled at the words, gaze darting away. Tongue on his lip, head dropping lower. Buck never knew what to do when Eddie carved him out and handed him everything he’d tried to hide and away and protect.
“And you really thought,” Eddie continued, a hand reaching up to brush at Buck’s birthmark, thumb gentle against the pink skin. “That I’d let you go alone? Without me?”
We go together.
“I go where you go,” Buck murmured into the scant space between them. Nothing they hadn’t said before, but both of them could feel that the past four days had somehow changed the meaning of them. Given them more weight. 
“Good,” Eddie breathed, praise and confirmation at once. “And don’t you ever forget that I know you like part of myself, Evan Buckley. You ever try to leave me behind again and there won’t be anything left of you for Bobby to yell at,” he warned, helplessness and anger and insecurity creeping in for a brief moment. 
For a moment, they just stood there. Inches away from each other, silently reminding themselves that they’d made it out. They’d gotten through it, together. One more time rolling the dice on their lives and they’d won. 
And maybe they’d cashed in on another win, too. Finally reached the end of a game they’d been playing for three years now, one maybe neither of them had even realised they’d started. 
But here, in a strange station twenty hours from home still stinking of smoke and destruction, was not where Eddie was going to move his piece over the finish line. Buck deserved better than a rushed kiss in the bathroom of someone else’s second home, and twenty hours after where they couldn’t talk about it because they were cramped in with other people. 
He was in this for the long haul, and Buck deserved nothing less. 
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yamithediaperdork · 3 years ago
Text
Big Brother Loves you (Digimon)
Matt was riding cloud nine as he got ready for his date with Sora. no one was threatening the digi or real world, things with him and Sora were going great, and the sales of the new lone wolf's CD meant he had money to burn.
There were only two dark clouds in his sunny sky line was the fact TK had become more and more aggressive as of late, and belittling of Matt, because of the second problem: Matt had started bed wetting again.
It wouldn't of been so bad if TK didn't live with Matt, his share of the rent being paid by their parents and likewise for his food. and with school out all TK did was work out and lounge around the apartment while Matt had to mange the lone wolfs, keeping up gigs and doing band practice.
Since the accidents had started TK was always calling Matt 'little brother' or 'baby bro' or worse 'pissy pants' and after the fifth accident had gone out and gotten -4- packs of overnight diapers, using Matt's debit card.
when Matt had gone to say something about it TK had balled up a fist and brought it in like he was gonna punch Matt, making the older boy yelp and almost piss himself.
"That's what I thought. wear these to bed on your own Or I'll diaper you pissy pants. and If I diaper you, you're wearing the diapered till they're wet AND messy." TK had said and his evil smile left NO doubt in Matt's mind that he would follow though.
Still all that was behind him. He had booked a table at one of the finest restaurants in the city for him and Sora and then he'd gotten them a spot at the hottest club in town for drinks and dancing and finally reserved a hotel room for them.
It was going to be the perfect night and just thinking about Matt's head was up in the clouds, in a pair of black dress pants and a light green dress shirt that he didn't notice when TK came in, till his bully of a little brother spoke up.
"Oh my, your all dressed up for tonight! going out with the slut?" TK asked, smirking and leaning against the wall.
"D-Don't call Sora that, and yes, we're going out. Tonight's gonna be the night when we give yourself to each other. she's gonna be my first and I'm gonna be here." Matt said hotly.
"Awww, that's cute! you think she hasn't been ridding cock while waiting on you to build up the nerve to wreck her shit?" TK laughed. "Look baby bro, Let me spare you some time. That bitch has been putting out for any cock she could get her hands on, as long as it's 7 inches or more. Your little 4 inch wonder stands NO chance and let's be honest, your gonna blow your load in your pants before getting that far like you did during that slow dance at Joe's graduation party."
Matt was blushing super bad now, recalling the incident. Sora had been in a stunning gown, he'd been in a tux and halfway though the slow dance he'd creamed his pants so bad he'd stained her dress.
"T-That won't happen this time! Look, you're getting the house all to yourself tonight so just shut up and go plan a party alright?!" Matt huffed and Clenched a fist.
"Wait, your going out overnight? You sure Sora's gonna be ok with your 'little' problem?" TK said, noting Matt's fist and clearly not worried. "I doubt she's gonna wanna keep dating you after you piss on her in your sleep, and ditto when she see's you in your bed time diapies."
"Look asshole, just butt out of it and leave me alone or I'll-" Matt huffed, storming over and trying to get in TK's face, though due to a growth spurt TK was now the taller of them.
"You'll WHAT?" TK asked, and grabbed Matt by the collar with his left arm and hand and lifted him up off his feet and balled his hand into a fist and pulled his right arm back.
Without waiting for a answer Tk's threw the punch, though it stopped JUST in front of Matt's face the effect was instant and a hissing was heard as Matt's crotch dampened, then piss ran down his legs and puddled on the floor.
"That's what I thought bitch. I think your girlfriend deserves a night out with a real man." TK said and dropped Matt onto his ass, into the smelly puddle. "Get that mess cleaned up and then take a shower and meet me in my room. I'm gonna get you ready for the night."
With the mess cleaned up and Matt in the shower, TK listened to the soft sobs of shame and smiled even as he picked up his cell phone and starting to make a text message.
He'd gotten Sora's number from Matt's phone awhile back, and they had chatted off and on with TK asking her not to tell Matt he was messaging her, claiming Matt was the jealous type. So it was child's play to not only write a message explaining the full details of what kind of a loser Matt was, but to send her a few pictures of Matt in all his diaper bitch glory.
TK: Hey Sora, heard bout you and Matt's special night and I think there are some things you need to know about him.
