#OH MY GOD I NEVER NOTICED THAT TK WAS THE ONE TO REACH OUT FIRST 😱😱😱

[oh-surprise-its-me]

Ron/Chris the proposal!! How did it go down!! Was Jake involved?

Omg I’m so excited someone asked-

So time wise no Jake wasn’t involved in Chris’s proposal to Ron. (He was involved in Ron’s to Chris though)

It was a two weeks after top gun.

Ron hasn’t let Chris out of his sight. They’ve been doing everything together. They’re sitting outside one night when Chris just looks at Ron and feels an overwhelming need to get more from this man.

“Ron. This isn’t even close to how I wanted to do this but I love you.” Ron is crying already. He’s teared up almost every time Chris has said it these past weeks. “I love you too, what’s happening are you okay?”

“Would you consider marrying me? I know we might never be able to truly get married. And that’s awful but I want you to wear a ring.”

Ron gasps. Oh god he never expected this. “Of course I’ll marry you. There’s no one else I’d ever consider marrying. You’re it for me baby.”

Chris is crying now. “I don’t have a ring we’ll have tk get one together.” Ron laughs “I love that you didn’t plan this.”- “I couldn’t stand the idea of losing you without being married to you.”

God their siblings are going to be so excited.

~

Okay so. Jake came into their lives in April 1988. It threw off some plans because of how unexpected it was but they would never change it.

During the week of his one year old birthday Jake is walking and it’s scaring the hell out of his dads. Ron has had this plan ever since he came back to them.

Tom and Mav are there, Sarah too. It’s such a happy time for them and Ron’s putting his plan into place. It’s four days out from Jake’s first birthday. He sticks the box into Jake’s little overalls, he says “go get daddy.” Jake smiles at him and babbles. He takes off towards Chris.

Sarah watches all of this. She pulls out that camera she never leaves anywhere. They’ll thank her later.

Mav tilts his head when he sees Jake come wobbling over to Chris, something is up, Ron is lingering behind Chris.

Tom looks down to Jake who’s caught himself on Chris’s leg. Chris reaches down and picks him up. He notices the box. Tom starts smiling, he glances over Chris’s shoulder at Ron.

“Whatcha got here baby? Looks like a box!”

Jake babbles at him. “Open the box Chris. Chris spins and looks at Ron. He glances at Tom, he hands Jake over and opens the box.

“Oh my god Ron you didn’t.”

Ron drops onto his knee. “I know we’re already engaged but I wanted to do it with Jake. So, will you marry me? Whenever we are allowed? I can’t imagine my life without you.”

They’re both crying. Chris drops to his knees nodding. “Oh my god yes. I love you.”

There’s cheers from their four witnesses. Jake is clapping almost like he knows what’s happening.

Ron and Chris take Jake back from Tom. They bring him up and kiss his cheeks. It causes him to start laughing.

“Can’t wait to live this life with you” - “can’t believe I got this lucky to meet you.” - “thank god for car crashes huh.” - “oh shut up.”

[strandnreyes]

more from the coastal au. it’s becoming a monster of a fic... but what’s new?

Carlos likes having TK looking comfortable in his space. He likes the way he drums his fingers on the countertop, how he offers to flip the chicken for Carlos while he gets out the dishes, how their elbows brush as TK comes back inside. 

“Is there anything else you need me to do?”

Carlos shakes his head, pulling the lettuce and the rest of the salad fixings out of the fridge. “Don't worry. I got it.”

TK pins him with a look. “Carlos, you’re helping me fix my house for free and now you’re making me dinner. The least I can do is help.”

“I’m fixing your house for free?”

“Oh,” TK stammers. “I can pay you. Of course I’ll pay you. That’s not a problem, I—”

Carlos takes pity on him. “Relax, TK. I was just joking.”

TK rolls his eyes. “What happened to the sweet guy you were when we met,” he mutters.

Carlos laughs to cover the swoop in his chest from hearing TK’s first impression of him. 

“Let me at least get the salad ready while you go make sure the chicken is done,” TK continues. “I didn’t exactly grill much in my apartment in New York.”

With a nod and one last look at TK who’s starting to chop the tomatoes, Carlos grabs a fresh plate and goes to check on the meat. He decides to give it one more minute, popping his head back into the sliding door in the meantime. “Do you want to eat out here?”

TK looks out onto the back deck with the setting sun, an environment that’s a little too romantic for a casual dinner between neighbors, but then he glances at Carlos’ papers on the dining table. “Yeah. Seems like you have a whole system over there that I don’t want to mess with.” 

“That’s not exactly my system. I’m normally more organized with notes, but writing has been all over the place for me lately.”

“That’s your definition of a mess?” TK raises a brow. “There are like… three very neat piles sitting there.”

“Four,” he corrects. “And my abandoned coffee mug from this morning.”

TK laughs, shaking his head, and Carlos ducks back outside. 

He plates the chicken before rejoining TK in the kitchen, pulling the potatoes out of the oven as TK finishes up the salad. They stand side by side as they dish up their respective servings, making small talk about how writing is going for Carlos before shifting into TK’s work at the diner and how business is still steady despite the colder days and dwindling residents. The scene is way too domestic and it’s only after Carlos busies himself with pulling out a bottle of wine that he realizes the drink will only add to that feeling. 

Except it never gets uncorked, getting put away the second after TK refuses and Carlos fumbles through an apology.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed.”

“Don’t worry about it,” TK shakes his head. “Water is good enough for me, but if you want to drink I don’t mind,” he says as he carries his plate outside. 

Carlos joins him a minute later, balancing his own plate and two glasses of water. TK doesn’t say anything about it, but the small smile he tries to hide as he notices feels like a point in Carlos’ favor. 

He subtly watches TK take a bite before he digs into his own plate, trying to gauge his reaction. Carlos has years of cooking experience and he finds joy in replicating his family’s recipes as well as creating his own, too. He knows he’s a good cook, but it’s different when he’s trying to impress someone. 

TK coughing a couple of seconds after he started chewing was not the reaction Carlos was hoping for. 

Carlos sets his fork down immediately, staring wide-eyed as TK reaches for his water and hoping to god TK doesn’t have an allergy that he didn’t know about. “Are you okay?” 

He only gets a nod in response, TK not able to produce words around his coughs just yet. But just as Carlos’ worry kicks up a notch, TK chokes out, “I’m okay,” sounding anything but. After a gulp of water he gets out, “I’m just not used to spicy.”

Carlos relaxes a fraction, and then looks at the chicken. “This is spicy?”

With watery eyes and a laugh around another sip of water, TK shakes his head. “Shut up.”

“I was being serious,” Carlos chuckles. “There were a few spices in the marinade, but I didn’t think this was that bad.” 

“Not everyone was raised on this,” TK points out. 

“Sorry,” Carlos winces. “I could’ve done something milder.”

“No, it’s really good. You’re a good cook. I just wasn't expecting that.” 

Carlos finally takes a bite of his own, chewing slowly to see if he accidentally added a little more spice than he meant to, but years of eating foods way hotter than this makes the chicken seem almost too bland. 

His reaction must be written all over his face because TK fights back a smile, shaking his head. “Yes, I’m a lightweight. You can say it.”

“I wasn’t going to say it,” Carlos laughs and TK gives him an unimpressed look. He definitely thought it, but he wasn’t going to say it.

The next bite TK takes is smaller and he pierces a chunk of potato on his fork at the same time, and that seems to do the trick because there’s no repeat incident. Unless he just has a really good poker face.

[maybe-theres-hope]

As Always

I kept seeing this post over and over and my hand slipped

1.2k | ao3

Carlos knows the sound of his keys hitting the tray next to the door doesn’t actually echo louder than before, but it feels like it all the same. It has ever since before became after. It’s this dumb thing his brain does as soon as he enters the house, like cutting off one sense to magnify others: someone cutting themselves out of your life magnifies all the empty spaces they left. So, the house echoes like a gunshot every time the metal keyring hits the glass bowl and Carlos flinches every single time.

He can't really admit to himself, even after five months, that it’s probably because TK’s the one that picked out the damn bowl in the first place. Carlos wonders why he didn’t take it.

Then he stops himself from wondering because that way lies madness.

He shrugs off his jacket and goes to hang it in the hall closet, bracing himself as always. His knuckles brush against the soft fabric of a faded gray hoodie that was somehow missed in the meticulous journey TK had taken around the house in silence the day he left, duffle in hand. He hangs his own jacket up next to it, as always, and shuts the door. He feels his throat tighten a bit, but ignores it. It’ll go away eventually.

As always.

He makes his way to the kitchen to grab a beer--which is a new development, and one he still had a small mental war with himself over before he purchased the six pack at the 7-11 on the corner, wondering if it wasn’t a good idea before remembering, oh, there’s no one in his house he needs to look out for besides himself. He braces himself again and opens the refrigerator.

He reaches past the ketchup and leftover Thai food to the back right of the fridge, pausing to look at the shelf on the upper left for only a second before hastily snatching up a bottle of Shiner and shutting the door. They’re perfectly good mineral waters, and he’s sure he’ll probably drink them at some point, so why throw them away? Never mind that he’s never drank mineral water willingly in his life. The stuff tastes like La Croix if it was less flavored. But he keeps them just in case.

As always.

He plops himself on the couch, beer in hand, and reaches for the TV remote. He pointedly does not look at the corner of the rug under his feet, and tells himself it's because he’s mad it’s ruined. He knows that’s not true, but he’s lied to himself at least three times since he’s gotten home, what’s one more? He reminds himself that he’s mad the rug’s ruined, not sad because it’s the forever reminder of their first night in this house, when TK kiss-tackled him to his back on this very rug, causing Carlos to lose his grip on his slice of pizza and leaving a sauce stain on the otherwise pristine gray pile.

He flips through channels for a few minutes, passing up shows he used to like because he’s not really interested anymore. He’s not interested in that one procedural medical drama TK used to yell at the TV for (”It’s so unrealistic!”, “You can’t do that!”, “That’s literally against the law, oh my god”, “No one would ever intubate in that situation, what?!”), he’s not interested in the 70s sci-fi show they used to watch because they could laugh at the horrible special effects, and he’s definitely not interested in anything on HGTV, which they’d been practically glued to in the month or so before they bought this house just to get interior design ideas.

No, as always, he’s not interested in anything on TV.

He picks up his phone, scrolls through social media. This is relatively safe these days, as he’d unfollowed TK on practically everything, so he lets his guard down a little. It proves detrimental, however, when he scrolls past a post from Nancy on Insta that shows her, Marjan, TK, and Paul out at a restaurant, all raising up barbecue ribs at the camera. Carlos is genuinely surprised he notices anything else about the photo--including the other three people in it--since he’s absolutely glued to a pair of clear green eyes.

They look flat and lifeless, even in the low light and happiness of the photo, and it’s all Carlos can do to fumble for the button on the side of his phone to make the screen go black. He sighs to himself, and resigns to another night of going to bed too early for someone so young.

As always.

He goes through the motions of brushing his teeth (he guesses TK bought a new toothbrush because this one hasn’t moved from it’s spot in the cup on the counter), washing his face (he likes the smell of this stuff, okay? It doesn’t matter that it’s the one skincare thing Owen used that TK actually liked, so he bought himself one and apparently left it here. It’s almost empty anyway, and it’s expensive, so Carlos might as well use it up), and combing through his curls for tangles (he knows he has no excuse for not throwing out the dry shampoo as, much like the mineral water in the fridge, Carlos himself has never used the product in his life. He is also guilty of sometimes spraying just a small bit onto his pillow, just to bask in the smell of it and pretend. These things he does not admit to himself in the light of day).

He climbs into his large, empty bed and pulls up the covers, letting them settle over him lightly--no pull from a blanket hog on the other side of the bed. He rubs at his eyes because they ache from the day--not because he can feel the tell-tale tingle of emotion threatening to spill over behind them. He turns to his side and closes his eyes, willing sleep to come, and knowing it won’t for hours.

As always.

When he wakes it is to a bone-deep cold that has absolutely nothing to do with the weather outside.

As always.

He rises, dresses, and eats his breakfast while ignoring all the little things that threaten to pull him back into his mad thoughts. He cannot afford to be distracted on a day like today, he thinks, as he looks out the window at the snow beginning to fall.

He goes to work, keeps his head, and does his job well. He’s a machine these days sometimes, and he intermittently has to remind himself to pull his compassion back to the surface. But he does, and the day goes well, even considering the disaster at the church. He knows most of the people are alright, but he’d rather a professional take a look around at them, so he calls it in. He lets his guard down again.

Then all of a sudden he’s face to face with those beautiful green eyes, and he all but loses his tongue.

As always, since the first time he saw them.

[yourdeepestfathoms]

helpme.mov

Click.

Tktk… tktk…

…

Transmissions pending.

Tktk… tk.

Would you like to play back all pending recordings?

…

Tk.

Authorization Required.

Tktktk, tktk, tk.

…

Authorisation Accepted.

Beginning Playback.

Click.

…

“Is it… oh, it’s— it’s recording! Okay, good. I didn’t know if that flashing button meant… nevermind. I need to cut all this out, don’t I? Probably. Alright, hi, whoever will be listening to this! My name is Vanessa and I’ve even chosen to be the beta tester for— oh god what’s the game called again—”

Click.

“Hello! My name is Vanessa and I’ve been chosen to be the beta tester for Freddy Fazbear Virtual Experience! I’ve been tasked with playing through the whole game and marking down anything I notice, hence the recording because I’m not gonna remember anything I see. I’m sure it’ll be fun! I apologize in advance to whoever at Fazbear Entertainment has to hear these.”

Click.

Recording End.

…

Loading Next Recording.

Click.

…

The recording begins. Black goes to color as a screen flashes on. A closed stage is set up directly in front of Vanessa, along with a table and a monitor. The camera moves back and forth as she takes in her surroundings. At the same time, an announcement drones on.

“Welcome to the Freddy Fazbear Virtual Experience. Use the console in front of you to navigate the menu, and pick one of the frightening experiences available. By completing the scenarios, more will become available. You'll see plenty of familiar faces, and some new ones as well, so stay a while and have a good time. And remember, despite the temporary horror you may experience, this is a completely controlled environment and you aren't in any real danger. (Fazbear Entertainment not responsible for real danger.) Please make a selection from the virtual menu.”

“Interesting, interesting… God, what am I, a detective? Do detectives even say interesting? I don’t know. I’m sorry, I’m not very good at giving commentary.”

Click.

“…you know, I never wanted to be a DJ. And this isn’t really enticing me to start, but... I can sorta see the appeal now, you know? But I’d be a horrible talk radio guy, like just giving opinions? I wouldn’t know what to say, really. I wouldn’t want to do it anyway, it’d be like a slow, horrible death by anxiety or something, talking to all those listeners. And they have to get up at like 3AM, right? Those guys, those— those talk radio guys. To start at, like, five? I’d be— I’d be, like, the late-night, like the— the late-night old tunes station. That’d be cool. Like— like— DJ Nessie in the HOUSE! Oh, I should probably start playing.”

Click.

Recording End.

…

Loading Next Recording.

Click.

…

The recording begins. A dim, cramped office space with two open doors on either side is shown. A phone directly beside the security camera monitor starts to ring. Vanessa picks it up with one of her VR hands and holds it up like she’s holding it to her ear.

“Hello?”

“Hello? Hello, hello?”

“Oh, Jesus—”

“Uhh, I wanted to record a message for you to help you get settled in on your first night. Um, I actually worked in that office before you. I’m finishing up my last week now, as a matter of fact, so I know it can be a bit overwhelming, but I’m here to tell you: there’s nothing to worry about. Uh, you’ll do fine! So…let’s just focus on getting you through your first week. Okay?”

As the man on the phone continues to talk, Vanessa begins to flip through the cameras with her free hand. Bonnie the Bunny appears to be missing from the stage.

“Oh. That’s not good. I thought I was gonna be able to dip my toes in, but I guess not. Okay. That’s fine. I can do this. Easy peasy.”

She continues to cycle through the cameras, making more and more concerned noises as Bonnie moves around the facility.

“I can’t— I think I hear footsteps and— I CAN’T REACH THE DOOR BUTTON!”

She leans over far to hit the door light.

“How do I— how do I redo my VR circle thingy? I have, like, no wiggle room and—”

She looks over at the camera. Bonnie has moved again.

“HANG ON! Hang on, dude! I’m trying to fix something! Can you take a lunch break PLEASE?”

“Uh, let’s see. First, there’s an introductory greeting from the company that I’m supposed to read. Eh, it’s kind of a legal thing, you know. Um, 'Welcome to Freddy Fazbear's Pizza: a magical place for kids and grown-ups alike, where fantasy and fun come to life. Fazbear Entertainment is not responsible for damage to property or person. Upon discovery of damage or if death has occurred, a missing person’s report will be filed within ninety days or as soon as property and premises have been thoroughly cleaned and bleached and the carpets have been replaced.' Blah, blah, blah…”

Over the sound of the Phone Guy speaking, footsteps can be heard.

“Wait, why— what—”

The camera pans to the left. The door’s light flickers on to reveal Bonnie walking down the hall.

“OH MY GOD! THAT’S— CLOSE THE DOOR!”

Vanessa’s hand smacks the button. The door slams shut.

“Why are they so BIG?! I—”

“Uh, the animatronic characters here do get a bit quirky at night…”

“GOTTA GO!”

Vanessa slams the phone down on the receiver. Phone Guy keeps talking.

“Oh my god… I didn’t realize they were GIANTS! Like, he— he TOWERED OVER ME! I’m only, like…okay, I’m not that short. I’m like 5’3, VR takes off a few inches. BUT STILL! He’s, like, SEVEN FEET TALL!”