Sora: Oh hey TK.
Like what?
TK: Well you already know he's a quick shot lol
Did he tell you how small he is?
Sora: LOL everyone knows about the quick shot thing.
Wait why do you know his cock size?
just how close are you two!?
TK: Well I know how 'big' he is because of his other other problem. He's a bed wetter and wears diapers to bed
Sora: LOL
Nice try TK
If your jealous just say so.
TK: Hey I'm not just blowing smoke. I got pictures and a video of him humping his huggies.
Sora: Surrre you do.
TK smirked and select a few of his favorite Matt pictures. one with him in just a diaper, on his back, hugging a teddy bear and sucking on his thumb in his sleep.
Anther with him holding a clearly soaked diaper away from him, holding it with just his index finger and thumb and holding his nose, in just a old white t-shirt.
and his favorite and most damning, Matt blushing and eyes closed, holding out a diaper and making it look like he was asking whoever took the picture (AKA him) to diaper him.
Sora: OMG O.O
TK: Still think I'm lying? XD
Sora: What the fuckkkk.. This looks less like bed wetting and more like he's a big fucking baby!!!!!
TK: XD well to be fair he loved being teased and treated like a little guy, so sometimes I wonder if he's still bed wetting.
or just using it as a excuse for huggies.
Sora: Wait, you said there was a video?
Let me see!!!
TK: heh, ok. it's about 5 min. long. perfect timing because piddle pants just got out of the shower after wetting himself LOL.
With the video sent to Sora, TK set his phone down and tugged out the extra pack of diapers he kept under his bed in case Matt ever tried to get out of wearing by saying he had used up all the ones in his room.
unlike Matt's normal bedtime diaper though, these were three times thicker and instead of being a basic white they had a nursery print on them.
there was a knock on his door and then it opened, and TK smirked, with the pack of 'little wussies, the baby diaper for big boys' sitting out on his bed and watching Matt's eyes go big and wide as he say what he would be wearing.
"T-TK no! please!" Matt mewed, his towel dropped to the floor and on his knees, hands together and begging. "I can't wear a diaper THAT thick out! Sora will notice fore sure! I'll be a good boy and wear one of the other diapers!"
TK thought about it for a second, but with Sora already told he figured it was too late for that fun.
"Relax Matt, I swear, Your not going out tonight in one of these diapers.Or in any diapers for that matter." TK said, coming over and tugging his so called big brother to his feet, a look of relief washing over Matt's face then replaced with confusion.
"Then.. why did you ha-" he started to ask, but TK cut him off.
"Because your not going out tonight. you're going to stay home and be tucked in bed save and sound like the little guy you are. I'M going to go out on your date with Sora and fuck her rotten..all on your dime." TK said and smirked.
"I..what!? Sora would NEVER agree to that! you can't do this!" Matt fumed and stomped a food.
"that's where your wrong. I might of texted her and gave her the impression your a closet diaper baby and she's more then a little shock. Right now she's watching a video of you humping your diapers while lisping about how much you love them." TK chuckled.
"But..but..You MADE me do that, you said if I didn't you were gonna kick my ass and lock me out for the night!!" Mat whined.
"Well -YOU- know that. and -I- know that. But who do you think Sora's gonna believe? the stud or the bed wetting loser?" TK asked smirking then giving Matt a look."Now, Your going in one of these diapers and your gonna pose for a picture to send to Sora one way or anther. we can do this the easy way where you let me do what I want, or the hard way where I spank your butt red and diaper you and take a picture anyways. Since I'm gonna get laid tonight I'm feeling generous and I'll let you pick: good boy or bad boy?"
Matt balled up his fists, looking ready to fright, starting to take a fighting stance.. then just dropped it and slumped forward, head hanging down.
"...I'll be a good boy." Matt said in a defeated voice, even as tears started to slide down his cheeks.
"Smart choice Mattie."
Sora couldn't believe what she was seeing as she watched the video over and over, waiting on TK to come back. Her so called stud in a diaper and humping his bed, moaning and coo'ing how much he 'wuv'ed his diapies' till he cried out and clearly creamed himself.
Sora was torn as she watched the video. On one hand she was upset that Matt had hidden this from her, She'd of never picked him over Tai if she had known he was a goo goo gaga diaper dork.
But on the other he WAS kinda cute in a pathetic sort of way and he WAS making decent coin.
"I suppose I could just blackmail to pay me to keep his dirty little secret." Sora mused out loud.
that DID leave her without a man though, Making her frown a little till she recalled just how in shape TK was and he was pretty good looking.
"then again small dicks might run in the family." she mused.
her phone buzzed and when she looked at the messages she was treated to a picture of Matt in just a babyish and thick diaper, tear stained cheek and holding up a sign that read 'plz dump me and go out with TK, He's hung.'
And to prove the point neck to Matt's tear stained face was a thick and long cock, ready to rub on the loser's cheek.
"..Well that settles that."
Still something like this shouldn't be done over a text, she was a proper lady after all and called TK's number instead.
As the phone rang TK smirked, tugging his pants back up and looking over at Matt.
"I wonder who that could be~" he snickered and answered. "Hello? Oh hey Sora... yeah that was my cock.... Uh-huh I thought as much. Sure you can still come over. I'll be getting a shower in and getting dressed for the night after I get the baby fed and put to bed." TK said, glancing over at a clock showing it was only 5:45 pm. "Hmm? Oh yeah, he's right here. Of course you can talk to him!"
Tk pulled the phone away from his ear and smirked at the sniffling Matt and held it out.
"It's for you diaper boy, Your 'girlfriend' wants to talk."
Matt whined and reached out, shaking as he took the cell phone and slowly put it to his ear.
"H-Hi Sora..L-Look I ca-" he started, but was cut off.
"There's nothing to explain Matt. I know everything. while I'll admit your a cute little pamper packer,I'm more into men who can get their rocks off without having to be pampered. So consider this your noticed that we're done, over, No more. I'll still come by and tease you but I'm going to be dating TK from now on." Sora said, a sharp edge to her voice and Matt felt the tears starting up again.
"But..but.." he whimpered.
"No butt's diaper boy. Now I will be nice and keep your love of huggies to myself and save your music career from flopping but my silence isn't for free. you're going to be spoiling me like the princess I am. Understood?" She asked.
"..I..Yes Sora." Matt whimpered and sobbed. "C-Can we at least still be friends?"
"heh, Awww~ How cute..and I'm gonna say not really. I'll put up with you when i've over there to be with TK but that's about it. I'm not gonna go out of my way to talk to you or be nice but I will make a effort not to make you cry, mostly because I hate the sound of bawling babies. Maybe if your a good boy and super spoil me I'll watch you hump a stuffie or whatever it is diaper losers like you do. Anyways, that's all I had to say to you, put your BIG brother back on the phone."
Matt was sobbing too hard at this point to say anything and rubbing his eyes with one hand, he held out the phone with the other.
TK took it back and ruffled Matt's hair.
"Thanks buddy. why don't you go and make yourself a bowl of cereal for your supper while the adults talk." TK said and Matt could hear Sora laughing.
Too defeated to argue, Matt nodded and started to stand up.
"what do you think your doing Mattie? In this house babies CRAWL." TK said.
Matt just whimpered and nodded, and on all fours crawled out of the room.
Tummy full of milk and cheerio's, Matt was put in a light green t-shirt that read 'diaper bitch' on the front in black text and was given a cock sharped pacifier with a green mouth guard to suck on, the dick being only 3 inches thankfully.
"There, you can picture it's yours and your getting a blow job as you got night night." TK snickered as he tucked Matt into his bed.
there was still sunlight coming into the room, even with his curtains closed.
"now I expect you to have that paci in your mouth and for that same diaper to still be on when I get back tomorrow morning, and I signed my name on the back of that diaper. I'll know if you removed it or changed it." TK warned.
Matt mewed and suckled on his paci and nodded he understood.
"I'll be taking your wallet of course and spoiling Sora, but if your a good little boy I might get you some baby toys. Have a good sleep loser, and dream about the pounding your EX girlfriend is gonna get." TK said and kissed Matt's forehead and headed for the door.
Pausing in the door frame he paused and looked over his shoulder.
"Oh and one last thing..remember big brother loves you~"
the end
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terramous · 4 years ago
Text
fire so hot at their backs; better to hit the ground
not another 2x12 fire spec fic... i would never..... title: lily kershaw - ashes like snow word count: 1.7k AO3
Carlos had always imagined that he would know what to do if he was ever caught in a fire. After all, his boyfriend had been a firefighter for seven years.
Smoke rises.
Fire spreads faster than you think.
Air can get so hot and full of irritants that every breath feels like swallowing a branding iron.
You can be surrounded by sources of light and still not be able to see two feet in front of you.
“Carlos, I need you to breathe!”
It was hard to hear them over the inferno raging all around but he could tell they were desperate.
“Breathe. C’mon, baby. Please.”
He was his father’s son, he could never refuse an order. He took a deep breath that sent his lungs and chest spasming with coughs that forced their way up his throat.
“Good job,” TK said with a watery smile. There were the tell-tale tracks of tears cutting through the dark smears of soot and ash on his cheeks and Carlos could see that half of his shirt was smouldering but he seemed to be paying it no mind.
“I know it’s hard. I know you’re tired. But you gotta keep your eyes open and you gotta keep trying to breathe for me, okay?”
In a flash of motion that blurred in the tears gathering in Carlos’ eyes, TK pulled off his shirt and was pressing the balled-up fabric over Carlos’ nose and mouth who gratefully took a deep breath of the surprisingly clearer air. It smelt like ash, and burning, and sweat, and TK.
“It’s not the best but this should help.”
Carlos didn’t have the energy, nor the ability to think clearly enough to reply. He wanted to say a lot of things: it helps, thank you, I’m sorry, I love you, I’m so tired.
Instead he just tried to focus on breathing because TK seemed to calm down every time he inhaled. The last thing he wanted to do was scare TK but he figured they were both beyond that point now.
Here they were, on the ground as their home and all the memories that they had tied to this location went up in literal flames. TK was shirtless and kneeling in front of Carlos, cradling his face in his hands as he coaxed Carlos through every breath he took.
And it wasn’t like Carlos couldn’t see the burns marring TK’s torso. Red angry wounds wrapping around his ribcage and undoubtedly more that Carlos couldn’t see. But he swore if he stretched out his hand to touch TK’s side his fingers would connect with the familiar curve of TK’s ribs, unguarded by the skin he had spent hours trailing his fingertips, his knuckles, his palms and his lips over.
They were going to die here.
There was no doubt about it. TK was trying to keep Carlos’ eyes on him but he could tell that the fire was getting closer to the both of them, and Carlos was barely holding on to whatever shreds of consciousness he had left, and he could tell that despite how TK was trying to keep a brave face, that he was losing strength too.
At least, after all this time, turmoil and near-death experiences, they weren’t going to be alone in their final moments.
Carlos had always been afraid that he would die alone.
He’d had countless nightmares as a kid that he was trapped alone in a burning car or calling out desperately for his parents, his sisters, anyone, to come help while he held a shaky hand over a deep wound but no one ever came.