“Uhh…something about their servos locking up if they get turned off for too long. Uhh…they used to be allowed to walk around during the day, too, but then there was the Bite of '87…”

“YOU’RE STILL TALKING?!”

“I-It’s amazing that the human body can live without the frontal lobe, you know?”

“Okay… This is fine. Everything is fine. Are you still there?”

She opens the door. Bonnie is, in fact, still there.

“OH MY GOD—”

Click.

“I was so focused on the goddamn bunny boy over there that I forgot about the others! Who’s missing from the stage now? Chica? Where is she? Kentucky Fried lookin’—”

The right door light buzzes on. Chica is standing at the window, looking in. Vanessa proceeds to let out the most ear-piercing screech humanly possible.

Click.

“So, I died.”

Click.

Recording End.

…

Loading Next Recording.

Click.

…

The recording begins. Vanessa is back in the first office. She notices a tape on the desk and grabs it, causing it to disappear with a strange noise.

“Oh— okay, I see how it is. It’s probably just a collectible or something. Nnnot important right now.”

Click.

“Okay, so Chica is there and Bonnie is—”

There’s a loud thumping sound.

“I JUST KICKED MY FUCKING WALL!”

Click.

The screen displays a time change of 5AM to 6AM. Vanessa can be heard cheering loudly.

“HAHAHA! I did it! While you guys were busy finger-popping each other’s assholes, I was GETTIN’ SHIT DONE! Oh, what’s this?”

The screen has changed to a dim room. A purple banner that reads: “GAME WON! CLAIM YOUR PRIZE” is strung up across the ceiling. A white box with a red ribbon is sitting on a small table directly in front of Vanessa. There is a crank sticking out of the side. Vanessa gasps.

“For me? Don’t mind if I do!”

She winds the crank. A figure of Toy Bonnie comes out.

“Oh! A little man!”

She grabs it.

“Hello, little man! How are you? Let me give you a kiss.”

She brings the figure to the very front of the camera. There’s a choking sound, followed by heavy breathing. The figure is gone.

“WH— HUH— DID I JUST EAT HIM?!”

Click.

Recording End.

…

Loading Next Recording.

Click.

…

The recording begins. Vanessa is back in the game selection room. A strange, garbled noise can be heard. It’s almost demonic.

“What… what is that?”

Vanessa looks around. To the right, a figure is peering out of a dark doorway. Details are hard to make out, as it is mostly translucent, almost like a ghost, but it has a mostly green color palette and glowing purple eyes. It appears to be a rabbit of sorts.

“Oh, Jesus! Hello there! You scared me!”

She laughs.

“You are a creature! God, you’re creepy.”

She points to it.

“That’s good. Game devs listening to this, that’s good! I like that one!”

She leans in to try and get a close look.

“You are so ugly. You just gonna chill there or? Yeah? Okay, that’s cool. I’m gonna call you Greenie, okay? Because… because you’re green. I don’t know anything that’s green…well, peas, I guess. I don’t think you want to be called Pea, though. I wouldn’t wanna be Pea. So you’ll be Greenie.”

Click.

Recording End.

…

Loading Next Recording.

Click.

…

The recording begins. A much larger office than before is displayed. The camera moves back and forth as Vanessa takes in the setting.

“This is the funkiest funkytown I’ve ever seen! Much less claustrophobic in here. I like it. It’s spacious, it’s simplistic… Oh, I have a phone call.”

“Uh, hello? Hello, hello?”

“YOU?!”

Click.

Vanessa is flipping through the cameras. Toy Bonnie is gone from the stage. Phone Guy blabbers on in the background. She doesn’t seem to be paying attention.

“Ooh, one of the funkies— okay, so he’s there… That’s cool. That’s okay. You just…stay there please. You know, I actually ate a smaller version of you. Your son? I don’t know. It was an accident, but you know, still happened. Oh, and you’re gone. Okay. Goodbye.”

Click.

“You can’t tell me I’m anywhere BUT funkytown. Look at the walls!”

At that moment, Vanessa flashes her light down the main hallway. Toy Bonnie can be seen approaching. Vanessa yelps.

“Oh my god, you— why are you allowed to WALK?! Who gave these robot motor skills? For WHAT REASON?”

She continues to babble as Toy Bonnie gets closer. She fumbles for the Freddy mask, scrambling to put it on her face.

“WAIT, is he— oh god I don’t know if he’s gone. I don’t want to check. What if he’s still there? I don’t wanna die! Okay, okay, I’ll just stay like this. I’ll be fine.”

A few moments pass. Vanessa covers her eyes. The sound of the music box begins to play.

“OH MY GOD THE MUSIC BOX—”

Vanessa doesn’t get to it fast enough- the music stops. Everything is silent. Vanessa peeks out from behind her hands.

“Hello?”

She is jumpscared by the Puppet. Vanessa can be heard screaming.

Click.

Recording End.

…

Loading Next Recording.

Click.

…

The recording begins. Vanessa is back in the office from FNaF 2.

“Alright, night two and night three went smoothly. Okay, well not that smoothly. I had to sleep off the actual night after the third one. But still! Night four! Let’s do this!”

She starts to flip through the cameras. Most of the animatronics are already scattered throughout the establishment. An idle flash of the flashlight reveals Toy Freddy in the hallway.

“Hello, big guy. How are you? Wonderful night we’re having, huh? Okay, you just stay there…”

Vanessa checks through the cameras again. Toy Chica is seen standing in the Main Hall, next to the restrooms.

“So Toy Chica is at the bathrooms… You know, I don’t like bathrooms. Public bathrooms, I mean. I have the worst anxiety about using them. Just can’t do it with other people around. It sounds weird, but I think it’s a perfectly valid fear. Like— like— okay, let me tell you a story. We have time. So I was in high school, right? And I never went to the bathroom at school. I refused. But this one time specifically I had to go to blow my nose because that was another thing that gave me painful anxiety. I would rather not breathe than blow my nose around other people, but in that case, I literally could not breathe because I had what had to be the WORST cold in the history of colds. So I raised my hand and asked to go and then doddled my little high school self to the bathroom. OH FUCK I FORGOT TO WIND THE MUSIC BOX—”

Click.

“It’s like a whole party in here! Everyone is coming out to say hi. I don’t know if I like— OH FREDDY IS COMING, WHERE IS MY MASK—”

Click.

“So I go to the bathroom to blow my nose, right? By the time I had flushed the toilet paper down the toilet, I realized I now had to pee, but someone else had entered by then. I was just gonna leave and let my bladder suffer like I usually do, but apparently my body just knew I was in a restroom and threatened to murder my kidneys if I didn’t pee like a normal person. It’s like when your mouth will water when you simply breathe in the direction of a singular Sour Patch Kid- it knew. However, I had already flushed the toilet. What if the other girl in there with me thought I was playing some weird bathroom hijinks? What if she found out who I was and told the whole school about me being some kind of restroom creep? Held against my will by the impending doom of having a potentially excruciatingly painful UTI, I came up with a foolproof plan: I walked out of the stall like normal, washed my hands, then went to the door. As I opened the door, I said, ‘Oh, excuse me,’ as if I had bumped into someone else, closed it, then walked to the furthest possible stall, making sure to change my footfalls as I went, just to make sure the other girl wouldn’t recognize me by my shoes. So yeah, I don’t like public bathrooms very much.”

Click.

Recording End.

…

Loading Next Recording.

Click.

…

The recording begins. Vanessa is in the FNaF 3 office, already poking through the cameras.

“Night one was easy, so I’m hoping everything else will be similar. But knowing my luck, it most likely won’t. Alright, let’s see here… Oh, there is—”

She leans in close to the camera screen.

“There is something there. Were you there before? Who are you?”

On one of the camera screens, the dark figure of Springtrap can be seen down the hallway. His stare is so penetrating that it almost seems to pierce through the veil of the game and come into reality itself. Vanessa doesn’t seem to notice this, however.

With impeccable timing, Phone Dude’s lines swim up through Vanessa’s own chatter, becoming heard.

“But I have an even better surprise for you, and you’re not gonna believe this…we found one. A REAL one. Uh-oh— uh, gotta go, man— uh, well— well look, i— it’s in there somewhere, I’m— I’m sure you’ll see it. Okay, I’ll leave you with some of this great audio that I found! Talk to you later, man!”

“Ah, finally, a worthy opponent. Do you have a name, buddy?”

As she talks, the phone clicks. A familiar voice begins to speak.

“Oh, Hello! Hello, hello! Uh, welcome to your new career as a performer/entertainer, for Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza—”

“NOT YOU AGAIN—”

Click.

“Where did… where did the… WHERE DID HE GO?! Oh, there he is.”

After frantically clicking through the cameras, Vanessa finds Springtrap in one of the halls. She points to him, then breathes out a sigh of relief.

“Okay, crisis averted. I don’t even know why I freaked out.”

There is then a giggle. The camera whips around as Vanessa moves her head sharply. Phantom Balloon Boy jumpscares her, causing her to yelp loudly. She calms down quickly.

“Such a lust for destruction…”

Click.

Recording End.

…

Loading Next Recording.

Click.

…

The recording begins. Vanessa is still in the FNaF 3 office. She seems to be on night three. In the background, Phone Guy spouts word after word endlessly.

“Uh, hello hello! Uhm, for today's lesson we will be continuing our training on proper suit handling technique. When using an animatronic as a suit, please ensure that the animatronic parts are tightly compressed and fastened by the spring lock located around the inside of the suit. It may take a few moments, position your head and torso between these parts, in a manner where you can move and speak. Try not to nudge or press against ANY of the spring locks inside the suit. Do not touch the spring lock at any time. Do not breathe on a spring lock, as moisture may loosen them, and cause them to break loose. Incase that the spring lock comes loose while wearing the suit, please try to maneuver away from populated areas before bleeding out, so as to not ruin the customer experience…”

“I think I heard about that before. I mean, I heard about a lot of this, I’m pretty sure, but this in particular… I know the starter cutscene thing said some game developer was making up lies about the company, but… Hang on.”

The game is paused. Vanessa seems to be adjusting her VR headset as she speaks. She sounds quite sure of herself.

“I don’t know the whole story of the ‘Fazbear Legacy’ or whatever it’s called, but I know some of it, and I don’t know how much of it is true, but… I was born in 2007. I— I grew up with horror stories about this place. The old restaurants, I mean. It was up there with Bloody Mary—it was a big thing. And I was sixteen when this specific location opened up, Fazbear Frights. It was a whole thing. I remember some people saying it was insensitive because it was exploiting alleged tragedies that happened in the restaurants. I don’t know if that’s true, but that’s what was said. But I— I— I know this is all over the place, and I’ll probably cut it out if I can, but I just wanted to say how I know about this specifically. Fazbear Frights. It was in my lifetime, and I dunno, it’s kinda cool to think about. And there was that other restaurant too, right? I can’t remember its name, but I know there was another one. They both burned down, didn’t they? Pretty weird. Anyway, I— I’ll keep playing now. Sorry about that.”

Click.

Recording End.

…

Loading Next Recording.

Click.

…

The recording begins. Vanessa is back in the FNaF 3 office. By Phone Guy’s voice lines in the background, she’s on night four.

“…Until replacements arrive, you’ll be expected to wear the temporary costumes provided to you. Keep in mind, they were found on very short notice, so questions about appropriateness/relevance should be deflected. I repeat, the classic suits are not to be touched, activated, or worn. That being said, we are free of liability, do as you wish. As always, remember to smile. You are the face of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza.”

“Yes, we do not provide health insurance for violent death and injury that we caused because we forced you to do something dangerous… Freddy Fazbear implements advanced capitalism.”

Click.

It’s silent for a moment as Vanessa goes through the security cameras, completely focused. Springtrap doesn’t appear to be anywhere in sight.

“Where is… where is he? I don’t see him?”

She turns over to the vent cameras, and it is then that Springtrap can be seen crawling through the vent, slowly getting closer and closer. Vanessa screams.

“OH MY GOD! Wait! No! Stop! How do I— WHAT DO I DO?! WHAT DO I—”

She grabs the drink cup sitting on the table and throws it at Springtrap. It does nothing to help.

“WAIT, WAIT, PLEASE! PLEASE DON’T DO THIS, I—”

Springtrap jumpscares Vanessa. Vanessa screams.

Click.

Vanessa is back in the game selection room, breathing heavily as she comes down from her panic.

“So, I know we were talking about things that were on the table of not being okay, um, and that…uh, has a seat at every table that categorizes that.”

There is a distorted noise. Vanessa looks over at the rabbit to the right. His figure has grown slightly clearer as she has been collecting more and more tapes. He's closer, too.

“Hi, Greenie.”

Click.

Recording End.

…

Loading Next Recording.

Click.

…

The recording begins. The tape doesn’t seem to be of the game, but rather in real life. The room the camera is facing is very dark, but a few details can be made out, like the outline of a bedframe, the scant glow of moonlight through a window, and the curve of a doorknob. This appears to be someone’s bedroom, and they are unknowingly being recorded while they sleep. The recording goes on for about an hour before abruptly cutting off.

Click.

Recording End.

…

Loading Next Recording.

Click.

…

The recording begins. Vanessa is in the game selection room, waving to the figure of the rabbit.

“Alright, so I finished all the Night Terrors. They were pretty easy. Also I found this neat little room to play the tapes I’ve been collecting. I didn’t realize this game was gonna have a whole story to it, so they were cool to listen to, even if I did doze off halfway through because I got bored. I’m sure they aren’t important and I can always go back and listen to them again if I want. Anyway, today I’m gonna be doing Parts and Service. Seems fun. Let’s get started.”

Vanessa starts up the minigame. After a moment, the figure of Bonnie loads in, looming over Vanessa. He is massive. The camera lurches as Vanessa jumps.

“Oh geez— BACK UP! Back up! Personal space, dude!”

Vanessa looks Bonnie up and down, taking in his appearance.

“Ho-ly shit, you are huge. I knew you guys were gonna be big, but… look at your feet! They’re probably bigger than my HEAD!”

Overhead, a voice begins to relay instructions. Vanessa quiets down to listen.

“Welcome back to Parts and Service. Oh no, it looks like Bonnie's guitar is out of tune and must be recalibrated. First we must access his harmonization module located inside his secondary throat pipe. To access the throat pipe, both eyes must first be removed. You must be as precise as possible when removing the eyes from their respective sockets. First, firmly grab Bonnie’s left eye and carefully remove it from its socket.”

“His left or my left?”

Silence.

“HIS LEFT OR MY LEFT?!”

Silence.

“So I guess I’m winging it. I apologize in advance for my lack of corporeal understanding.”

Slowly, muttering to herself nervously as she does so, Vanessa reaches out and grabs one of Bonnie’s eyes. As she’s trying to remove it, she gets jumpscared.

Click.

“His left then, got it. Clarification would have been nice, but when is anything in life easy, am I right? God…”

Click.

Recording End.

…

Loading Next Recording.

Click.

…

The recording begins. Vanessa is in Parts and Service with Bonnie again.

“Alright, here we go. Anti-moron mode.”

Click.

Vanessa is very carefully going through the repair process for Bonnie. Her hand can be seen visibly shaking. Overhead, the voice of the HandUnit speaks.

“Great job. Bonnie is in tune and ready for his solo. Let's close him up. Simply replace both eyes in the same order that you remove them, then close up the face plate and we'll call it a day.”

“Oh, god… Okay, fine. I’m a brave girl, I’m a brave girl…”

Vanessa does as she’s supposed to. Nothing bad happens. She perks up.

“Oh!”

“Well done.”

“OH!”

“That concludes your Parts and Service's task. See you next time.”

“HAHAHA, I did it! I am the FUCK TRUCK!”

Click.

Recording End.

…

Loading Next Recording.

Click.

…

The recording begins. For a second time, the tape doesn’t seem to be of the game, but rather in real life.

This time, there’s light. A lamp is on. A bedroom is visible. There are several stuffed animals on the unmade bed. A few plants sit on the windowsill.

A girl with wet blonde hair comes through a door on the right and walks into view. She’s wearing only a towel, which she takes off to put on the pajamas lying on the bed. She’s completely naked. She seems to have no idea that she’s being recorded.

Click.

Recording End.

…

Loading Next Recording.

Click.

…

The recording begins. Vanessa is in the game selection room.

“I’m probably not gonna play for long today because I have the worst headache, but the deadline is coming up, so here I am. Let’s see… I need to finish the last night of the first game, so I’m gonna do that now. Here’s hoping my Ibuprofen kicks in soon.”

Click.

Vanessa is muttering to herself as she clicks frantically through the camera screens.

“Why are we here just to suffer?”

She checks the right door. Bonnie is there. She jumps.

“Thanks, that’s insufferable! You— you waste of skin.”

With amazing timing, as though defending his insulted friend, Freddy jumpscares Vanessa. Vanessa yelps and flinches, then sighs heavily. The camera jostles slightly as she seemingly rubs her face.

“You know, at one point, I’m pretty sure I knew other feelings beyond pain.”

Click.

Vanessa is back in the game selection room after dying. The camera looks down to the candy on the floor.

“Oh, hell yeah! Therapy candy!”

She kneels down and begins to eat the candy off of the floor like a dog, adding her own chewing sound effects for a personal flare.

“Mmmm, it’s so good.”

She continues eating, then looks up abruptly. The rabbit is staring directly at her. She points at it.

“You will say nothing. I deserve this.”

Click.

Vanessa is once again in the game selection room, this time because she beat the night she was on. The camera is swaying back and forth as Vanessa seems to wobble.