It’d only gotten worse after he’d come out. Fearing that he’d lie bleeding in the street and only after he was gone that his parents would accept him. That everything he wanted to tell them would hang unsaid forever. That he wouldn’t get the chance to mend whatever he had broken between them.
And then he’d become a cop. It brought him a little comfort to think that if he died on the job he’d at least have a partner there. He didn’t have to be alone.
He’d long moved past fearing death, it was an inevitability and it did him no good to be afraid of it. It was always the idea of being alone that killed him.
But after all those dreams and nights of stress and fear, he didn’t have to be afraid of anything because TK was right there and he wasn’t going anywhere.
There was probably more he should be thinking about in his final moments. His family, his parents who would have to bury their son. TK’s parents. Their friends who had become family.
Nothing really mattered other than TK leaning down to press their lips together.
It wasn’t intense, or fiery, or passionate, as Carlos had gotten used to. It was just contact and a soft pressure. Carlos could taste TK’s tears as he trailed his tongue along his boyfriend’s lower lip, hoping that if they deepened the kiss he could lose himself in TK.
The distraction would have been nice but it was clear that neither of them had the strength for that.
This wasn’t a moment of lips locked in a physical affirmation that screamed ‘I never want to be without you’ or half-asleep lazy kisses they shared at the start and end of every day.
TK didn’t move, didn’t dare breathe as they lingered there. In any other instance it would have been awkward, but neither of them wanted to draw away.
This was goodbye.
The last thing Carlos felt before he slipped into unconsciousness was TK running his fingers through his hair as they finally separated.
-
TK could tell that Carlos had passed out, his head becoming heavier in TK’s hands.
This was the end.
TK could probably have found it in him somewhere to resent the fact that their story had come to an end so soon, but there would always be so much more of him that was grateful that despite everything he had been lucky enough to even know Carlos Reyes, let alone to be able to love him and be loved by him.
Every moment with Carlos had been the best of TK’s life.
Carefully, he eased Carlos onto the floor, lying him down on his back. He looked almost as if he could be sleeping. There was a sting in TK’s chest that knew that wasn’t the case.
But he could pretend.
He could pretend that he was crawling into bed after a long shift, joining Carlos who was already asleep. He lay down next to Carlos and wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling their bodies together.
Settling his head on Carlos’ chest, TK pressed his ear to his lover’s skin. He let the soft pitter-patter rhythm of Carlos’ heart lull him into darkness.
When they were found, they would look almost peaceful, curled up together like the remains of ancient lovers who could not fathom being apart for even a second in their last moments. If anyone had stopped for a few seconds to study them before pulling them apart, they were sure to find a picture of serenity on TK’s face.
After all, there was nowhere he’d rather be in his death than by Carlos’ side.
The darkness was brief.
Death hurt, and everything was so bright.
Death looked a lot like the lights on the ceiling of an ambulance.
TK’s brain finally managed to grasp the concept that he wasn’t dead as his chest hitched and he choked on the breath he was trying to take. There was a flurry of motion that he couldn’t quite comprehend.
“Carlos,” he forced out between laboured breaths, his voice so scratchy and hoarse that he couldn’t even recognise it anymore.
“Shh,” someone cooed. “Just breathe. You inhaled a lot of smoke.”
That wasn’t Carlos’ voice despite how much TK craved to hear it and it’s absence brought tears to his eyes. He knew it though.
His vision pieced itself together slowly and he could see Tommy hovering over him, pressing an oxygen mask over his face. He was alive but Carlos wasn’t there. They should have left him in that burning room, at least then Carlos wouldn’t be alone.
“Carlos-” he tried again.
“Just focus on breathing,” Tommy instructed. There was something she wasn’t telling him.
“He’s alone,” TK whimpered, reaching out blindly for where Carlos should be. Carlos should be tucked into his side, that’s where he belonged. “He hates being alone.”
As much as Tommy tried to calm him down and keep him on the gurney, TK writhed and fought against her, he ripped the oxygen mask off and kept pushing her hands away until he was falling and the darkness came racing up to meet him once again. They shook hands like old friends.
This time unconsciousness didn’t come with the comforting presence of Carlos next to him.
The lights and noises came back like a tidal wave slamming into him. He bolted upright before anyone could stop him, not even the dizziness that threatened to send him in any direction that meant down.
“Carlos!” he cried out in a blind desperation.
There were hands on him. So many. Too many. None of them the ones he wanted to feel against his skin, the ones he would recognise anywhere.
Where was Carlos? Why were they keeping him away from TK?
Despite his efforts, he could not fight against the hands forcing him back onto the bed.
There was a mess of beeps and other white noise that blurred in TK’s head, all of it fading out in comparison to the words he needed to hear.
“He’s alive, TK. He’s alive.”
He couldn’t do much more than lie there and let hot tears run from his eyes and onto the thin and uncomfortable hospital pillow underneath his head. Everything hurt and TK couldn’t find the strength in him to do anything other than cry in relief.
Carlos was alive.
That’s all he needed for now.
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mackeydoodledoo · 4 years ago
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Promises
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Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x Cassia Beryl (Fem!Demigod), Agnes/Agatha Harkness x Cassia Beryl (Fem!Demigod) [Non-romantic]
Summary: For as long as you've been existing, you posess powers of a God. The Greek God of the ocean to be specific. Knowing Wanda since Ultron. You vowed to protect Wanda. Keeping her promise to Vision before the mind stone was ripped from him. When you rescue Wanda's kids from a witch named Agatha Harkness, using your godly abilities, she begins seeing something in you that she hasn't seen in a very, very long time.