“Oh fuck, I don’t feel too…”

Her words trail off into nothing. The camera is thrown sideways as Vanessa collapses. She seems to have passed out.

The recording continues for several minutes. From the doorway, the rabbit makes direct eye contact with the camera and puts a finger over its lips. Amid a sudden burst of static, a voice can faintly be heard going, “Shh…”

The recording clicks off.

Click.

Recording End.

…

Loading Next Recording.

Click.

…

The recording begins. Vanessa is in the tape room. One of the tapes is currently playing.

“There is a way to kill it. It wants to escape. To escape through someone. Someone plugged into this game. That's...you now... You have to let it begin the process of leaving through you, then use the disconnect switch that I've embedded by the main stage. Let it approach you. Let it begin to merge with you. Play the music and flip the switch. That will cause a hard restart of the game and flush the memory, effectively killing it, I hope. I don't know when it will come for you.”

“Can I just say that I really like this storyline? Like, I wasn’t expecting an actual story to be in this game, but this one is super cool. And creepy. It, like, puts you into the game in a way. It’s really immersive.”

Vanessa goes back to the main selection room, but something is different. Something is wrong. It’s terribly dark and the rabbit is now in front of the selection screen, no longer translucent, but completely full-bodied. Vanessa jumps.

“Oh! We’re doing this now! Okay! I was kinda hoping for some breathing room, but okay. Alright. I got this! What did she say again? Oh yeah! Play the music and flip the switch… Wait, how do I play the music?”

Vanessa, while laughing, begins to fumble around with all the buttons. The rabbit extends a hand to her, as though beckoning her to join it. The screen begins to distort with purple static. Vanessa’s laughter cuts off abruptly.

“Wait— what— what’s going on?”

She sounds panicked. Her movements get a little more frantic.

“Why— why can I— hello?”

She’s talking to someone it seems, but nobody aside from her can be heard.

“I— I can feel— there’s something inside— what the hell is going on?!”

A horrible, garbled noise roars from within the game. Vanessa lets out a cry of pain.

“Fuck this!”

The camera jostles like she’s trying to take the VR headset off.

“What— what the fuck? I— I can’t— I can’t take the headset off! What the hell is going on?! What is—”

She cuts herself off with another scream, more agonized and terrified than before. Sobbing can be heard shortly after.

“Oh god… No, no, no, no— stop— I don’t want— NO!”

Click.

Recording End.

…

Loading Next Recording.

Click.

…

Failure To Load Next Recording.

Please Reboot System And Try Ag01010111 01101000 01100001 01110100 00100000 01101001 01100110 00100000

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01100100 00111111 00001010 01001000 01100001 01110110 01100101 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01101100 01101001

01110110 01100101 01100100 00100000 01100001 00100000 01100110 01110101 01101100 01100110 01101001 01101100 01101100 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01101100 01101001

01100110 01100101 00111111 00001010 01000100 01101111 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01101101 01101001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01101001 01100110 00100000 01001001 00100000 01110100

01110010 01111001 00111111 00001010 01000011 01100001 01101110 00100000 01001001 00100000 01110100 01110010 01111001 00100000 01101111 01101110 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 01110010 00100000 01110011 01101011 01101001 01101110 00111111 00001010 00001010

Stop. Please.

Yo - u have fi-fight a-a-and pow-ow-power.

Please let me go. Please.

Le-let g - oOO-o-o?

Please, I don’t want this.

H - a

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

N - o

D-o-o-OO- n’ t y-o-OOoO - u s E E E E E ?

I Am You.

Click.

Recording End.

…

Loading Next Recording.

Click.

…

“Yes, I hear you.”

…

“I know…”

…

“No. There's no miscommunication…”

…

“I understand…”

…

“Yes, I have it. I made it myself. I think you would like it…”

…

“No, no one suspects anything…”

…

“Don't worry, I'll be ready, and I won't let you down. It will be fun.”

Click.

Recording End.

…

End Of Recordings.

[bellakitse]

Nothing ever stays the same

Farmer's Market redux.

A few days after running into his parents at the farmer's market, Carlos and TK run into them again. This time Carlos tells them who TK really is to him.

Spoilers for 2.04

They give the farmer’s market another try. TK suggests it since they didn’t get a chance to explore all of it the last time. Carlos agrees, even though he’s a little tentative about it.

TK swears up and down they’re okay and spends the rest of the week at his place. Carlos thinks it’s both to reassure him they’re fine and because Owen and Gwyneth are acting weirder than ever around everyone.

“They’re both jumpy as hell and secretive,” TK mentions as they walk around the market hand in hand, stopping here and there at different stalls. He smiles sweetly at the old lady that offers him to try one of her organic strawberries. Carlos watches him as he bites into it, smiling as TK’s smile grows at the taste. He opens his mouth when TK turns to him, offering him a piece, and nods when he asks if they should get a pound of the berries.

“What do you think is up with them?” he asks curiously after paying the woman.

“Oh god, who even knows with those two,” TK answers with exasperated fondness. It’s a familiar tone for TK when talking about his parents and their weird relationship. “I rather not speculate, to be honest. I don’t need any more parental trauma,” he says with a dry smile that says he’s only half-joking.

Carlos lets out a sympathetic sound before touching his shoulder, tugging him gently towards him. He’s relieved when TK comes into his space without hesitation. Even though TK has repeatedly told him everything is okay between them and understands his situation, Carlos can’t help but be unsure. He knows he really hurt TK just a few days ago in this very place, and the thought has been plaguing him since. He can’t stop thinking of when they first began and how TK’s reluctance to define them hurt him. But back then, they weren’t in love. If TK denied them now, he’d be heartbroken.

It kills Carlos that he did that, allowing his fears to take over, hurting the man he loves.

“Hey,” TK questions quietly, his green eyes soft and loving. “Where did you go? You were a million miles away just now.”

He shakes his head and forces a smile on his face hoping it’s enough to distract TK. The sad, knowing look on TK’s face tells Carlos it isn’t. He winces at the loud sigh he lets out.

TK reaches out, touching his thumb to his brow, smoothing it over, and Carlos can’t help a sound of his own at the gentle touch. He closes his eyes as TK leans in, pressing his lips to his temple as he hugs Carlos to his side.

“Stop feeling guilty already,” he murmurs against his skin, huffing out a dry laugh when Carlos tries to deny it. He gives Carlos a look as he pulls back. “It’s like you think I can’t read you like a book by now. I see every worried look you send my way. It looks like you’ve had a stomach ache for days now, enough, baby,” TK lightly scolds him, his affection for him shining through it. “We’re moving past it, okay?” he finishes in a serious tone.

Carlos looks at him and finds nothing hidden behind his eyes he doesn’t mean. He opens his mouth to say yes, that he’ll listen this time and move on from their fight when he stops short, the reason for their argument standing by the cheese stall a few feet away from them. “You gotta be kidding me,” he whispers, honestly shocked at the chances. Since when do his parents visit the farmer’s market so damn much?

TK turns his neck to follow his line of sight; he tenses against him when he finds what he’s looking at. “Damn, what are the odds,” he says under his breath. He turns back towards him with a smile so forced on his face, Carlos thinks he actually hears his heart break from seeing it. “I’m going to take a walk around the corner before they see me. You go say hi.”

TK takes a step away from him without waiting for an answer, and Carlos realizes he’s serious; he’s really willing to hide to make sure he’s comfortable. Carlos has never loved and hurt more for someone in his life. He sticks out his hand, taking TK’s before he can take another step away from him.

“No,” he says softly but firm even as his heart pounds like a jackrabbit against his ribcage as he comes to a decision. He’s scared, he can hear his pulse roaring in his ears, but he refuses to let TK feel like he did days ago; he won’t let them go through that again. “No,” he repeats once more as he gives TK’s hand a squeeze. “Nothing ever stays the same,” he reminds him of his comment from the other night, getting a quirk of TK’s lips in return. “And I don’t want it to.”

TK’s eyes widen as he gets his meaning; they stray to Carlos’ parents. They still haven’t noticed them but probably will in a matter of seconds. “Are you sure?” he asks, concerned. “This doesn’t have to happen now, I meant what I said.”

“I know,” Carlos cuts him off, knowing TK has been nothing but sincere since their talk. TK is more than willing to let him set the pace to this, and Carlos couldn’t possibly love him more for it, which is why he can’t hide him from the people he loves. “Come on,” he whispers, tugging on his hand as he starts to walk towards his parents. He feels TK give it a squeeze of his own.

“Mami, Dad,” he calls out to them, getting surprised smiles in return as they turn towards him.

“Carlitos!” his mother says happily, as his dad lets out a chuckle.

“Twice in one week at the same place,” he says with a grin. “Is the farmer’s market where first responders hang out these days? In my days, we’d just hit a bar,” he teases.

Carlos tries to smile at the joke, but his focus is on his mom, who has quickly zeroed in on his and TK’s clasped hands. She looks up at him with wide, surprised eyes.

She stares at him for a moment more, understanding entering her brown eyes. “Oh,” she says softly.

“Yeah,” he whispers back with his heart in his throat. “Mami, Dad – this is TK,” he says before looking back at him, not at all surprised at the love and support he finds in his gaze. “He’s my boyfriend, and the man I’m madly in love with.”

He turns back to them, finding their attention on him, though they both stray a look at TK once more. “I lied the other day because I was scared,” he tells them, answering their silent question. “You guys and I don’t talk about me being gay, and for years that has worked out fine,” he says, holding up a hand when his father opens his mouth to speak. “I know you guys love and accept me, but it’s been easier all these years to just ignore the elephant in the room because there was never anyone that really mattered to me.”

Carlos turns to look at TK once more, smiling at him as his heartbeat settles into a peaceful rhythm. He knows, no matter what happens next, everything will be fine because he has TK.

“That’s changed now,” he finishes knowing how true it is.

There is silence between the four of them for a moment before his father clears his throat. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, TK,” he says with a small but sincere smile.

“Yes,” his mother follows gently. “Very nice to meet you.”

TK swallows first before giving them a smile of his own; it’s nervous at the edges but beautiful. “It’s very nice to meet you too.”

His mother smiles at TK the same smile she usually reserves for him, it’s welcoming and kind, and it loosens the tension in Carlos’ shoulders. Proving she misses nothing, she instantly catches it, her expression changing once more as she looks back at him.

“You were scared to tell us about your relationship,” she comments quietly, looking sad when he gives her a shaky nod. “Oh, Carlitos,” she lets out a sigh before taking a step towards him.

Carlos swallows hard as she looks up at him, holding his breath when she reaches out, touching his cheek. “Tu sabes que te amamos, no importar qué, si? Siempre mijo, we love you,” she says sternly with tears in her eyes.

Carlos looks over at his dad, who looks affected by her words too. “Listen to her, son,” he says gruffly. “Your mother is always right.”

“That’s right,” his mother answers smugly, as she gives him a  watery smile. She pats his cheek lovingly before she looks over at TK again.

“You have a kind face,” she tells him, chuckling when TK blushes a bit. “Sweet boy,” she grins. “I can’t wait to get to know you better.”

“Maybe Carlos can bring him to Tia Lucy’s,” his father suggests suddenly, and Carlos lets out a startled laugh at the way his mother lights up.

“Yes,” she says enthusiastically. “Oh, you have to, Carlitos. You know how Tia Lucy loves pretty boys. She’ll adore him.”

“I would love to take him,” he says after clearing his throat, still a little shell-shocked at the turn of events. “That is if TK is okay with it.”

TK nods quickly as a bright smile takes over his face, and Carlos has to hide his own as his mother’s eyes widen in response; he understands her reaction perfectly. It’s taken months to not be completely overwhelmed by TK’s beauty.

“Okay, then,” his father says with a clap of his hands. “That’s settled then, we’ll see you both on Sunday. TK – “ he continues as he holds out his hand to him. “It was nice to officially meet you. You’re okay for a firefighter.”

“Thank you, sir,” TK chuckles as he shakes his hand.

Carlos is pulled into a hug by his mother and then his father, both of them squeezing him tight. His mother surprises both him and TK by pulling him into his own hug. She whispers something into his ear that causes TK to smile again as he nods at her.

They watch them leave, rounding the corner before TK turns to him with the gentlest smile he’s ever seen.

“I’m so proud of you,” he whispers, wrapping his arms around him before the first tear falls down Carlos’ face.

He shakes, but TK just holds him tighter, running his hands up and down his back. Whispering that he’s there, and he has him until Carlos can take a steady breath. When he pulls back to look at him again, TK is ready, wiping the tears off his cheeks.

“What did my mother say to you?” he asks, holding his breath at the bright smile TK gives him.

“She thanked me for loving you,” he tells him, causing Carlos to swallow around another lump of emotion forming in his throat.

“She’s right,” he whispers as he leans in, pressing his forehead against TK’s. They stay like that, blind to the world around them. Right now, there is nothing but TK and his love in Carlos’ world. “Thank you for loving me.”

TK closes his eyes, his adoring smile firmly in place. “Loving you, Carlos, is the easiest thing I have ever done.”

translation for what Carlos' mother says to him: You know we love you, no matter what, right? Always, son

[morganaspendragonss]

holly's august extravaganza day 17: you and me (moving through this world as a two-man team)

for both my incredible birthday twin jenny (@laelipoo) and a little bit for myself! i hope you are having a wonderful, wonderful day and i wish you all the love in the world. i'm so glad we became friends and i cannot tell you how glad i am for our conversations 🥰🥰🥰

many, many, many thanks to jenny as well for helping me out with the plot!

ao3 | 3.1k | firefighter carlos, hurt/comfort, pining, developing relationship, major character injury (two of them 😌)

TK does not have a crush on the 126's latest hire.

Carlos Reyes: an Austin local, an incredible firefighter, and—objectively speaking—the most beautiful man TK has ever laid eyes on. Which is, in fact, the entire point; TK has eyes and, yes, he will use them to sneak a look or two when he’s suddenly sharing space with a man who looks like a Greek god.

That does not mean he has a crush, Paul.

(and, sure, maybe he does sometimes dream about how soft Carlos’s lips look and the soft blush he gets when he laughs and those little flecks of gold in his eyes, but he’s only human)

(how TK knows about the gold in Carlos’s eyes is none of anybody’s business)

The thing about Carlos Reyes is that he isn’t only stupidly hot; he’s also just plain nice. TK can’t even make up a flimsy excuse to keep his distance. Carlos is, quite literally, perfect.

He shares recipes and book recommendations with Paul, he spars with Marjan, he discusses superheroes with Mateo, and Judd has had nothing but good things to say since before Carlos even joined them. Apparently they’d worked together a lot before the explosion, when Carlos was with the 116, and he’s ‘one of the best damn firefighters’ Judd has ever seen.

He even makes time to hang with the paramedics, which...isn’t a new development, exactly. But it is recent, and TK is willing to bet they’d still be pretty divided if Tim hadn’t suddenly transferred back to Maryland and he hadn’t taken the leap to be a full paramedic.

Even after that… His friends were hardly going to abandon him after he switched, but Nancy had still only been semi-included at best. She’d called him out about it during their first week working together, but fixing it had been a slow process.

Until Carlos came along, that is. Excluding Judd, they all regularly hang out at his place now, and Nancy’s inclusion had never even been a question. Safe to say, Carlos has charmed everyone in the firehouse, including both captains, and the worst part is, he doesn’t seem to realise he’s doing it.

He’s perfect, from his freakishly toned body to his infuriatingly sweet personality to his incredible skills in the field, and TK does not have a crush, goddammit!

One morning about three weeks after Carlos’s arrival, TK is greeted in the firehouse by the sound of a long, beautiful laugh coming from the kitchen. Three weeks is an embarrassingly short amount of time to admit that he’s memorised everything about him, but he instantly recognises the noise as coming from Carlos, even if he can’t see him yet.

He saunters into the kitchen, where Carlos is standing with Paul, and leans up against the counter. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Carlos turns with a winning smile and holds out a steaming mug of coffee, clearly freshly made even though TK only got in two minutes ago.

He blinks. “How—” Then, taking in the slight pinkness to Carlos’s cheeks, “Are you seriously offering me your own coffee, Reyes?”

Carlos shrugs, forcing the mug into TK’s hands. “I only just made it so technically it belongs to anyone, and I can always make another,” he says. “Besides, you look like you could use it more than me.”

His grin has TK narrowing his eyes and stubbornly refusing to drink even though Carlos is right—he really, really needs it.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that was an insult.”

“Who says you do know better?”

TK splutters, momentarily left speechless in the face of Carlos’s smile and the twinkle in those goddamn eyes. He turns to Paul for help, but Paul...has disappeared. Huh. TK honestly hadn't noticed him go.

He shakes his head and looks back to Carlos, only to be stunned silent again by the way his smile has softened into something else, something more.

TK’s heart skips a beat or two and he swallows, staring down into Carlos’s coffee. “Whatever, Reyes,” he mutters.

It was too late for a witty comeback anyway.

Carlos’s laugh follows him out of the kitchen, and TK wonders when, exactly, he let himself fall this far.

*

“Earth to TK? Hello?”

TK is rudely snapped back to reality by one Nancy Gillian’s hand waving violently in his face. He scowls at her, to which she responds with an eye roll.

“Stop drooling over your man and come help me with inventory.”

“I’m not drooling,” TK argues, following her over to the rig. “And he’s not my man.”

“Right,” Nancy drawls, folding her arms over her chest as she leans against the ambulance. “So you’re just going to deny that weird energy around you two that makes the rest of us feel like we’re creeping on something?”

“Exactly.” TK nods emphatically, then frowns. “Wait, what?”

Nancy casts her eyes heavenward. “You know,” she says, “you’re a lot of things, Strand, but I hadn’t pegged you for oblivious.”

TK’s next words are reflexive, said without thought for the consequences—the story of his life, really.

“I’m not oblivious!”

The grin spreading over Nancy’s face rams home just how much he’s fucked up with those three words. TK drops his head in his hands and groans, unable and unwilling to look Nancy in the eye.

“Not a word,” he warns, which Nancy appears to respect, for now. TK is well aware that there will be words—several of them—later, whether he wants them or not.

The thing is, he really isn’t oblivious. He knows perfectly well what Nancy is talking about and he has often fantasised about all the things he’d do to Carlos given half a chance. TK likes Carlos, way more than just in the physical sense, and he’s pretty sure that Carlos likes him right back. It would be so easy to start something between them and, god, TK wants to. He just… He can’t.

One year—that’s what he promised himself back in New York. One year on his own to sort his head out and figure out how he fits back into the world after the overdose. Granted, his sobriety anniversary is only a couple of months away now, but he refuses to give up on his promise, especially when he’s so close.

Maybe in a couple months, if Carlos hasn’t gotten bored of something that’s clearly going nowhere.

But not now.

*

“He did not ask me out!”

“He totally did, dude, and you know it. You want to say yes, I can tell.”

“No, I don’t. I—”

“Children,” Tommy interrupts from the back of the ambulance. They’re heading to a callout, and Nancy has not let up the entire way about something TK is certain never actually happened. “Either of you want to enlighten me on what the argument is about this time?”

“TK’s too chicken to go out with Carlos,” Nancy jumps in, before TK can stop her.

“I am not!” he protests. “Plus, he wasn’t asking me out, he said we should go over to his place for dinner sometime, which Carlos does all the time. So there.”

“Strand, you are not this dense,” Nancy snarks, probably rolling her eyes. “His exact words were, ‘You should come over sometime’.”

“We were all there! It was obviously the plural you.”

“Oh my god—”

“Alright!” Tommy sighs wearily. “Nancy, can we keep from provoking TK until we’re back at the firehouse and he’s no longer driving?”

“Ha!” TK exclaims, but Tommy’s not done.

“TK, if I weren’t your captain, I’d be telling you that Nancy is right and you should pull your head out of your ass before it’s too late, understand?”

Now it’s Nancy’s turn to be triumphant as TK struggles to form a coherent response. Thankfully, he’s saved from further torment by them finally pulling up at the scene—a warehouse where one of the workers had become trapped after parts of the upper level walkway had broken and fallen. Apparently, the falling metal had caused some of the machinery to malfunction, turning the call from simple to beyond complicated in a matter of minutes.

“TK, grab your turnout gear and your bag; I’m sending you in with them,” Tommy informs him as soon as they’re out of the rig. “Normally, we’d just talk the firefighters through it over radio, but given your training it’ll be quicker and safer for you to deal with our patient.”

TK grins; he’s missed the adrenaline rush of running into emergencies more than he can say. “Got it, Cap.”

“Maybe try and look a little less happy about a serious injury, too.”

“Copy that.”

*

The noise when they enter the warehouse is deafening, an ugly screeching cutting right through TK’s skull.

“Shouldn’t they have shut the machines off?” he shouts, fighting to be heard.

“Apparently they can’t,” Judd calls back. “Something wrong with the control panel, I don’t know exactly what.”

TK groans—just what they need. The sound is lost in the din, but Carlos still looks over and gives him a sympathetic grin, shrugging in a ‘what can you do’ motion. TK can’t help but grin back, the mere sight of Carlos easing the annoyance he feels and the headache already beginning to build behind his eyes.

Their patient, when they reach him, is pinned under a large, heavy-looking sheet of metal. He’s bleeding from a gash on his temple and his skin is worryingly pale, to the extent that TK can tell even from a distance. He jogs to the patient’s side and kneels down, pressing his fingers against his neck.

“Cap, I have a pulse,” he reports into his radio after a few seconds. “But he’s unconscious with a head wound, and I think there are probably injuries I can’t see yet. Possible spinal damage, but I can’t tell until we’ve got this metal off him.”

“Copy that,” Captain Vega says. “Get ready to run a line; he’s gonna need it as soon as he’s free.”

TK nods and moves to secure a c-collar around his neck. “We need to cut this thing off of him,” he says, addressing the team. “Quickly, but carefully.”

Judd steps forward, brandishing the saw. He hands TK a couple of spare turnouts and kneels on the patient’s other side. “Couple of you need to cover him, and yourselves.”

TK doesn’t even have to ask before Carlos appears next to him, taking one of the turnouts from him. He smiles gratefully before arranging himself to provide maximum protection to all three of them as Judd starts working on the metal. The vibrations from the saw are unpleasant, and TK dreads to think what effect it’s having on the already unstable machinery, but it’s the only option they have to get their patient free.

Fortunately, everything seems to go off without a hitch, and soon the team are able to remove the metal. TK immediately gets to work, feeling for any damage. As he suspected, there’s a pretty large gash on the man’s leg which is bleeding badly, though thankfully it seems to have missed any arteries. He also seems to have a broken wrist, but he should heal.

TK quickly wraps his leg, then gets Carlos and Judd to help move him onto the spine board. It feels like, for once, the call has gone as smoothly as possible, and TK allows himself a breath of relief as they prep to get the guy outside to the ambulance.

Naturally, that’s when everything goes to hell.

The machine closest to them lets out a threatening groan and shudders before there’s a loud roar and it explodes. On instinct, TK folds himself over the patient as shrapnel rains down on them, and he sees Carlos doing the same in his periphery.

The downpour seems to last forever, but eventually it slows and comes to a stop. TK cautiously lifts his head, his heart pounding, and sags in relief as it seems that the worst is over.

They need to get out of here, now.

He stands, a brief stab of pain running through his back—probably because of his awkward position over the patient—and turns to Carlos, reaching to offer him a hand up.

Only to see Carlos’s face tight with agony, and then the cause—a jagged piece of shrapnel running right through his hand.

“Carlos,” TK breathes, horrified. Carlos looks up at him, his breathing carefully measured and his eyes wide, and TK drops back to his knees, reaching out for him. “It’s okay, I’ve got you, don’t worry.”

Carlos swallows and nods, his eyes squeezing tight. TK’s heart rate skyrockets, and he’s barely able to keep his cool as he signals to the others to get their first patient out of the warehouse.

“Cap, the team are bringing him out, but we have a problem.”

“Talk to me, Strand, what’s going on?”

“It—It’s Carlos.” TK breathes out shakily and takes a moment to steady himself before continuing, “It’s not serious, but some of the machinery broke apart and some shrapnel impaled his hand. I’ve got to stabilise the shard before we come out to you.”

“Alright, but hurry. I don’t want you guys in there for longer than necessary.”

“Copy.”

Stabilising the shrapnel with rolls of gauze and wrapping Carlos’s hand should be a matter of course—it’s an easy process that TK could probably do in his sleep. But this is Carlos, so his damn hands won’t stop shaking and he almost fumbles and drops his supplies.

He manages though, and soon he’s helping Carlos up, instructing him to hold his injured hand above his heart. Carlos sends him a wobbly smile, which ends up turning out to be more of a grimace, but it’s a comfort nonetheless. Things could have gone so much worse today; TK could have even lost him, and he would have never been able to—

But that’s not important. Carlos is okay, or he will be, and they still have plenty of time to figure out whatever this is between them.

Everything will be okay.

TK’s back and side twinge again as they make their way out, but he brushes it off, too focused on getting Carlos to the hospital as fast as possible. Tommy shakes her head as they make their way over, her eyebrows raised despite the concern clearly in her expression.

“Never a peaceful moment with you, Strand, is it?” she asks dryly, hissing as she inspects Carlos’s wound.

“In my defence, Cap,” he says, more at ease now that they’re safe, “it’s not me who’s injured this time.”

Tommy hums, then directs Carlos into the back of the rig, jumping in after him. “Get back here, TK. Nancy’s driving.”

She has a teasing look in her eyes that instantly makes TK suspicious, but he moves to comply, shrugging off his turnout coat as he does. The movement hurts, which is weird, but he thinks nothing of it.

At least, until Tommy’s eyes go wide and she stands from her seat, holding her hands out towards him. “TK, do not move,” she instructs, her eyes firmly fixed on his right side.

TK frowns, then follows her gaze down, and— Oh.

His grey undershirt is stained with blood, and it’s difficult to miss the large piece of metal sticking out of his side. He has no idea how he missed it, but now that he knows, the pain slams into him full force, causing him to stagger.

“Oh,” he gasps, eloquently.

Then, his legs buckle and the world goes black.

*

TK wakes up to a steady beeping sound, which only exacerbates his pounding headache. He groans, scrunching his face up, before slowly peeling his eyes open, almost slamming them shut again after getting an eyeful of obnoxiously bright fluorescents.

“You’re awake,” a voice says, sounding surprised, then the lights suddenly dim, the room lit by the gentle glow of a lamp. TK sighs in relief and shifts to look at his saviour.

It’s Carlos.

“You… You’re here,” TK states, confused. His gaze drifts down Carlos’s body and lands on the white bandages around his hand, the memories of the warehouse suddenly hitting him all at once. “Shit, you— How are you?”

Carlos shakes his head and comes to sit in the chair by TK’s bed. “I can’t believe you’re the one asking me that.”

“I’m a paramedic, it’s my job.”

“Not when you’re the one in the hospital bed,” Carlos counters, sighing. “If you must know, I’m fine. They gave me some pretty good drugs, so…” He shrugs, and TK can’t help but laugh, which proves to be a very bad idea.

His side lights up, an unnecessary reminder that TK is very much not on the good drugs, and he moans softly, slowly settling back in the bed. “I hate you,” he mumbles, eyes closed.

“You love me,” Carlos says, and TK’s heart seizes in his chest.

The silence after his words is deafening, so TK forces himself to crack his eyes open enough to look at him. Carlos is frozen in his chair, biting his lip hard, and he looks like he either wants to bolt or be swallowed by the earth.

TK thinks he should probably be feeling the same. They’ve been dancing around this issue for weeks now, and he’d thought he had it under control. That he could last that little bit longer until his one year was up; that he could ignore these feelings that have been steadily growing since he first laid eyes on Carlos.

It was a hopeless endeavour; he recognises that now. TK remembers the fear he felt when Carlos was injured back at the warehouse, the desperation for him to be better, and now with his own injury…

He could have lost this chance before he ever got it, and TK isn’t about to let it slip through his fingers now. He reaches out and takes Carlos’s good hand, startling him into meeting TK’s eyes.

“Yeah,” TK whispers, just loud enough for Carlos to hear him. “I think I do.”

The smile Carlos gives him lights up the room, and he doesn’t waste any time in leaning down to kiss TK. And it’s… It’s everything TK had hoped and imagined it would be and more. It’s soft and sweet and gentle and perfect, and he never wants it to end.

But end it does, though Carlos doesn’t go far. TK smiles at him, squeezing his hand with all the strength he can muster.

“That’s a yes, by the way,” he says.

Carlos frowns. “What?”

TK’s smile widens and he flicks his eyebrows at Carlos. “To dinner. Or were you not asking me out after all?”

Carlos huffs a laugh, and the look in his eyes when they lock back onto TK’s melts his heart and makes his entire chest ache. “Does Friday work for you?”

He nods, tugging Carlos down for another kiss. “It’s a date.”

[howtosingit]

Fic: And Every Birthday After

TK makes a decision about his relationship with Carlos.

*

AU after 1x05.

3K | Also on AO3

A/N: This is up a day later than I wanted it to be, but considering it’s the first thing I’ve written in two months, I’m still going to take it as a win. Happy reading!

- - - - -

TK climbs out from the car, his eyes on his phone as he shouts a quick “thank you” over his shoulder to his Uber driver before closing the door behind him. The car pulls away from the curb as he glances up at the glowing Austin Police Department sign before him, his bottom lip trapped between his teeth while he thinks about what he wants to do next.

With another look down at his phone to check the time, he nods, turning his back on the precinct to cross the street. It doesn’t take him long to find what he’s looking for: Carlos’s blue Camaro draws attention no matter where the police officer parks it. 

TK gently runs his fingers along the shiny, unblemished surface, his attention divided between the car in front of him and the building across the street. Carlos should be appearing any moment, fresh off his shift, and TK smiles as he leans back against the door, crossing his arms in front of his chest, trying to adopt a casual pose. He can practically hear Carlos’s laugh now, his brain supplying him with the memory of the last time he failed to casually lean against the Camaro, while they waited for Paul outside the 126. 

(TK thinks that just because Carlos has perfected the art of a casual lean, he shouldn’t get to laugh at those who are still learning.)

“TK?”

He’s so lost in his memories of that night - dancing close to Carlos in the club and sneaking kisses whenever the lights left them in the shadows - that he misses when the man himself appears right in front of him. TK jumps when he hears his name to find Carlos already halfway across the street, heading right for him.

“Hey there, officer,” he calls.

“What are you doing here?” Carlos asks, and TK’s eyes shift down just in time to see Carlos hide a giant green gift bag behind his back. “I thought we were meeting a little later.”

“We were, but I got out of work earlier than I planned and thought I’d surprise you.” 

TK waits for Carlos to come a little closer, maybe even give him a kiss the way he usually does, or at the very least a smile, but the officer does none of those things. Instead, Carlos stops a few feet away from him, his beautiful brown eyes wide as he presses his lips together in a tight line. TK notices the gift bag peeking out behind his back, fidgeting in his fingers. “Did someone get you a gift?” TK asks, breaking the weirdly awkward silence with his mounting curiosity.

Carlos freezes for a nearly imperceptible moment, looking like he’s been zapped by his own stun gun, before he lets out a sudden high-pitched laugh, his face morphing into a mask of forced normalcy. “Oh, this?” he asks, pulling the bag out from behind his back. TK watches as his eyebrows furrow - truly an adorable sight - as Carlos glances between the bag and TK. “This is from my boss, for Employee Appreciation Week.”

A smile suddenly appears on Carlos’s face as he steps closer, swinging the bag at his side before wrapping an arm around TK’s waist and pulling him in. TK goes willingly, his brain still trying to catch up to Carlos’s abrupt mood shift, and lets Carlos press their lips together in a chaste kiss. 

“Thank you for surprising me,” Carlos murmurs against his mouth. “Seeing you was exactly what I needed after today.”

“Long shift?”

Carlos hums in reply, stealing another quick kiss before backing away to pull his keys from his pocket. “Something like that.”

“You want to talk about it?”

“Maybe later,” Carlos admits. TK notices the way his eyes are twinkling under the streetlights. “Right now I’m starving. Did you finally decide on a place to eat?”

“What do you think of that Greek place on Lavaca?”

“I think,” Carlos starts once they’re both in the car, tossing the gift bag in the back seat before leaning over the console to invade TK’s personal space, “that if that’s what you want, then that’s exactly what I want.”

TK lets out a breath at Carlos’s claim, a feeling of contentment running through his body from head to toe. He feels Carlos’s hand on his cheek, his breath on his face. It’s overwhelming in the best possible way.

“You’re kind of sickeningly sweet, you know that?” TK teases, pressing forward to steal another kiss. 

“That doesn’t sound like a complaint,” Carlos fires back, his eyes crinkling as a cocky smile takes over his face.

“You’re far too confident.”

“Now I know that’s not a complaint,” Carlos smirks, his eyebrows practically dancing. 

“Shut up,” TK whispers, claiming Carlos’s lips again to ensure that he does just that.

- - - - - 

“No, I’m telling you, Paul actually said that, no hesitation whatsoever. It was pretty badass.”

“Sounds like it. Though, I’m guessing Marjan didn’t really appreciate it, did she?” Carlos asks, pulling the front door closed behind him as TK flips on the light before toeing off his shoes.

“Oh, she definitely did not. I kind of thought flames were going to shoot out of her eyes, she looked so pissed.” He flops down on the couch, pulling his feet up to get comfortable. 

“I know I’ve only met her on calls, but I can still picture that face so perfectly,” Carlos laughs, cutting through the room to the kitchen, where he drops his gift bag on the counter before opening the refrigerator. “I have cake for dessert, if you want any?” he asks, glancing back over at TK.

“Oh my god, yes,” TK moans, pulling himself off the couch and towards the alluring appeal of something disgustingly sweet. He drops his phone on the table before taking a seat on one of the barstools, watching as Carlos pulls out a small chocolate bundt cake before reaching into the freezer for a pint of vanilla bean ice cream. He flits about the kitchen with a casual ease that TK is more than happy to observe, his eyes drawn to his striking figure. There isn’t a single part of Carlos that TK doesn’t like, and he knows he could sit and watch the other man every minute of every day and never get bored. 

He gives himself a little shake, trying to clear his head, and his eyes land once again on the gift bag sitting on the counter next to him.

“So,” he starts, his tone laced with curiosity, “what exactly does APD give their best patrol officers for Employee Appreciation Week anyway?” He smirks, rolling his eyes. “I’m sure it’s got nothing on AFD, we all know firefighters have you badges beat.”

It’s not something he really believes in - the whole firefighters versus police officers rivalry - but that doesn’t mean that he and Carlos don’t like to joke about how they’re “sleeping with the enemy” every now and then. It’s even made for some very satisfying, competitive moments in bed, though they’re always followed by laughs and kisses and comments about how ridiculous it all is.

TK turns back to Carlos to find him completely frozen for the second time tonight, the ice cream scoop clutched firmly in his hand with ice cream melting down the sides as he looks from the bag to TK. 

This time, TK doesn’t let it go unnoticed.

“What is it with you and this gift?” he asks, reaching out to flick the bag with his finger. “You’ve been acting weird about it all night.”