Warning(s): WandaVision Finale Spoilers
A/N: hi, I recently finished Wandavision and let me tell you I'm bittersweet. Cassia Beryl is my MCU Character!
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As you peek around the corner, you notice two kids being held by some kind of purple magic string. If i can sneak over there I can get those kids out of there. And that’s exactly what you do. You bob and weave through backyard after backyard until you're directly next to the witch. 
"This is Chaos Magic Wanda, and that makes you the Scarlet-" 
You throw your trident that pierces right through the magic, disappearing. Your trident lands into the ground on the other side of the road. 
"She really is special," you smirk, slapping the witch with water and picking up the boys 
"Cass?.." Wanda calls out to you 
"Hey Wans," you smile, turning to her 
"Mom!" One boy said, running to her as you let them down 
Mom? She's.. a mom? You were given a mission, from the Rambeau; Monica, to try and save Wanda from spiraling down into a Villain. You were pretty close with Wanda, considering how the two of you both joined after the Battle of Sokovia. 
"Get inside boys!" She replies, "Go in your rooms!" 
You watch Wanda's boys head into their house, you hold your hand out, your glove glowing. Your trident comes back toward you. You catch it with no recoil on the impact. 
"It can't be...." Agatha says, breathlessly, looking at you 
"Can't be what?" You ask 
"I know those colored eyes anywhere," she replies, "You're-you're Poseidon's kid!" 
"And? Your point is?" You snarl back, "I want NOTHING to do with my father!" 
Angered, you propel water from your feet and use it to kick Agatha into towns Square. With Wanda in tow. You watch Wanda throw one of her Psonic power however, you notice how Agatha absorbs it rather than falling back. 
"Wans?..." you call, noticing her black tipped fingers 
"I absorb your magic," Agatha speaks, "It's kinda my thing." 
You walk over to Wanda and feel her hands and try to rub off the black. Even with your water powers nothing came off. 
"I'll handle this," you say before your neck is wrapped with purple magic and you're dragged back 
As you turned around you feel your hands wrapped, unable to hydro kenesis. 
"Cass!" Wanda calls 
You wanted to let out a snarl but feeling the magic wrapped around your neck getting tighter. 
"You and I have a lot to catch up on darling," Agatha smirks before she's finally knocked back by Wanda 
Trying to gather your bearings, vision fuzzy, you begin falling. Expecting to hit the solid ground below you, you were wrong. But feeling a familiar, soothing feeling. It felt like a water current but you knew it wasn't water, cuz when you opened your eyes Wanda was standing in front of you. 
"Are you hurt?" Wanda asks, her accent coming in 
"I almost got choked to death," you laugh, getting up to stand by her side, "But other than that I'm dandy." 
You look over and Wanda's hands are continuing to turn black. 
"You built this town to feed your need to have Vision back," Agatha states, "You make these people feel your pain." 
You and Wanda look over and you see a lady's eyes turn gold and then back to normal. 
"Dottie?" Wanda asks, as she's walking over to the two of you 
"My name is Sarah actually," she says, "I have a daughter, Eight years old. I can't see her, she's locked in her room, if you could let me see her please." 
As Agatha 'frees' everyone from Wanda's unintentional mind control, they all begin ranting on about how they have families outside of Westview and how they wanna leave. You pull Wanda into your arms tk try and calm her down as she was beginning to break. However, she loses it and begins putting red magic around the people, excluding yourself. 
"No, I'm sorry," she cries, releasing her magic from them 
Without thinking, she begins releasing her magic against the barrier. 
"Everyone out, now!" Wanda commands 
As they begin running, you begin hearing military trucks... 
"Hayward... that lying rat!" You yell 
However, before you could reach them, they reached you. Westview Vision and Wanda's kids join up with you two. However, almost dissipating... Wanda closes the Hex, regaining their form. 
"Boys, take care of the military," Wanda demands, as Vision becomes occupied with white Vision, "Mommy will be right back." 
You follow Wanda as you both head for Agatha, "Wans, Can you reach into her mind and force her to show her greatest fear?" You ask, looking at her, "I'll keep her distracted. Apparently she has history with my father... Time to get a crash course." 
Wanda smiles as she disappears as you land right in front of Agatha, "You have history with my father? Let's talk then." 
You put your trident against your back. No tricks. Or maybe one trick. 
"Your father, he-" 
Before she could even start, Wanda flicks her magic into Agatha's temples. Taking the both of us back to her... trial? 
"No no no no," Agatha shutters, "You tricked me!" 
"Well, you should have remembered I want nothing to do with my father," you said 
But you were also interested. Why was Agatha keen on talking to you about the father you never want contact with? Oh well, save it for later. You look around the dead corpses and realize there was a body of water nearby. Kinda made sense. But also not. However, once Wanda resurrected Agatha's coven members, they push you out of the way and gather around Wanda and begin bringing her o to the stake instead of Agatha who was free. You tried to get up but purple magic held you down. 
"No! Wanda!" You call out 
"You can't win Wanda," Agatha smiles, "You lack knowledge." 
As you looked up you noticed a crown forming along Wanda's head... Your eyes gape in awe, you knew Wanda was capable of so many things. Reaching her full potential as someone with magical abilities is one of them. She launched at Agatha, bringing you guys back to reality. Free from the magic shackle, you launch yourself with Wanda as you two slam Agatha into the ground. However, Wanda's arms completely black. 
"Mom!" The boys call out 
You turn however Wanda pushed you back toward them as she begins lifting herself up into the air. The boys help you up as you three watch. As Wanda continuously throws magic after magic, you realize she's getting weaker; her attacks becoming less forceful. 