Carlos swallows, his tongue darting out to lick his lips as he drops the scoop back in the carton. 

“I lied to you.”

TK stares at him across the counter, taking in the tense set of his shoulders. It’s been awhile since Carlos was this uncomfortable in front of him, and he really doesn’t like it.

“What are you talking about?” he asks, having no idea where this is going. 

“This,” Carlos says, pointing to the gift bag as he circles around the island to stand next to TK, “is not a gift for Employee Appreciation Week.” 

“Okay, what is it then?”

Carlos stares at him for a moment, his eyes wide, before nodding and taking a deep breath, looking like he’s about to jump off a cliff.

“It’s a birthday present.”

“I don’t understand what…” TK trails off, his confusion disappearing as his brain works to put all of the pieces together: the gift bag in front of him, the chocolate cake and ice cream sweating a few feet away. His mouth goes dry, his heart hammering in his chest. His gaze darts back to Carlos, standing in front of him looking a little terrified but also a little eager, like he’s waiting to see what happens next. “It’s your birthday?” TK asks, his voice tight and barely more than a whisper.

Carlos nods.

“Oh my god, Carlos, it’s your birthday!” TK exclaims.

“It is, it is, but it’s fine, it’s nothing, it’s not a big deal,” Carlos rushes to assure him, reaching out to take his hands in his own.

“Not a big deal? It’s your birthday!” TK cries, trying to figure out what to do with this new information. His brain unhelpfully supplies a detail he had forgotten. “Wait, you’re the one who said we should get dinner together tonight,” TK reminds him.

“Yeah, we both had the night off and I wanted to see you,” Carlos mumbles, staring down at their fingers, intertwined between them. TK feels his breath stutter in his chest.

“You wanted to spend your birthday with me?” TK hedges, the words uneven as his heart threatens to choke him from where it’s become lodged in his throat.

Carlos wordlessly shrugs, a complete inversion of his confident attitude from just a few hours ago. TK takes a moment to appreciate how layered he is, how he sometimes feels like a million people in one, but how he’s still always Carlos, no matter what. “I like spending as much time as possible with you,” Carlos states, still not making eye contact. 

TK lets the words roll through him, feeling the way they light up every single nerve ending in his body. He’s surprised to find that they don’t scare him like he thought they would. Ever since the failed dinner date, they’ve both been careful to keep things from getting too serious. They’ve been having fun, hanging out and exploring Austin before coming back to Carlos’s place to roll around in bed together. They’re friends - TK is sure that Carlos is his best friend - and they’re a little bit more than that. 

Maybe TK’s finally ready to face the reality of what that could mean.

He thinks about finding out about his dad’s cancer diagnosis a few weeks ago, and how Carlos was the first person he ran to with the news. He remembers how Carlos talked him down from his uncontained anger and hurt, how he held him tight when he cried. 

Carlos was there for him when he needed him. TK’s only known him for a few months, but Carlos has always been there, strong and steady and grounding. A beacon of safety and comfort.

And TK knows that he wants to be there for Carlos in the exact same way. He honestly can’t imagine being anywhere else, now that he really thinks about it.

“Come here,” he says, tugging gently on Carlos’s hands to pull him closer, opening his legs for Carlos to stand between them. Carlos lets out a sigh, moving to place his hands on TK’s waist when TK wraps his arms around his shoulders. They rest their foreheads together, taking a moment to stare at each other, truly open and honest for maybe the first time. 

“Happy Birthday, Carlos,” TK whispers, waiting for Carlos’s smile to break through his frown before leaning in to steal it from his lips.

His breath catches again as their tongues tangle, their bodies sinking into each other as they give into their embrace. Every kiss with Carlos is worth writing a poem about, if TK was the type of person to write poetry, but this one would definitely inspire TK’s best work. He has a feeling that it’s because of him; he knows that Carlos gives his everything every time, but it’s TK who is now meeting him there with his whole heart. It’s like the wall that he’s put up has fallen away, crumbled to dust in the blink of an eye. Honestly, TK can’t even be bothered; no wall stood a chance against Carlos Reyes anyway. 

Carlos pulls away much sooner than TK thought he would, and as his eyes blink slowly open, he finds the other man staring at him, his brows furrowed once more.

“Are you mad that I didn’t tell you?” Carlos asks, his voice tight.

“No,” TK assures him immediately, reaching up to cup Carlos’s face in his hands. He feels the way Carlos sinks into his hold, letting him take some of his weight, like he trusts TK to keep him upright. “I’m not mad, Carlos. Though, I do wish I would’ve known.”

“I know,” Carlos sighs, reaching up to grip his wrists, dragging his thumbs along TK’s skin. “I know, I should’ve told you. It just… I didn’t want to make it a whole thing, spending my birthday together. I didn’t want to freak you out, I know you’re not looking for that kind of thing, I know this is just us having fun and I don’t want you to feel pressured or anything…” Carlos trails off, his grip tight as if he’s scared TK will jump up and run out of the house again. 

TK feels Carlos’s fear as if it’s hammering against his heart, but he definitely can’t blame the other man for his thoughts. Their past mistakes are all the evidence he needs to understand why Carlos hid this from him. He nods, biting his bottom lip, trying to figure out how to make it clear that he feels differently now, that he actually wants this to be a whole thing. That they’re on this path together now.

The idea comes to him so suddenly that he almost barks out a relieved laugh. Instead, he smacks a quick kiss against Carlos’s lips before jumping up from the stool, watching as Carlos’s eyes widen in panic.

“Wait, what-”

“I think I know how to make sure this never happens again,” TK interrupts, continuing to hold Carlos’s face in his hands as he backs him up a few steps towards the dining table. He pushes Carlos against it, taking pleasure in the way the other man automatically widens his stance, allowing TK to step between his legs and press their hips together. Without a word, he reaches down to grab his phone, smirking as he brings it up between their faces. 

“There,” TK says a moment later, turning his phone to show Carlos, who has stayed silent and slightly terrified this entire time, if his face is anything to go by. He looks over at the screen. “Now I’ll never miss your birthday again.” TK can tell the moment that he processes what he’s seeing, watching as Carlos’s face softens and his arms come up to wrap around his waist. 

“You want to remember my birthday next year?” Carlos clarifies, and TK is surprised to see tears in his glassy brown eyes. He tosses his phone back down on the table, reaching up to run his fingers along the stunning features of Carlos’s face.

“Babe,” he says, testing out the word for the first time and thoroughly enjoying the way it causes Carlos to vibrate against him, “I want to remember everything about you.”

There’s barely any warning before Carlos is on top of him, their lips attached once again as Carlos lays claim to him like a man unleashed. TK gives it all back to him, the two of them speaking paragraphs in touches and tastes and sighs and moans. There’s no holding back, not anymore.

When they are finally forced to pull back for air, TK takes pride in Carlos’s disheveled appearance, his curls wild and his face flushed and his lips bruised. He knows he probably looks the same, and he loves seeing the proof of their want and desire and need for each other with his own two eyes. He drags his fingers along Carlos’s plump lips, realizing for the first time that they are his to kiss, for as long as Carlos will let him. 

“This is the best birthday present I’ve ever gotten,” Carlos sighs, and TK meets his eyes to find them blown black but fixed on him, his gaze never wavering. 

“While I am obviously very glad to hear that,” TK begins, leaning forward to press a quick kiss to his favorite lips again, “you should see what kind of birthday gifts I give when I’ve had time to plan them. I can promise you, you’re not ready for next year.”

“I’m ready for anything, as long as I’ve got you,” Carlos says without hesitation.

TK groans, falling forward to press his face into Carlos’s neck, feeling the vibration of his soft chuckle against his cheek. “You’re so sickeningly sweet, I can’t stand it.” Carlos merely hums, dragging his hands up and down TK’s back to soothe him. 

They stay like that for a few moments, just enjoying the way they get to hold one another, before TK pulls back to give Carlos a look.

“Speaking of sickeningly sweet,” he teases, his fingers dancing along Carlos’s thighs on either side of him, “what do you say we take that cake and ice cream upstairs and unwrap some other presents, birthday boy?” He finishes the suggestion with a raise of his eyebrows, watching as the blush on Carlos’s face deepens before he lets out a loud, bright laugh, the two of them falling into each other as they struggle to remain upright against the table.

And TK decides that this, right here, being deliriously happy in Carlos’s arms, is everything that he could ever want or wish for.

On this day, and every birthday they’ll spend together after.

[marjansmarwani]

In the midnight hour, we came alive

3.3k || ao3 

He heard footsteps behind as he walked him but thought nothing of it until he noticed a figure leaning against the side of a building, at the mouth of an alley. It seemed innocent enough but something about it made the hair on the back of Carlos’s neck stand on edge. Something wasn’t right.

Or, When Carlos goes off on his own while out with TK and Paul, he finds more far trouble than he expected. ---- Day 2 of Angst Week: "does it hurt badly?” + "don’t move, they hit your head really hard” + infected wound for bthb

------------

This one was started with a prompt request from an Anon who asked for hurt Carlos and I decided to throw in my infected wound square for @badthingshappenbingo, requested by @immortalstrand. 

Beta’d by @silvarafael

------------

“I still don’t know why you didn’t ask Picnic Girl to come out with us.” 

Carlos rolled his eyes fondly as Paul glared at TK, “Will you let that go?” 

“No, I will not,” TK said firmly. “It seemed like she liked you and I know you liked her. So I’m just wondering why you haven’t seen more of her.” 

“You know most of us don’t just fall into a perfect committed relationship with the first person we meet in a new town, TK. Some of us have to play the game.” 

“First of all, don’t hate,” TK chided, sliding an arm around Carlos’s waist as he spoke and flashing him a grin before he continued. “Secondly, you have been playing the game! And you found a girl that seems like a good match for you. So I’m just curious why you aren’t trying harder to pursue it.”

Paul opened up his mouth to respond to his friend but was interrupted when the line moved forward. 

“Oh thank god,” Carlos muttered, rather louder than he meant to, causing the other two to look at him. “Don’t give me those looks,” he said defensively, “ you two have been having this argument all night. I will happily take any distraction. Like this lovely ID check before we get into the club where it will be too loud for you to hear each other enough to continue this conversation.” 

Paul snorted and TK shook his head at his boyfriend even as he leaned closer to him. 

“I’m sorry,” TK said sheepishly, “I didn’t mean to drag it on so long.” 

“It’s okay,” Carlos responded with a smile, “I know you mean well.” 

“You’re really just going to let him off like that?” Paul asked incredulously. 

Carlos shrugged, “He is awfully cute.” 

“Wow man, wow. I thought you had my back.” 

Carlos’s response was cut off when the line moved forward again the bouncer at the club asked for their IDs. Carlos shifted out of TK’s grasp so he could reach into his pocket, only to come up empty. He frowned, reaching into his other pocket instead with the same result. Both Paul and TK as well as the bouncer were watching him now and he shrugged, “It doesn’t look like I have it, I must have left it in the car.”

“Can’t let you in without it, man,” the bouncer began, and Carlos nodded. 

“Of course, I understand. I’ll just go get it.” 

“Do you want us to come with you?” TK asked, but Carlos shook his head. 

“No, you two go in. I’ll meet you there shortly.” 

“Are you sure?” TK asked again, “We don’t mind.” 

“I’m a big boy, Ty,” Carlos reminded him with a roll of his eyes, “I can handle walking two blocks to the car on my own. Go inside and I’ll be there before you know it. Just make sure that you save a dance for me?” 

“They’re all for you,” TK assured him, and Carlos grinned. He gave TK a quick kiss before waving at Paul and stepping out of the line, heading towards his car. 

He hadn’t parked far - the Camaro was on a side street about two blocks from the front door of the club - and it was a nice night for a walk at least. The humid day had faded into a cool night and Carlos savored the breeze and the quiet of the city at night. It was a nice reprieve from what was sure to be several hours full of loud music and close quarters with strangers and Carlos let himself enjoy it as he finished the journey to his car. 

It wasn’t a long walk and within a few minutes he had reached his destination, unlocking the door and leaning inside, peering around for his missing wallet. It only took him a moment to spot it on the floor of the driver’s seat. He picked it up, sliding it back into his pocket as he shut and locked the door behind him and stepped back onto the sidewalk to head back towards the noise and bright lights of the main street. 

He heard footsteps behind as he walked him but thought nothing of it until he noticed a figure leaning against the side of a building, at the mouth of an alley. It seemed innocent enough but something about it made the hair on the back of Carlos’s neck stand on edge. Something wasn’t right. 

He sped up slightly, not wanting to draw attention to himself but wanting to reach the main street as quickly as possible. His focus was split between that goal and on watching the figure by the alley that he didn’t notice the footsteps behind him growing ever closer until it was too late. 

The assailant attacked from behind, using a surprising amount of force to shove Carlos to the side, sending him sprawling onto the ground of the alley to his right. He picked himself up, spinning to face his attackers. It may be two against one, but he had training and strength on his side. He was a cop, he knew what was likely about to happen and he knew how to handle it. He wasn’t worried, it would be fine. 

Or at least, he thought it would until he heard more footsteps behind him, coming from different sides. Four was different. Four against one had odds that almost never favored the one. For the first time, Carlos let himself feel fear. This was not going to go well for him, he knew it with cold certainty. 

That doesn’t mean they needed to know that though. 

“What do you want?” he asked calmly, voice steady and back straight. He turned as he spoke, trying to keep them all in his field of vision as much as possible. He didn’t get an answer. What he got instead was a blinding pain as something collided with the side of his head, and he staggered. He managed to regain his footing, to stay upright, but only for another moment. There were hands on him now, roughly reaching for his pockets before shoving him down and he collided with the alley ground. A sharp pain ripped through him from his side as blows rained down on him from all directions. 

He couldn’t follow what was happening - all he knew was pain and noise. It was loud and fast and all-consuming; it made his head swim. The noise didn’t stop but eventually, the blows did. It took him a moment to realize they were done but once he did he tried to pull himself up. He needed to get out of this alley, he needed to get help. 

But the pain was too sharp and it sent him crashing down again, the arms he had been trying to push himself up with giving out beneath him. He lay there, mindful of the peril of his predicament and knowing he needed to do something, that he needed to move. But his head was swimming and he couldn’t manage to follow a coherent thought. Even the need to get help was not so much a plan as a disjointed thought floating through his pain hazed mind. He needed to get help, but all he wanted to do was close his eyes and let the blackness encroaching on the edges of his vision consume him. 

He was about to do just that when the sound of more commotion drifted in from the mouth of the alley. He heard more footsteps, and he tensed. Could they be back for round two? He was fairly certain they had already stripped him of anything of value. What more could there be to take? Maybe, he thought wryly, they just wanted to hurt him some more. Maybe that was just their idea of a good time. 

The footsteps grew closer but there were fewer of them this time, he thought. He was still trying to blink, to open his eyes and see who was coming when a voice joined the footsteps, “Carlos!” 

The voice was familiar, but he couldn’t place it. He must know them though, they had called him by name. He heard the sound of the footsteps quickening as they drew closer and the sudden warmth of someone else’s hands against his skin. He jerked back on reflex before the same voice sounded again, warm and soothing in his ears. 

“Easy Carlos, it’s just me babe. You’re safe and we’re going to get you help.” 

He frowned as he pulled his eyes open, squinting in an effort to focus, to make out the face before him. Worried green eyes greeted his own and he could feel some of the tension leave his body. 

“TK,” he croaked and his boyfriend swallowed before reaching out to rub a gentle hand on his face. 

“Yeah, it’s me, babe. Can you tell me what hurts?”

Everything Carlos thought dully but he pushed his mind, running over the pain that covered his body, looking for a source. “Head,” he said eventually, “hip.” 

He felt TK’s gentle hands leave his face and travel to his side, where he let out a curse. He said something over his shoulder and got a response but Carlos couldn’t follow any of it. Maybe if he stood up... 

“Hey, don’t move,” TK instructed, “they hit your head really hard and you have a wound on your side too. You need to stay put until paramedics get here.”  

“You are a paramedic,” Carlos muttered, but it came out more like a question. He wasn’t too sure of anything at the moment.

“Paramedics with gear and an ambulance then,” TK amended, “you’re going to need both for your side.” 

“What’s wrong with it?” he managed to ask. 

“There’s some scrap metal stuck in it,” TK told him. “I’m not sure if…” 

He trailed off but even Carlos’s hazy brain could figure out where his mind had been going, “Must’ve fallen on it,” he muttered, “when they pushed me down.” 

He could feel TK’s hands tighten on him at the revelation and saw movement as another face entered his field of vision. 

“Do you know how many of them there were?” the other face (Paul, his mind provided. They had been out with Paul) asked. 

“Four maybe?” Carlos said with a shrug that ended abruptly with a wince as he jostled his side. TK’s hands moved to his shoulders, steadying him. 

“Hey, try and hold still,” he said softly, “you’re in pretty rough shape.”

“I’m fine.” 

The fact that the words entered the night air slurred did not help his case and caused TK to scoff, “Don’t even try that with me Carlos Reyes, you are not fine.” 

Carlos wanted to argue with him, to tell him he was fine so he could get rid of that terrified look in TK’s eyes but he couldn’t find the words. His efforts were stalled by the sounds of approaching sirens and he realized with dread that there would be police called to the scene as well. When he had planned his night in his head being found bleeding and injured in an alley by his coworkers had never entered the equation, but his luck was just like he supposed. 

“It’s okay,” TK assured him, “the ambulance just got here. You’ll be out of here soon.” 

Carlos wasn’t sure if he had shared his thoughts out loud or not, but he appreciated the reassurance either way. He wouldn’t be any good to talk to at the moment anyway. His brain was still too scrambled, everything that had happened was in his mind in flashes; quick and jumbled and out of order. 

There were more footsteps and voices now. There was a flurry of activity and Carlos couldn’t keep track of any of it. All he knew was pain and the feel of TK’s hands on him. He heard his boyfriend’s voice and he tried to follow it, tried to cling to it to maintain some semblance of what was going on but he was only able to extract every few words. The rest hit his mind and dissipated, losing all meaning in the face of the pain and confusion engulfing him. 

More hands were on him now but TK stayed at his side, a comfort and an anchor amongst all the commotion. He heard his name from the edges of the commotion - his fellow officers, no doubt. He closed his eyes again, cursing his horrible luck but TK lightly prodded him.

“Hey, stay with me Carlos. You need to stay awake.” 

He made a noise of protest but opened his eyes nonetheless in time to see the world shift as he was transferred to the gurney. He was pushed through the growing crowd, TK at his side murmuring words of encouragement. His world shifts again as the gurney is lifted into the ambulance and pain washes over him as his side is jostled. He hisses in pain and TK’s hands are on him again, warm and comforting to pair with his soothing voice, “It’s okay Carlos, you’re going to be fine. Just stay with me, babe.” 

And Carlos wants to, he really does. But the darkness at the edges of his vision is growing closer now and he doesn’t think he really has a choice. He meets TK’s eyes, so full of love and worry, and tries to smile before his eyes close again, TK’s voice the last sound he hears. 

-----------

The next time he’s aware of anything he’s in a hospital room. At least, he thinks he is. Everything is a little hazy, but he knows he’s no longer in the alley, at least. 

He groans as the light hits his eyes, causing a spike of pain in his head. He hears movement off to the side and then there is a hand on him and a soft voice to his side: “Carlos?” 

The voice was soft and familiar. “TK?” 

“Yeah babe,” he said, “it’s me. How are you feeling?” 

“Lousy,” Carlos told him honestly, pulling a weak chuckle from the other man. 

“That’s not surprising,” he said quietly, gently pulling himself onto the edge of the bed so Carlos could see him better. 

“What happened?” Carlos asked him, frowning as he tried to piece the fragments of sound and sensations in his mind into something concrete. “I remember being attacked and then you and Paul finding me, but nothing after that.” 

 TK reached out a hand wrapped it around one of Carlos’s, “You just got out of surgery a little while ago,” he told him softly, “they had to remove the metal in your side. There was a decent amount of tearing and it was dirty, so they’re worried about infection. To top all that off you have a concussion and a skull fracture.” 

“Ouch,” Carlos said absently and TK gave him a sympathetic grin. 

“Ouch is right. The good news is that as long as you aren’t showing any signs of infection you should be able to be released tomorrow, providing you have someone to stay with you. And it just so happens I have some vacation time saved up.” 

“Is that so?” 

“Mhm,” TK confirmed lightly, reaching out his other hand to caress Carlos’s face. Carlos leaned into the touch, but TK frowned. “You’re really warm, babe.” 

Really? Carlos was surprised by the statement. “I’m freezing,” he told TK, whose frown deepened. 

“That’s not a great sign,” he admitted, “could be an infection setting in. I’m going to try and grab your doctor, you just relax, okay?” 

“Okay,” he told TK, but his eyes were already drifting closed again. He didn’t know why it was so hard to keep them open. Maybe it was the after effects of the anesthesia. Regardless of the reason, Carlos was out before TK even reached the door. 

-----------

The next few times Carlos woke up were a haze. He thinks he’s been awake a few times, but they all blended together. There are sounds and voices, people and faces he can’t quite place. And TK - TK is always there. That’s the only thing Carlos knows for sure. 

He doesn’t know how long it had been but eventually, when he opened his eyes, his mind felt clearer. He blinked a few times to test it before glancing around the room. The hospital seemed quieter than usual, the typical hustle and bustle more sedated. But that’s not Carlos’s concern. His only concern is the sleeping figure in the chair beside his bed, head braced uncomfortably by his left arm held aloft by the side of the chair. The other man looked exhausted and as much as Carlos wanted to see his eyes and get some answers, he couldn’t bear the thought of waking him. He settled instead for attempting to shift into a more comfortable position, which turned out to both be impossible and a mistake as he jostled his side and let out an involuntary gasp of pain. 

TK was awake in an instant, head dropping unceremoniously off of his extended hand as he sat up, eyes flying open and seeking Carlos in panic. 

“I’m sorry,” Carlos said sheepishly when their eyes met, “I didn’t want to wake you, you look exhausted.” 

“It’s fine,” TK assured him hurriedly, leaning forward in his seat, “I’m just happy to see you awake again. How are you feeling?” 

“Better,” Carlos told him honestly, “still in pain and not feeling great, but my mind feels clearer than it has the last few times I woke up, I think. It’s all kind of a haze, to be honest.” 

TK’s expression darkened as he leaned forward, placing the back of his hand on Carlos’s forehead, “I’m not surprised, the infection they were worried about came, and it hit you hard. You don’t feel warm anymore, I think the fever finally broke.” 

Carlos frowned at his boyfriend as he leaned back into his seat, “How long has it been?” 

“We’re on day 3 now. Well, night 3. It’s after midnight now.”

“Shit,” Carlos said, leaning his head back into the pillows and TK chuckled lightly.

“That about sums it up, yeah. That’s what happens when a piece of rusty metal impales you. They think that it got into your bloodstream which is why the infection spread so fast and, well it was really scary, Carlos.” 

There was quiet for a few moments as they both got lost in their own thoughts. Carlos opened his mouth, but TK shook his head. 

“Don’t apologize,” he said firmly, “none of this is your fault.” 

“I wasn’t going to,” Carlos said defensively, choosing to ignore TK’s skeptical eyebrow, “I was going to thank you, for being here. I know it can’t have been easy.” 

TK’s expression softened and he lifted himself out of his chair, coming to rest on the side of Carlos’s bed. “There’s nowhere else I would have wanted to be,” he told him honestly, “you needed me and that’s where I will always be, no matter what.”  

Carlos smiled at him and shifted over in the bed to make more room. Or at least, that is what he planned to do. Instead, his movements were brought to an abrupt halt by a flash of pain as he jostled his side again, freezing his movements and pulling a gasp from his lips. 

TK’s hands were on him in an instant, steady and reassuring. “Hey, try not to move too much,” he admonished lightly, “you’re still injured.” He gestured down to his side, “Does it hurt badly?” 

“Yeah,” Carlos admitted, “but I’ll be fine. You’re here and that’s all I need.” 

TK studied him for a moment before breaking out in laughter. “Carlos Reyes,” he said between breaths, “you are a sap. And while that’s sweet, I think some pain medication might help too.” 

He leaned around Carlos to reach for the call button and Carlos sighed in defeat. 

“Fine,” he relented, “but I’d much rather have you.” 

“Whoever said the two were mutually exclusive, babe?” TK asked him, leaning forward and pressing a light kiss to his forehead, “I’m not going anywhere, and that’s a promise.” 

[futures-tense]

Hi. Is bruises prompt still free for Bad Things Happen Bingo? If so, may I request it? I have an idea, but it you dont like it, dont feel obligate to write it 😊 the crew begin to notice frequent new bruises on TK. In different places. They begin to suspect that Carlos is not as a saint as he seemed to be. They keep a close eye on TK and Carlos. When asked about the cause of the bruises, TK evasively replies that it is his clumsiness, which makes them even more suspicious. They can't stand it anymore when one day they accidentally notice hand-shaped bruises on his neck and wrists. Carlos, backed against the wall, confesses a truth that is different than everyone expected. TK and Carlos just started BdSM experiments in the bedroom and TK likes it on the rougher side, especially when he starts having cravings for drugs.

TW: accusations of abuse (there’s no actual abuse but still, take care of yourself)

So I’m not super comfortable with the BDSM part BUT I did take the first part of the prompt and I used a bit of a,,, familiar storyline for some of you so I hope you like it!!

the blood on my hands (scares me to death)//3.4k

TK’s been off all day. Paul noticed it first (obviously) and now Judd wishes he hadn’t said anything at all. Because now-- after watching him a little more carefully-- he’s seen TK wince about a dozen times in the last three hours. He’s been wearing long sleeves. 

In the middle of August. 

In Austin, Texas. 

He tried to put it out of his mind. TK would talk when he’s ready, he thinks. And they all know how well he does when they press him on topics he’s not ready to talk about. 

So Judd tries not to think about it. Until he goes into the locker room. 

He turns the corner and runs a towel over his drying hair, glancing up at TK on the other side of the room. 

But he stops. 

The black and blue bruise coloring his shoulder stands out against his skin. It spreads to the top of his arm and TK winces as he pulls his shirt on. 

“Damn,” he says, making TK jump. “That’s a hell of a bruise you got.”

“Yeah,” TK mumbles. “What can I say; I’m a clutz.”

A knot twists in Judd’s stomach. That was barely believable. Which means that TK’s lying about how he got hurt. It could mean any number of things-- all of which Judd doesn’t want to think about.

“What’d you do?”

TK makes a face as if he hadn’t expected the question to come up. “I just… fell. Down the stairs.”

Judd raises an eyebrow, entirely unconvinced. “You fell down the stairs.”

TK nods but doesn’t look up at him. 

The knot tugs tighter. 

But before he can say anything, TK’s out the door. Judd watches him go, wringing the towel in his hands.

Paul and Mateo come in a moment later and he looks down. 

“What is that look for?” Paul asks but Judd just shakes his head. “Oh, so you’re going to be weird and ominous now too?”

Judd takes a breath but doesn’t respond. 

He prays he’s wrong.

____

Carlos:

Dinner?

Carlos:

I’ll cook

TK: 

Not tonight

Carlos: 

Tomorrow then?

TK:

Can’t, working

Carlos frowns at his phone. He knows for a fact that his boyfriend has the next day off-- they both do, he was kind of excited about it. Not to mention, TK hardly ever sends such short messages, and he’s canceled four date nights in the past month.

He clenches his jaw and climbs out of the car, slipping his phone into his pocket as he closes the door. 

His shift ended about twenty minutes ago and TK’s shift ends in an hour or so. And with the way TK’s been acting odd lately? Well, Carlos doesn’t see anything wrong with stopping by for a few minutes. 

Carlos adjusts his jacket and looks around the firehouse. He spots Judd in the kitchen first. 

“Hey, Judd,” he says with a smile. “Have you seen TK?”

Judd barely spares him a glance, already turning his back on him. “Meds on a call,” he says flatly, just before he turns toward the gym.

Carlos shoves his hands in his pockets uncomfortably. “Alright,” he mumbles. 

He sits at the counter, determined to be there when TK returns. Paul and Marjan come in a few minutes later. 

“Hey, Reyes,” Marjan says, making a beeline for the coffee maker. 

“Marj, that is your fifth cup today,” Paul says. 

“And?” She smiles then turns her attention back to Carlos. “Did you just get off?”

“A little while ago, yeah,” he nods. Paul offers him a cup of coffee but he shakes his head. “TK said he was working late today, so I thought I’d stop by on my way home.” 

Marjan makes a face. “No, he’s not.”

Carlos can feel his throat tighten. “That’s what he told me.”

It’s Paul’s turn to shake his head. “We invited him out with us but he said he had plans with you.”

Carlos has to look down-- any direction really-- because they’re sharing a look and giving him concerned looks-- which is exactly what he doesn’t need at the moment.

The roaring of the ambulance rumbles through the station as Nancy guides TK back into the bay. 

When they park it, TK jumps down and Carlos sees him clench his hand into a fist. He falls into easy banter with Nancy as they make their way to join them. TK grins when he sees him. 

“Hey, babe,” he says, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “What are you doing here?”

“Well, you said you couldn’t make dinner,” Carlos says quietly. “I thought I’d stop by.”

Marjan makes a face. “Hey, Paul, Nance, why don’t we go find Mateo and we can play doubles?”

“Yeah, Paul,” Nancy starts. “Why don’t Marj and I absolutely obliterate you and Mateo in foosball?”

The three walk away, already riling each other up. Tk watches them go with a quiet laugh but Carlos shifts in his seat. 

“So, Judd seems to be mad at me and you lied to Paul and Marjan.” He swallows. “And me.”

TK looks at him for a moment, then down at his hands. “I don’t know what’s going on with Judd and I don’t know what the others told you. But, Carlos, I wouldn’t lie to you.”

Carlos wants to call bullshit but he doesn’t. TK reaches for his hand but he pulls back. “Why don’t-- we’ll talk at home.”

Carlos turns just in time to see TK’s face fall. 

“No, Carlos, wait.”

He stops, against his better judgment.

“I’m- I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“Lying.” TK nods to himself. “I shouldn’t have.”

Carlos raises an eyebrow when he doesn’t continue. “That’s it?”

TK laughs helplessly. “What else are you expecting?”

He rolls his eyes and shrugs sarcastically. “I don’t know, TK, maybe an explanation?” TK purses his lips and looks off to the side. It’s his resigned look-- the one he makes when he doesn’t want to talk anymore. But Carlos isn’t giving up that easily. “Why did you lie to me? To Paul and Marj? What’s the real reason you can’t make it tonight?”

TK seems to consider something but evidently talks himself out of it. “That’s-- I can’t answer that, Carlos, please just drop it.”

This is it.

The one question he never thought he’d have to ask him. And he’s not sure he wants to know the answer. 

“Are you seeing someone else?”

TK hates the question as much as he does.

“God, no, ahuvi.” 

He tries to step close again but Carlos can’t. He doesn’t feel like he can trust him-- at least not right this moment. And he hates that. Because this is TK, the most caring and loyal person he knows. 

Or. He thought he knew. 

“Then what is going on?”

“Babe, please, just-”

His request is cut off by the alarm calling for the medical team. He sighs and curses under his breath. 

“Can we talk about this at home?”

Carlos scoffs. “Will you be there?”

He knows it’s uncalled for and he regrets the words immediately. The words make TK’s features twist in a way that Carlos never wants to cause again. He lingers a moment longer before going to the ambulance. 

Carlos pinches the bridge of his nose. He doesn’t know what to do or who to go to for advice. He might if he knew what was happening. But he’s been left out of the loop again and-- honestly? He’s getting pretty fucking sick of it. 

Continue Reading on AO3

[justapoet]

in the mirror, what do you see?

TK had a bad day, and somewhere among broken glass and tears, Carlos, Grace Ryder and a pie were there to pick the pieces up.

2.7k

          Some days would go by easier if they never really existed, and it intensifies if your life choices led you to be a first responder. Having to deal daily with human ignorance, despair and selfishness can take you out of your mind more often than anything else can in the world, but there’s nothing else to drive you insane faster than dealing with other people’s loss.

           It was bad as a firefighter, and TK found it even worse as a paramedic. While people understand easily that they couldn’t pull someone out of a building on fire or an incredibly ugly car accident, they tend to always look at paramedics as if the loss was their fault and their fault only, as if fate or whatever made them be needed in the first place.

           You should’ve done more.

           The old woman’s voice still echoed on TK’s mind when he stepped into Carlos’ house and shut the door behind him. He felt drained, completely exhausted, and didn’t even bother about saying goodbye to anyone at the station ― he knew he wouldn’t be able to hold his feeling in if he looked at anyone’s eyes. They’d all seen every loss, that day.

           Why aren’t you trying harder?!

           Another voice echoed in his ears, and he dropped his bag by the door, not bothering about getting his shoes or coat off. His hands were trembling, his breathing was short and faster than it should be, but he didn’t care about trying to calm himself down.

           You’re letting her die?! Which kind of paramedic are you?!

           He couldn’t avoid the first tear to fall, and then the other’s just ignored his feeling of ridiculousness as they fell copiously. Although Tommy had said that they couldn’t save everyone, trying to reassure him that he did not fault all of that, he couldn’t help but thinking that not being able to save everyone is something, but not saving anyone is something else.

           That’s not enough! What you did it’s not enough!

           That was probably the loudest voice in his head since the last call when they couldn’t save a seventeen-year-old girl who’d taken pills to die sleeping. Their parents had found her in her bed, the room was a mess and that orange bottle on the floor had only one pill left. TK understood it all easily, and so did his team and his dad’s team as well. They tried to keep him out of the scene, but the girl’s parents were screaming and crying and they had to take care of them while TK got closer to the bed and the dead body.

           They couldn’t save her.

           He couldn’t save her.

           And he wished so bad he could forget about what he’d seen in that purple wall bedroom just as much as he could let himself give up on those feelings without disappointing anyone. But he can’t do any of that, so he drags his feet to the living room and stops himself before making it to the couch. There was someone in the mirror hanging on the wall, and he could only stare at the figure.

           In the reflex, the skin seemed even paler than he could remember, and his body was even thinner. Shoulders bent down as if there was too much weight on it for him to carry, and for a second he was thankful the mirror was in circle shape, so he didn’t have to see the rest of the miserable image. The tired face, exhausted and empty, didn’t seem to be recognizable, but he knew it perfectly; the purple spots under the opaque green eyes, the way too apparent cheekbones, the complete image of failure.

           He hated that person so much, for a second.

           And that was enough for, in a moment of rage, his arms to go forward and his fists to hit the mirror with all he’d been holding up, bottling up for maybe more than just a day. He felt his skin ripping, the cuts being a good amount at his knuckles, fingers, and even his wrist, and then the tears fell as if he’d finally found an acceptable excuse to cry his soul out.

           He also hated himself for crying like an idiot kid who couldn’t convince their mother to buy their favorite candy, and it made him cry even more. He didn’t think much when he punched the mirror again and then fell to his knees, the glass under him showing more images of that pathetic person on the ground.