"Auntie will be right back," you tell the two boys as you, with sheer willpower, must up all that you have, create a water vortex, lifting yourself towards Wanda. 
"Wanda! Hang in there!" You call out to her 
You realize she's just standing there, however, begin noticing runes all around the Hex. You don't say anything or do anything else but just watch as Wanda's complexion go back to normal. But, she began to re-take her magic. You couldn't make out what they were saying but you knew Wanda was doing.... You just sit in your vortex and watch in awe as you realize Wanda is becoming The Scarlet Witch.You realize she also has a new costume, and you fell in love with Wanda all over again. 
"Wow..." was the only thing that came out of your mouth as you let the vortex go and watch Wanda land as Agatha lies on the ground. 
"So, are you just gonna lock me up somewhere?" She asks, angrily 
"Not somewhere, here." Wanda replies, "you have the role I give you; the nosy neighbor." 
"You can't do this," Agatha, "You don't know what you've unleashed. You're gonna need me," she retorts back 
"Will I?" Wanda replies, "I know where to find you if I need you. You have your role here now." 
"No no please!" Agatha pleas 
Before Wanda could mind control her again, you gently touch Wanda's outstretched hand. Wanda stands down, a little angered. Agatha smiles as you kneelt down to her. But the smile faded when you didn't smile back. 
"Your history with my father...," you start, "I'll come around once I'm ready to talk." 
You stand and turn to Wanda, signifying she can control her again. Thus, she does. 
"Hiya hon," she says cheerfully, "Quite the getup hot stuff." 
Not sure if she's talking to you or Wanda. As your back was turned to her. You watch Wanda as she embraces her boys and Vision. 
"You'll make things right Wanda, just not for us," Vision smiles, "Lets go home." 
They all nod in agreement as Wanda begins releasing The Hex. As they pass by you, Vision stops. 
"You," Vision calls, you end up looking at him, "Would you like to join us?" 
You smile and nod as Wanda slings her arm around you as you follow them to their home. 
"Thank you Cass," Wanda says 
"Always Wans," you smile
As you watch Wanda and Vision tuck Billy and Tommy [you finally learned their names] into bed. 
"Thanks for saving us today," Billy states, looking at uou 
"Cassia Beryl," you smile, "I'm a close friend of your mom's." 
They smile as Wanda and Vision sit at their bedside. You standing at the doorway. 
"Your mother and I," Vision starts, "Are very proud of you. 
"The both of us," Wanda says, her accent slipping in 
You heard her accent clearly. You loved Wanda's accent. You look out the window and sigh, realizing Wanda is gonna be alone again. 
"Cassia is it?" Vision asks 
"Yeah," you reply 
"May I have a word with you? Alone?" He asks, looking at Wanda to stay with the boys for now 
"Yeah, sure," you say, going downstairs 
Once the two of you reach the main floor, you turn to Vision. 
"You, I don't know you at all but you seem to have a close connection with Wanda. Before I'm gone, I must know your connection with her." Vision asks 
You sigh, "I can't put it in words. However, I can show you my history with Wanda." 
A single tear drops down and you catch it with your finger. It then turns into regular water. 
"I hope this works," you whisper as you flick your memory water at Vision 
"You know I could have stopped him myself, disarmed him, killed him," you say, "But I didn't do anything. We all played our pieces, some aren't going to end as pretty as you hoped." 
[...] 
"Can you play me a song Cass?" Wanda requests 
"Always." You smile, grabbing Wanda's guitar as she seats herself right next to you 
[...] 
"Cass, I didn't mean to-" 
"Save it Wanda," you sigh, "Besides, you've looked happier without me." 
[...] 
"Cassia, can you keep a promise for me?" Vision asks, pulling you into a corridor 
"Of course Vision," You reply 
"I need you to look after Wanda for me," Vision blurts, "Should anything happen to me, Wanda is going to need someone. I don't want her being alone. You're the second most person she trusts." 
[...] 
"Vision, I don't know how I'm going to look after her without you," you choke out on a sob 
"It'll be alright Cassia," he says calmly, "You'll be able to figure it out." 
[...] 
"VISION NO!" You scream, scrambling up to your feet and attempt to save Vision again from Thanos. But he bsck-hands you into a tree, knocking you out 
[...] 
As you regain consciousness you see Wanda beginning to become dust. As half-consciouss as you were, you scrambled up to your knees and launched yourself with whatever energy you have left to reach Wanda. 
"Wanda NO!!!" You scream as a last effort 
She dusts right as you try to cup her cheek with your hand, a couple of dust. You open your hand and begin banshee screaming.
You let out a sigh once Vision comes to. 
"The last five years were horrible," you sigh, "Trying to get my mind off of Wanda in said years, didn't help. She'd often be in my dreams. Hoping I could revive you or get her back." 
"So in other words," Vision starts, "I left a promise to you that would look after Wanda after I'd be gone?" 
You nod, blushing a deep red as soon as you look over Vision's shoulder; Wanda standing at the bottom of the stairs. 
"W-Wanda," you stutter, "How long were you standing there?" 
"Long enough." She smiles, but the smile faded as the Hex was getting even closer 
You motion for Vision to Wanda in his final moments. You look on as Waves and Vision embrace. 
"Before I go Wanda, I must know. What am I?" He asks 
"You are Vision," she smiles sadly, "You are my sadness, my hope. But most importantly, you are my love." 
He smiles as he kisses Wanda for the last time as the house begins going back to its original state. You felt tears run down your face as you watch Vision disappear. 
"Goodbye Cassia," Vision says, "take care of Wanda for me. " 
You ugly cry as you try to smile and nod at his request. 
"So long darling," he finally says as he disappeared, the go far to its foundation 
You regain yourself as you begin walking toward Wanda. 
"You okay Wans?" You ask, hectic putting your hand on her shoulder 
She sighs at your touch. 
"Cass, make your own life worth while. I'm not worth it, " Wanda says 
You meet her face, "Wans, your worth a million universes to me. Besides, I like adventure." 
"Cass, you do know that once you go with me, you can't turn back right?" She asks 
"I'm fully aware doll," you say, holding her hand, "Where you go, I go." 
"You-you don't hate me? For leaving you?" She asks 
You take her hand in yours and intertwine your fingers together, "I never did." 
You place a gentle kiss on her forehead before you put on her hoodie as you begin leading her away from the foundation to leave Westview. However, you felt eyes on Wanda... Not the good kind either. However, you meet up with Monica. 
"You don't hate me?" Wanda asks 
"With your situation and your kind of power," Monica starts, "I'd bring back my mom." 
"That makes two of us," you emphasize with Monica, "I'm sorry." 
"I'm sorry too," Wanda says, 
"They'll never know what you've sacrificed for them," Monica states 
"I don't think it'll change how they see me," Wanda adds, "Goodbye Monica." 
You casually salute three fingers up to her and give her a smile. Wanda wraps her soothing red magic around you along with her arm slithering around your waist and you two turn to the edge of Westview. 
"We're going to be okay Wans," You say 
You weren't fully sure. But you were certainly going to give it your all to protect Wanda. For Vision. Real and Westview Vision.
Epilogue You emerge from the waters that was right in front of your shared cabin with Wanda. It was way off grid. That's whats gonna stay that way. You look up and see Wanda holding a towel out to you. You first wipe your face dry and then your hair. 
"I have tea warming up just for you love," Wanda smiles as she brings you inside, her fingers gently running along your bare back, "Your favorite."
Sometime later, you knock on the doorframe to your bedroom and peek around the door. As much as you didn't want to disturb her, you wanted to check on her and you wanted to see her as her true self. She smiles when she sees you. She stops her studies and walks over to you. 
"You doing okay?" You ask 
"Yeah I'm alright Cass," she smiles, kissing your nose, "I'm beginning to think Vis let you come with us is that smiles they're gone, I still have someone to look at." 
"I think he was right," you put your forehead onto Wanda's, "I never want to let you go away from me again."
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spaceskam · 4 years ago
Text
a classic case of infatuation
Summary: TK is a very annoying coworker.
Tags: enemies to lovers LiteTM, office job au, Carlos POV
for @lire-casander​ !!! happy birthday! I’m so late but i finally finished it! I hope you like it!
ao3
“Whoops.”
Carlos breathed in a deep breath, his jaw clenching as he looked up. TK was walking away, not even bothering looking back at him despite the fact that he’d knocked his letter opener off his desk and onto the floor. It was infuriating and he wanted to do something about it, but that wasn’t feasible all things considered.
Carlos had been working in this office building with this management, slowly working his way from receptionist to the accounts receivable role of the building and he had serious job security. He considered himself rather likeable and a good fit. He enjoyed his job, even, managing to balance out his work-life and his free time in a way that worked for him best. It was great.
Or, it had been until three months ago when April, another accountant who handled the accounts payable aspect of things, had quit to stay home with her kids and they’d hired a nuisance in her place.
His name was TK Strand and he was one of the most cocky people Carlos had ever met. Whereas Carlos tried to get along with everyone and went out of his way to be exceptionally nice even when he was having a bad day and had stayed late on more than one occasion to help other people in his department out because he knew they had children to go home to, TK was full of himself and seemingly bored with his job if the way he found any excuse to walk  around all day said anything. Carlos couldn't even complain about him to anyone because everyone else in the office found him endlessly charming and didn’t understand why Carlos was so bothered by him.
But he was and TK seemed to get off on getting a rise out of him.
On more than one occasion, TK had hidden his car keys or mistakenly mixed their mail or spilled a bit of water on his shoes. Every time he passed his desk, TK would knock something off no matter how much Carlos tried to make it where there was nothing to knock off. Hell, he even once managed to replace some of his deposit stacks and had Carlos scrambling when he almost presented his boss with the Communist Manifesto in comic sans instead.
“Maybe if you didn’t feed into it he would stop,” Michelle had suggested once, stirring her coffee with that annoyingly knowing smile, “Or maybe he’s just acting like a little boy vying for your attention.”
“Then someone should’ve taught him that doesn’t actually work. We’re grown ass men and we’re at work, he needs to grow up,” Carlos insisted, eyes narrowed. He had such a distinct memory of TK leaning against the receptionist desk, probably bothering her with his annoying smile. The memory was probably distinct because he did it damn near every day.
Truly, it was a problem. Shouldn’t he be working instead?
“Then try to ignore him, I definitely feel like that will help.”
It did not help.
“TK!” Carlos snapped, getting up from his desk with a sudden desire to tear him a new one. TK paused, his fingers dancing on the top of a divider for two empty cubicles as he turned to face him. He was smirking and his head was tilted to the side like he just knew he was going to have fun with this.
As if he wasn’t driving Carlos insane.
“Yes, Sir?” TK responded, still grinning. 
“Pick it up.”
“Pick what up?” 
“You know what.”
TK huffed a laugh and took a languid step forward, his head still tilted as if just challenging Carlos to say something about it. Which was stupid and infuriating because clearly no matter what he said, TK wasn’t going to act like a coworker. He was just going to be straight up annoying forever.
“Pick it up,” Carlos repeated. TK rolled his eyes.