           “Idiot,” he said to the lots of faces in the fractions of the mirror, punching it again and feeling the pain grow even more on his hands. “Idiot! Stop it” he said, more like a plea. “Stop crying, stop-” and a sob made his sentence get lost within the dark walls.

           “Make it stop,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. “Please” his voice broke, and he sat to the ground, his feet making noise when stepping on the broken glass, his shoes protecting him from more pain. He brought his knees to his chest, holding tight and feeling his hands ache even more, the sting making him conscious of the blood too.

           TK doesn’t know how much time he spent there, and even less when he started to say “sorry” repeatedly. What he does know, though, is that he couldn’t help but try to let go of the sudden touch on his shoulder, his head being lifted quickly enough to get him dizzy. The worried look on Carlos’ face made him feel small and oh, so, so stupid. He looked around as if expecting someone else to be there, and, then, realized.

           He’d broken Carlos’ mirror and made a mess at his house because of a bad day. Oh, boy, how he hated every single thing about himself, at that moment.

           “Ty?” Carlos called, seeing how desperate and scared TK seemed to be. His name on the cop’s lips was sweet, so different from the way it sounded in his head.

           “Sorry, oh, God,” he said. “I-I’m so sorry, sorry I” he tried to say, moving his hands so he could try to get up, and then Carlos saw his hands, immediately understanding what could’ve happened. “I’ll clean it up, I’ll buy you a new mirror, I-”

           “TK” Carlos said, his voice serious and, yet, sweet. “It’s a mirror. Just a mirror and glass on the floor. What happened to your hands?”

           TK didn’t seem to get what his words meant.

           “No, no, I’ll buy you a new one. I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have come, I” he tried again, tripping when he managed to get up and looking around as if searching for a way out. Carlos analyzed him, and then reached for his arms. TK stopped moving when Carlos touched his pale skin, and the latino noticed he seemed to be about to fall.

           “Ty” he called again, just as sweet as before. He didn’t say anything else, but his sweet gaze didn’t leave TK’s face for minutes, and it was enough to make him break all over again. His legs gave in, and Carlos was fast when holding him close by his waist and slowly passing his fingers through the paramedic’s hair.

           Slow steps towards the couch and TK curled himself on Carlos’ side, crying even harder and sobbing unstoppably. His bloody knuckles were white underneath the cuts, so much was the strength he was using to hold to his shirt. His eyes were closed, and Carlos didn’t even try to say anything; he didn’t have to, anyway.

           “I’m not enough” he heard TK whispering, and his heart shattered to pieces to his tone and the chosen words. “Why am I never enough?”

           “Why are you saying that?” Carlos asked just as quietly as TK’s voice itself. TK tried to breathe deep, but his shaky breath made clear he was still trying to hide his tears.

           “We lost everyone,” he said, then. “It wasn’t enough, I wasn’t enough” another sob. “I’m never enough”.

Carlos could almost hear his heart breaking in his chest, and he held TK a little bit tighter than before, trying to find what to say. TK cried silently for a little while, and Carlos took a breath before opening his mouth and start speaking quietly.

"People are what they are, TK. No one's ever enough if they're trying to fit in other's expectations," he said. "To be enough, in the dictionary definition, always has the word "required", as a pronoun, an adverb, or a determiner. And to be required is to fit someone else's ideas and expectations. That's not what we're here for"

"We lost them all, Carlos," he said again, and the cop could feel him shaking. "All of them. No one survived"

"Death happens, Ty, as much as life does. You did all you could and their bodies needed more, but you couldn't provide that, could you?" he shook his head. "That's not on you, TK"

"That's why I'm there for, Carlos, I'm a paramedic," he said and Carlos cut him before he could continue.

"A paramedic, not a god or an angel. Although I disagree, sometimes" he said, a tiny smile on his lips while his hand carefully caressed his boyfriend's back and arm. "That's not on you".

"Why did they blame me then?" his voice could barely be heard. Carlos pressed a kiss to his head, whispering against his messy hair.

"Death is only painful for those who stay, babe. And the way we try to cope with pain is by putting it on someone" his fingers slowly reached to TK's. "Or giving another reason for the tears to fall".

TK swallowed hard, hiding his head on Carlos' side.

"I'm sorry" he chocked.

"Don't be. It's just a mirror, just glass" the cop said, and TK shook his head. "And if you're, somehow, apologizing for "not being enough" or for being who you are, then we're having an argument over what you think of my boyfriend."

TK didn't say a thing, but he nodded. There was a knock on the door, and he seemed to hide even more. Carlos pressed another kiss to his hair and squeezed his arm briefly, before getting up and smiling at the silhouette through the glass.

TK didn't know who he should expect, but that definitely wasn't Grace Ryder with a kind smile and a pie in her hands.

She stepped into the house and hugged Carlos, joking over something while he closed the door behind him. Then, she looked around the room, her eyes stopping when she saw TK trying to disappear inside the couch. Carlos took the pie from her hands, slowly making his way to the kitchen and placing it at the counter, and Grace made a similar way, stopping in front of TK, though.

"Hey there, kid," she said, her voice just as kind as her smile. TK seemed to be scared, and then Carlos came closer.

"No one's here to judge you, Ty"

"Neither to make questions," Grace said. "But I do gotta say that we need to take care of this, uh?" she pointed to his hands, his fingers closed in a fist. "Just so we can take care of this, after," she said again, her thumb gently touching his cheek over a trail of tears.

"I'm sorry," he said again, seeming to be ashamed. Grace's smile softened even more, and Carlos mirrored her.

"What for?" she asked. "For being human? We can take it" she said. "If you let us, of course. Your boy here was really worried when he asked me if there was a way for our pie on Wednesday to be rescheduled to a Saturday night" she pointed to Carlos with her head, and he smiled. TK couldn't help but do the same. "See? That's what we were looking for. C'mon, let's clean these cuts"

She held his elbow, helping him to get up. Carlos kissed his temple briefly, before walking back to the kitchen to get a broom to clean the mess on the living room floor. Grace walked TK to the bathroom, sitting him on the toilet and remembering where Carlos said the first aid kit was, taking it to clean TK's hand.

They stood in silence while she carefully passed a wet gauze through the cuts, knowing that it would sting and TK wouldn't say a thing about it anyway. He drifted away for a few moments, so confused to put any thought in place, but was brought back by her low and gentle voice.

"Some days we're so focused on helping people that we leave ourselves helpless," she said. "and when we lose someone? Feels like we let ourselves be carried away by someone else's pain. Then, we feel lost, too".

"Did Carlos call you?" TK asked, not knowing how to answer what she said. Grace smiled softly, turning his hand so she could see his wrists.

"Judd said y'all had a hell of a day. He was worried about you, mainly, though. Something about you leaving without a word and almost running out of the station" she explained. "So, I messaged Carlos and he replied half an hour ago, saying that maybe you could use some pie".

TK felt his chest being filled with a warm feeling.

"Judd wanted to come, but he thought that, maybe, you'd be better without so many people around, even if they were people who cared," she said again, getting a few bandages from the box. "But, now, I gotta say that you're invited to lunch tomorrow, and Judd doesn't take "no" as an answer".

TK smiled briefly, chuckling.

"I'm sorry about worrying you guys," he said, though. "I didn't mean to... God, it was so stupid-"

"Feeling what you feel, whatever it is, is not stupid, TK" Grace said, then, her voice serious. "Not at all. And we worry because we care. We love you, kid. All of us" she continued, and TK couldn't find something to tell her otherwise.

"Thank you," he said instead, quietly. Grace smiled, finishing her work and putting her hand on his shoulder.

"You're not hateable as you think you are, honey. The 126? They love you. Tommy and Nancy? You stole their hearts easily. Me? I admired you before even knowing you, just because Judd started to say how stubborn you were" she chuckled, and TK could see the love shining in her eyes just to mention her husband. "That man out there?" he pointed to the door, referring to Carlos. "The look on his face every time he looks at you or thinks about you? Oh, kid, he loves you more than life itself, I bet. And you do, too, because the look on your face right now it's the same I see on myself when I think about Judd"

"I don't deserve him," he said, even if his heart was about to burst with love for the cop. Grace chuckled, helping TK to get up.

"You deserve everything good, Strand," she said. "And I'm pretty sure that Officer Reyes is the summary of all of it"

TK smiled fondly.

"Yeah. I think so" he said, getting lost in the thought of Carlos for a second. "But can I have the pie, too?" he asked, and Grace laughed loudly while walking out of the bathroom.

Getting back to the living room, TK couldn't stop his feet from going straight to Carlos, wrapping his arms around the man's waist and placing his head on his shoulder, sighing happily. Carlos smiled, putting the bag with the broken glass on the ground and hugging him back, placing a kiss at the top of his head. Grace smiled at them, nodding happily when Carlos found her eyes.

When they sat on the couch, each with a slice of pie on a plate and the pie on the coffee table, laughing over any random things and some stories Grace had to tell after being a dispatcher for so many years, TK rested his head on Carlos' shoulder and closed his eyes for a second. While listening about some guy who got trapped in his ex-wife's closet, he looked up and stared at his boyfriend's smile, then at the smile on Grace's face.

Right there, he was enough. And if two people just as good and Carlos and Grace could love him, maybe his reflection wouldn't be so painful anymore. 

[mimisempai]

Wait for me on the other side 4/8

Chapter summary :

Where we learn more about the past of Mobius and Loki... Where Croki is uncontrollable... And where everything ends in surprise...

https://archiveofourown.org/works/32948254/chapters/82165354

2021 - Loki's apartment

Loki steadied himself with a pounding heart and picked up, "Hello?"

-Loki?

-Yes?

-It's Sigyn.

It took Loki a moment to realize who it was and let the slight disappointment fade away.

-Sigyn?

-Yes, I'm in New York. I came for a conference but it got canceled, so I figured I'd call you. To see if you were free.

An hour later, Loki and Sigyn were walking around in awkward silence. Loki hadn't wanted Sigyn to get any ideas, so he'd preferred to meet her on neutral ground.

"Thanks for coming."

"Sure, no problem." replied Loki.

"It's been too long."

Loki didn't answer, he didn't want to start a sensitive discussion. Actually, he didn't want to be here at all.

"How is Croki?" continued Sigyn.

"He's fine."

"Is he adjusting to life in the city?"

"Yeah, he's doing well."

"Good. I miss him."

Here we go... get out your handkerchief...

Exactly the kind of discussion Loki didn't want to start. Again he preferred not to point out, and again let the awkward silence settle.

"Have you eaten, by any chance?" asked Sigyn.

"No, but..."

"Me neither." replied Sigyn, not even letting Loki speak. "I just realized I'm starving. Maybe we can get a quick bite somewhere."

Loki reluctantly nodded. They passed a small, elegant restaurant, "Freya's restaurant".

"What do you think of this? It looks good." raved Sigyn.

Loki protested, "Oh, no, Sigyn, this place is way too...".

But Sigyn was already heading inside and Loki had no choice but to follow her. The place was small, elegant and serene. And it was completely crowded. Sigyn approached the hostess.

"Good evening, table for two, please."

The hostess looked taken aback and asked her, "For tonight?"

"Yes, please."

The young woman replied with an apologetic tone, "I'm sorry, Miss. We are completely booked for tonight."

She looked at the reservation book before continuing, "But in three... no, I'm sorry, four months from now we have an opening for dinner if you want to make a reservation. Five-thirty or eleven-thirty?"

Sygin, turned on her heel, clearly disappointed and Loki followed her.

A little later, they were eating in a pizzeria on the corner.

Seeing Sigyn's dejected look, Loki took pity on her and said gently, "Don't feel bad. This is one of the best restaurants in town. It's okay that there's no table, that's what I was going to tell you."

Sigyn sighed, "It's not that..." she paused and then resumed, "I didn't do it right."

Loki realized she had lied to him, "You didn't have a conference, did you?"

She shook her head and Loki waited for her to continue.

"I thought you'd see me if it didn't seem like a big deal, a surprise, a quick coffee... But coffee could turn into dinner. And dinner could turn into..."

"What?" asked Loki dryly.

" Anything." replied Sigyn sheepishly.

"So it was an ambush."

"Yes..." sighed Sigyn again.

Loki exasperated, said, " Another one."

Sigyn, on the defensive, asked him, "What do you mean?"

Loki replied wearily, "Sigyn. You were always jumping ten steps ahead. A week after we met, you were already planning our entire lives. When I was still in college, you were picking out real estate. I'd come visit you for the weekend and you'd invited all your high school friends, the whole town to your house to meet me."

Sigyn replied defiantly, "At least I didn't go out with anyone else."

Loki surprised her by asking, "What do you mean?"

"At the party..."

"Oh my God Sigyn. I didn't go out with him! I kissed him once, and he was just a random guy and it was years ago.... I can't believe you remember that."

"Okay. You're right. I don't want to fight. It's just... part of me wonders... if I had moved to New York when you wanted me to..."

Loki replied firmly, "You didn't and leaving was the hardest decision I've ever made. I hope you know that. But that's water under the bridge and it's time to move on."

Sigyn looked disappointed but nodded, "I'm sorry. I never should have called. I just... miss you."

Loki didn't answer. He didn't want to, because if he was honest he would have to tell her that he didn't miss her anymore.

He couldn't stop his thoughts from slipping to his mysterious pen pal and the connection he had with him.

They finished their meal in a heavy silence. Loki was eager to get back to his apartment.

2019 - In front of the TK building

Mobius got out of his pickup, let out a big sigh and entered the imposing building.

When he reached the third floor, he knocked on the door.

The familiar voice answered, "Come in."

Mobius paused in the doorway, waiting for Ravonna to look up.

"What a surprise, the prodigal son has returned," the woman said by way of greeting.

"I was in the neighborhood..." he paused, uncomfortable, then continued, "How are you?"

"I'm fine." replied Ravonna who said nothing more.

Mobius entered the room with an uncertain step.

"Why don't you get to the point, Mobius."

Mobius stepped forward and placed an envelope on Ravonna's desk.

Ravonna took it and pulled out a check.

"What's this?"

Mobius replied calmly, "It's what I owe you."

Ravonna looked puzzled, "I beg your pardon?"

"It's about the same amount of money I would have made for TK if I had stayed on for the duration of my contract. So there you go, we're even."

"So you wasted your money," Ravonna replied, "You didn't owe me anything."

Mobius replied firmly, "I feel better. We were both in on this project originally and I feel like I let you down, so we've come full circle."

"If it makes you feel better. Good for you. Is that all?"

"I bought the house on the cliff."

"I heard about it. Finally, despite your high principles, it seems you don't mind making money right?"

Ravonna looked briefly at the check and pocketed it.

Mobius, annoyed by her coldness and what she had just said, said, "You know it's not the same thing... but you know what? Let's just forget it, we'll never agree. Everything is perfect the way it is! Have a nice life!"

Mobius stared at her for a moment. Then he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Ravonna jumped at the sound of the door slamming and pulled out the check again. She looked at it, then slowly tore it in half and threw it in the wastepaper basket. Then she opened a desk drawer and took out a photograph.

It was a picture of the House on the Cliff under construction. Ravonna and Mobius looked about 7 or 8 years old and were holding hands.  Mobius was pointing at the house and smiling. She remembered that day, the orphanage had taken them on a field trip to the New Asgard forest and as usual, Mobius and Ravonna had slipped away and stumbled upon the house under construction.

At the time the picture was taken, Mobius was telling her that one day he would move back here. This is where they had decided that they would work together one day, that they would make plenty of money to come back and live in this house. Stupid childhood dream. An utopia.

Ravonna looked at the picture for a moment, started to throw it in the wastebasket, then decided not to and put it back in the drawer.

An Autumn Afternoon - 2019

Mobius had taken Croki to the veterinarian for a regular check-up and had taken the opportunity to pass by Sylvie's store, to see if she had any old daggers. Maybe he would find something to send to Loki. Although offering a blade seemed a little weird for him. But after all, their relationship itself was weird.

They were going through some daggers that Sylvie had selected, the young woman a little too close for his liking.

He had well noticed that she often tried to attract his attention, but Mobius was not interested at all. He just didn't know how to tell her without hurting her feelings.

"Mobius..."

"Yes Sylvie."

"You told me you were here with Croki, your alligator, didn't you?"

"Uh yes, he's in his crate, in the trailer of the pickup."

"So that can't be him I just saw running past the store then?"

"What?" Mobius ran over and said as he drove away, "How many people do you think are driving around with an alligator in their car?!"

He looked to the right and then to the left, and saw Croki disappear around the corner.

"Croki!"

Mobius shouted but the alligator didn't stop, Mobius ran after him, vaguely aware that he was being followed by Sylvie.

He chased Croki into a nearby residential street. Croki was really fast. Mobius swore and speeded up his pace.

Croki snuck through someone's garden and Mobius was still chasing him. They arrived at a house where Croki seemed to have stopped. Finally.

In front of it, a woman was unloading the trunk of her car and was watching Croki with a slightly frightened eye. Mobius managed to walk up and grab Croki.

"There you are, you rascal. What's gotten into you?" Then turning to the woman who looked familiar but whom he didn't think he knew, he added, "I'm sorry, this is the first time he's run away like this. He's never done this before. But he's harmless, don't worry."

The woman asked him with a curious look, "What's his name?"

"Croki."

She walked over and bent down to Croki, "Hi, Croki. I should get one like you for my boyfriend.He loves animals and especially anything reptilian."

Mobius noticed how much the young woman had to unload, there were many cases of wine and offered, "Do you want help with that? To apologize for the inconvenience caused by Croki."