“Fine, Dad,” he said, strolling past him just close enough so they bumped shoulders. Carlos watched him pick up the letter opener and wave it around, slamming it on his desk once he was done with his show. “Happy?”
Carlos didn’t realize he’d been holding his breath until TK walked away.
“Talk to him,” Michelle suggested again that night as they sat at the bar. Carlos was uncharacteristically pissed and craving a drink, his eyes trained on the neck of his beer as if that would do anything. His stomach was tense with irritation.
“I think I’m going to quit.”
“What? Why would you do that? You love your job,” she said and maybe that was an overstatement, but he definitely worked hard and didn’t hate it. Didn’t hate it until someone was there to distract him and frustrate him to no end.
“Yeah, but I’m going to end up hating it at some point if he doesn’t stop,” Carlos told her. She frowned a little, purposefully exaggerated.
“Then go to your boss if it’s that bad.”
“It… It isn’t that bad. I don’t want to get him fired, he’s just driving me crazy,” Carlos insisted. They fell silent for a moment as Carlos glared at his beer and she stared at his face. He knew that her silence was her reading him and he was quietly dreading whatever she came up with.
“Have you ever considered that maybe the reason you’re so annoyed is because maybe you like him?” Michelle suggested. Carlos scoffed.
“I don’t like him. What’s there to like? He’s annoying and won’t leave me alone and‒”
“And gives you a lot of attention and goes out of his way to make sure you think about him and is undeniably good looking?” Michelle suggested. Carlos glared harder and she let out a laugh. “I’m not saying he’s going about it the right way, I’m just saying maybe you’re just angry that you like him despite the fact that he’s ticking you off.”
“No. No, I’m going to talk to Tommy in the morning about maybe just getting me away from him,” Carlos decided.
Michelle didn’t try to talk him out of it.
He spent the night tossing and turning, thinking about what the hell he was going to do about this situation. He was going to march up to Tommy and explain the situation: TK was a nuisance and he needed to be moved away from him. Or‒no, that sounded like he was in grade school. He was going to explain that maybe he needed to put in his two weeks because of irreconcilable issues. He didn’t want to do that though and he didn’t want to threaten it either. He just wished there was an easier way to go about it.
The next day, after psyching himself up, he did approximately no tattling.
When TK walked by his desk again, Carlos didn’t react at all. Even when he circled back around to knock more shit off at least three times, Carlos didn’t respond and didn’t move to pick anything up. He just pretended it wasn’t there.
“Aw, are you mad at me?” TK said, a teasing tone in his voice as he sat across from him in the breakroom during lunch. Carlos continued to keep his eyes down and his breath even. He was just going to ignore him until he got a hint. “Oh, come on, Carlos. Play nice.”
Carlos rightfully ignored him.
He felt like he’d earned a medal of some sort by the time the day was over and he hadn’t reacted to TK at all. After lunch, TK had backed off for the most part and he’d finally had a soothing few hours at work before his shift finally ended.
And then he was locked in an elevator for six whole floors alone with TK.
“Look, dude, I don’t know what I did to upset you, but I’m sorry,” TK said around the third floor. Carlos, after his day of strength, huffed a laugh.
“You don’t know what you did?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. TK blinked, his lips parting for a moment like he was genuinely confused and Carlos really understood what Michelle meant by him being undeniably good looking.
“Wait, what? What did I do?” TK asked, stepping closer again. Carlos scoffed.
The elevator doors were about to open, but he’d clearly lost his mind because Carlos reached out and pushed the button to make it stop in the middle of its journey before 
“You won’t leave me alone. You bother me constantly, I never get a moment to not be annoyed by you. You literally make me dread going to work. I’ve never had a coworker I’ve considered quitting over until I met you,” Carlos vented. TK’s eyebrows furrowed and he looked actually a bit upset.
“Wait, don’t quit. I was just messing with you. I thought we were having fun,” TK said. Carlos’ eyes widened.
“Fun? You think being poked and prodded and relentlessly annoyed by some guy you don’t even know is fun?” Carlos asked. TK blinked once, twice, before taking a step back and putting a considerable amount of distance between them.
“I’m sorry. I thought… Well, I guess I don’t know what I thought. Maybe that we were friends. That you’re cute and make that stupid serious face when you’re working where your eyebrows get all furrowed and I start thinking that you’re going to give yourself a headache. I don’t know. Sorry that I bothered you, I’ll stop,” TK said. Carlos blinked, staring at him incredulously.
“Are you five?” Carlos asked through a breath, almost annoyed that Michelle was right, “Annoying someone isn’t how you flirt with them.”
TK licked his lips and looked around, eyes stopping on the button to put the elevator back in motion. Then he looked back to Carlos.
“Would it be totally out of line for me to ask you to let me try again?” TK asked, that annoying little smile returning despite everything. Carlos let out an exasperated breath.
“For real?”
“I mean,” TK said, laughing softly, “Yeah. I’ll fuck off if you say no, but, like, if you’d be okay with it, can I woo you in a different way?”
“I don’t exactly have faith that you can woo anyone if your go to tactic was being an annoyance,” Carlos said. TK grinned.
“Don’t knock it ‘till you try it?”
Carlos stared at him and TK stared back for what was probably an uncomfortable amount of time. He kept hearing Michelle’s voice in his head that maybe it was pissing him off so much because he was interested. Wouldn’t hurt to try seemed to be her method.
Carlos breathed out and started the elevator again, staring forward and immediately stepping out when the doors opened.
“Good luck. I’m not easy to win over,” he said simply. TK laughed behind him.
“Come on, Carlos! Have faith!”
Carlos made his way to his car and took a deep breath, sitting in the silence.
For the first time in weeks, he found himself not dreading work the next day.
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