She shook her head, "Oh no, I have time. Besides, you're already loaded" she replied, pointing to Croki in Mobius' arms before continuing, "in case you're wondering, I don't intend to drink all this alone."

The young woman is very talkative and Mobius listens politely.

"I'm a real estate agent, and you, do you live around here?"

"I have a house on the cliff above the lake in New Asgard."

"Really?"

They were joined by Sylvie, out of breath.

"Thank God! You've found him!"

The young woman greeted Sylvie with a nod.

"Hi, I'm Sigyn."

Then she continued, turning to Mobius, "Concerning the wine cases, I'm having some high school friends and neighbors over tonight. You're both welcome to come if you feel like it. It's always nice to have new faces."

Mobius and Sylvie exchanged a look.

Sylvie replied, "Thanks. We have plans."

Mobius wondered what plan they were supposed to have, and what was sure was that he had only one plan, to go home, see if Loki had written to him and write to him. Alone.

Sigyn shrugged and replied, "No problem. It was nice to meet you anyway. See you later maybe, Croki. Oh, hey, Mobius..."

Sigyn reached into her pocket. "Here's my business card, I could look into renting a place on the lake myself. If you hear of anything, let me know."

"Will do."

"Thank you. That would be very helpful. I love this house, but my boyfriend doesn't. You know how it is."

"No worries." replied Mobius starting to leave, he inwardly ranted, wondering how he managed to stumble upon the chattiest women on earth, when Sigyn added, "I promised him a view of the lake if he moved in with me after art college."

Mobius paused.

"He's in art college?"

"Yes in Brooklyn, he wants to be a professor of literature and is majoring in Norse mythology. He visits here on weekends."

Mobius froze and realized that Sigyn was the one he had seen with Loki on the station platform and that Loki had kissed.

Sigyn continued, not noticing Mobius's confusion, "He's coming tonight, a little later, actually. That's why I'm having this little party."

Under Sylvie's exasperated gaze, Mobius inquired, "What time does it start?"

The same evening - 2021

Loki went out after work, tired, and started to head home. When suddenly he changed his mind and stopped to turn around. After a few detours, he found himself where he wanted to go, "THE BIFROST", the bar where the other professors had wanted to take him on his first day.

The place was almost empty. Loki went to the bar and sat down, looking gloomy and ordered a glass of white wine.

At the same time - 2019

When Mobius and Sylvia arrived at Sigyn's house, the party was already well advanced inside and there were many cars parked in the driveway and on the street.

As they entered, Sylvia turned to Mobius with a pouty face, "This better be good. I had something else planned for us."

Mobius rolled his eyes, because he had never intended to spend the evening with her in the first place anyway.

In the hallway, Sigyn was among her friends and neighbors, talking and laughing.

She came over to Mobius and Sylvie as soon as she saw them, "Hey! Glad you could make it. The bar..." she emphasized the word with quotes in the air, "is in the kitchen..."

They moved around greeting people here and there, Mobius looking for Loki with his eyes, Sylvie then gave him a look and asked in an acid tone, "Why are we here?".

Mobius pretended not to have heard her, the noisy discussions around them giving him a good excuse.

They ended up sitting on the couch next to a couple in their thirties. They exchanged greetings and chatted, Mobius half-listening, wondering again where Loki was.

Same time - 2021

When Loki was halfway through his drink, someone came and sat next to him. Surprised, he saw that it was Thor who ordered a drink before turning to him and saying with the smile that was his, "According to most social norms, a person shouldn't drink alone after 10 p.m. unless they have a good excuse. What's yours?"

Loki shrugged.

"I don't have one."

"I do. My fiancée just left for six months for her research. She's an astrophysicist, and we won't be able to see each other for that long."

"Tough." replied Loki, "And your relationship will put up with that?"

"Of course!" replied Thor, "It's not the first time, and luckily there's facetime and stuff." He pointed to Loki's glass before adding, "I see your glass is empty, do you want another one? My treat."

Loki nodded, "Yeah."

Thor ordered and two minutes later their drinks arrived.

After a moment of silence, Loki said quietly, "Actually, I have an excuse to drink alone after 10pm."

Same time - 2019

Mobius and Sylvie were still on the couch with the thirty-something couple. Mobius was honestly getting bored and apparently so was Sylvie, because she turned slightly to Mobius and whispered from the corner of her mouth, "Go get our coats."

Mobius stood up and excused himself, before going in search of the coats.

Just as he was about to reach the coat racks, he saw Sigyn, who was looking out the window, suddenly turning around and saying rather loudly, "Okay, everyone!  It's time!"

She switched off all the lights in the room and everyone fell silent.

Mobius saw a figure appear behind the glass door. The door slowly opened and he heard Loki's voice for the first time, "Hello?"

Sigyn abruptly turned on the lights and everyone started shouting "Surprise!" and "Happy Birthday!"

Someone brought in a cake with lit candles on it.

Loki looked stunned as Sigyn threw herself into his arms and kissed him full on the lips while Mobius could do nothing but watch.

__________

Will Loki and Mobius finally meet?

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 (End)

[myhockeyworld87]

Bubble Wrapped - Part 7

Word Count: 4,131

POV: Reader

Warnings: Same as always, Language, Smut, NSFW, Please see the note in the Masterlist

Teams: Bruins, Caps, Flyers, Lightning and Pens (others)

Notes: So today was like crazy busy, but I was able to finish this tonight then do a quick edit. I’m not sure how I feel about it, but here it is anyhow...haha! Hope you guys have a great weekend! Happy Reading!

As you followed Logan to the lobby, you thought for sure this was going to be another false alarm, just as the rest had been. Why after all this time in the bubble had these men decided to fight, you had no idea? You knew tensions were high with games starting but they all had seemed fairly cordial with each other. There were about a dozen players gathered round when you saw the first fist fly and suddenly your heart rate sped up. You wormed your way to the front, to see who the hell was fighting. You weren't surprised to see Brad Marchand mixing it up with one of the Flyers but you couldn't quite tell who it was as their back was to you.

 The two teams had just come off a round-robin game, that you had no clue as to who won as you'd been busy working the entire time and not caught any of the game, but it obviously left a bad taste in their mouths. As Marchand swung with his right hand, the two twisted and it was then that you saw Travis Konecny was the one he was fighting with. While you knew that TK was a bit of a chirper, you'd seen a completely different side to him that first night in the bubble. You'd honestly thought he'd be the least of your worries here, other than maybe calling you up again to say his bed squeaked, yet here you were watching him take a jab at Marchand. Not that Marchand probably didn't deserve it, hell you wanted to take a swing at him the other day when he'd shoved you into the pool.

 You looked around at the other players that had gathered hoping one of them would put an end to this whole mess, but they seemed more entertained than anything. Part of you wondered if this went on would more of them end up fighting? TK had a nice right hook into Marchand's jaw and you saw them stumble back knocking a vase of flowers off the entry table and shattering it. That's when you knew you had to do something. "That's enough boys," you yelled trying to use your most authoritative voice, but it was ignored as Marchand threw a punch to Konecny's abdomen. At some point, you were sure this was going to turn into a wrestling match with the two of them lying on the ground amidst shards of glass. You gave a sharp whistle hoping that you sounded like one of the refs during play and that they would at least calm a bit, which they did. It was at that moment you chose to try and break the actual fight up, apparently feeling more like a referee now that you'd got them to just circle each other, neither one letting go just yet.  Taking your arms, you moved between the two hotheads saying, "I said stop fucking fighting in my…" You weren't exactly sure what happened next but you felt a partial fist fly to your jaw. It knocked you off your feet and sent you stumbling back hitting your head against the table the vase had been on moments ago.

 "Holy fuck!" Someone yelled. You closed your eyes to stave off the pain that was now not only in your jaw but also on the back of your head. "Jesus, are you ok?"

 "I don't think she is."

 "She's bleeding."

 You had no clue who was saying what but you could feel a million pairs of eyes on you. "Someone call one of the trainers."

 "I'm fine," you managed to mumble out while opening your eyes, only to have your vision blurred by blood trickling down. "Ok, maybe not." About five players were kneeling down around you, or maybe it was four, it was hard to tell as the blood obscured your view. Finally, someone gently pressed something against your forehead to stave off the flow.

 "Fuck (Y/N), I'm so sorry, you got messed up in this." It was Travis's voice you were sure of it and not because you knew Marchand would never apologize but because you recognized it from your night with him. Only he wasn't surrounding you at the moment.

 "Next time keep it on the ice and not in my hotel." You went to sit up but felt a little woozy. A strong arm clamped around your waist. It was the same person who was holding, what you now believed to be said person's shirt, against your head.

 "I think we need to get you somewhere else then this lobby." The voice was smooth and rich, and pleasing to listen to, yet every time you tried to see who it belonged the damn t-shirt was in your way.

 "You can take her to her suite." This voice you knew, for you'd been plotting to strangle him so many times over the last several days, it was hard to forget.

 "Thanks, Logan, I was just going to say that."

 "Here hold this and I'll carry you." In one easy swoop, strong arms scooped you up, and then he was standing with you in his arms. He was shirtless and you could feel his muscles bunch as he held you. Vaguely you realized where his shirt was at, as you held it to your head.

 "Logan, can you clean this up, please? And have Carly get new flowers in here." You saw him scurry away out of the corner of your left eye.

 "I'm sure there's someone in charge here that can take care of that." The man who was now carrying you off to the elevator said.

 "Yeah, that's me," you told him catching a glimpse of soft brown curls as you again tried to get a good look at his face.

 "Oh, I didn't realize." Which seemed funny considering how everyone at the hotel seemed to know who you were.  "What floor?"

 "Penthouse."

 "Well, I guess you are in charge then." He laughed and you found yourself joining in, even though your head hurt a bit. The ride on the elevator was short and soon you were in your room and he was setting you down on the sofa. "I'll grab you some ice if you steer me in the right direction."

 "Kitchen is down the hall on the left." He turned and you got a view of his well-defined ass as he walked away. God, even the muscles on his back were sexy. You heard him rummage around a bit and you wondered how bad you actually looked. You were too far away from the hallway mirror to find out, but you imagined you had blood in your hair from the cut; you just hoped your jaw wasn't sporting a nice bruise. It was then, that he walked out of the kitchen and you were finally face to...well somewhat face to face, with your rescuer, Josh Anderson. It was no wonder that he didn't know you, as he wasn't currently staying at your hotel. "Now, let's see that pretty face of yours," he said while cupping the good side of your jaw. "I don't think it'll bruise too bad. Didn't look like Marchy got you full force with that hit." Josh gingerly put the ice to the spot that had been hit.

 "I should've figured it was Marchand that hit me. He's had it out for me since he got here."

 "Marchy has it out for everyone, but I can't see why he would pick on someone as beautiful as you." The compliment caused you to blush, but thankfully between Josh's shirt and the ice, you didn't think he'd notice.

 "Not sure what I ever did to him, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't like me."

 "Well, his loss is my gain." It was Josh who was blushing a bit at his own words this time and you found it very attractive. "Now, let's have a look at that cut and see if it needs stitches." He brought his shirt down and examined your head. His lips just a hair's breadth away from yours making you ache to kiss him. "I think you'll be good with just some butterfly ones. It doesn't look that deep, though I can call our trainer and have him come over and double-check."

 "No that's ok. I'm sure your right. I have some upstairs." You went to get up and he placed a supporting arm around your waist.

 "Here why don't you just let me…" Before you could even take a step, he scooped you back up into his arms and started up the stairs, taking them two at a time. He made it seem like carrying you around was nothing, and honestly, it was sexy as hell. He set you down at the vanity stool in the bathroom. "Ok, so where are bandages?"

 "Top shelf there is a medical kit with some in." He grabbed it, shuffling through it to find what he needed. "This might sting a bit," he told you as he opened up an alcohol swab to clean the cut first. You winced as he gently stroked it over the wound. When he stepped back, you finally looked in the mirror at yourself.

 "Oh my god," the words were out of your mouth before you realized how they startled Josh.

 "Are you ok? Did I hurt you more?"

 "No, it's not that. I was just looking at my face…or maybe my hair." Dried blood covered half of your face and your hair was matted and tangled like a stray dog's. "I look like I walked out of the set of a horror movie."

 He laughed, brushing your hair back before placing the steri strip on your forehead. "It's not that bad."

 "I seriously need a shower."

 "Oh…uh…" Josh fumbled around with his words, looking very uncomfortable and you sort of chuckled to yourself. "I can leave you alone then…probably should be going anyway."

 "You don't have to," you mentioned casually, though you weren't sure that he would take you up on your silent offer with the way you looked at the moment. "I mean, I'm still a little unsteady on my feet." There wasn't a whole lot you knew about Josh Anderson but what you did know of him, was that he was the protector type; so you tried to play to that sensibility of his.

 "Well, I wouldn't want you to fall in the shower and get hurt worse." There was a cute little smirk on his face and if you weren't doused in blood you would've kissed him. Instead, you stripped off your top, yet another piece of clothing ruined, you thought vaguely. Your skirt and shoes followed till you were left in nothing but your bra and panties. Josh made quick work of getting rid of his shorts and stood there in front of you in his boxer briefs. Reaching around you unclasp your bra, letting it fall off your shoulders and to the ground, before gliding your panties down your legs. Josh bit his lip as he drank in the sight of your body; his eyes lingered a bit long at your breasts before moving down to look at your pussy. Even though he still had his boxers on, you saw his cock twitch as he took you in. You let him drink his fill and when he didn't make a move, you stepped into the shower hoping that he would follow. He did within seconds.

 The water sprayed over your head diluting the blood that had been matted to your hair and skin. When you went to grab the shampoo, Josh's hand stopped you. "Let me." He put some in his hands, then started to massage it into your scalp. His fingers were gentle and he avoided your cut as best he could, sliding through your hair all the way down to the ends. When he was done, he had you rinse then followed up with conditioner. It was only as that rinsed out of your long strands that you finally turned to face him. Droplets of water coated his body, and there was a heated stare in his gaze. Josh was tall, so you went up on your toes so that you could kiss him. His arms immediately went to your waist to press you to him. Maybe it was his caring nature or the way that he'd just simply swooped in to take care of you, but your body just completely melted into him and you moaned into him as his tongue caressed yours. Josh was a sensual kisser; his mouth and tongue just working its magic on you as he ignited a flame deep within.

 His hands roamed around your back only to slide up your sides and move to your breast. Breaking the kiss, his lips traveled southward along your neck and collarbone until he was cupping a breast and bringing it to his lips. His tongue swirled around your nipple before he took it in his mouth and sucked on it. You felt yourself grow damp though it wasn't from the water cascading down on the two of you. Josh lavished each of your breasts, and with every tweak and caress you moaned out his name. When his fingers skated down past your stomach to slip between your folds, you thought you would die from the pleasure he was giving you. It was nothing like the other night with Tom. Josh knew exactly what he was doing. Listening as you moaned out what you liked, so he could repeat the action again. "I want to taste you so bad," he whispered, before dropping to his knees. You backed up against the shower wall, and he lifted one of your legs over his shoulder. His tongue slipped out to lick a strip between your folds, and you found your hands threading into his hair to urge him on. They were small little licks at first before he actually sunk his tongue deep in your pussy. You tossed your head back forgetting about your injury, but not caring when he repeated the action. His nose nudged your clit as he licked at you furiously. Your hips started to buck and one strong arm, held you upright and secure against the wall, as his mouth suctioned on to your clit.

 "Yes Josh, fuck that feels so good." You panted out, as your hand locked around the back of his head. He slid two fingers into your pussy easily, pumping them in and out, while he continued his torturous treatment on your clit. Your orgasm hit as he made that simple come-hither movement with his fingers. Your legs shaking, body writhing as the pleasure overtook you. He dropped your leg back down when you finally came down from your high. Moving gracefully off the bathroom tile, Josh stood up and kissed you. Your essence still lingering there on his lips, as his cock pressed hard against your stomach.

 Reaching down you clasp your hand around the length of him; twisting your hand as you stroked him, in a way that had him hissing out his pleasure. "Fuck (Y/N), I just need to be in you." He moaned out. "It's been way too long." He drew your leg up again to wrap around his waist this time, allowing him easier access to the place he longed to be. His cock nudged between your folds, the head just inside you. Josh was thick and as he slowly slipped inside you; you could feel your pussy stretch to accommodate him. "Damn you're tight." You weren't sure if that was the case or if he was just so big, but you knew he felt delicious as he bottomed out. He took a minute, just looking you in the eyes as he stayed buried deep inside you.

 In the next second, his lips were on yours and he started to move. His tongue mimicking what his cock was doing, as he thrust in and out of you. You were simply two bodies sliding together as the water pelted down on you. Josh pinned you to the shower wall again, his strong arms biting into your waist and you thought you'd have bruises there but you knew he was also keeping you from falling down to the tiles. You looped your arms around his shoulders, so your hips could meet each of his thrusts. The water caused your leg to slip off his hip. "Josh…" you panted out.

 "I know," he hissed and he was pulling out of you so that you both could be more comfortable. He twisted your body so that your back rested against his chest for a moment before, bending you down. You spread your legs wide giving him greater access to your cunt so he could glide back in. Using the bench seat, you placed your hands there to hold on as Josh grabbed ahold of your hips before thrusting back in. Moans echoed off the bathroom walls as your bodies slammed together. "Fuck, yeah baby," Josh groaned as you pushed your ass back against him.

 His hand on your hip, snaked down so his finger could rub circles around your clit. "Yes…Josh…yes." He had you teetering on the edge in no time. It was when his other hand drew you halfway up and his lips bit down on your neck that you completely lost it, cuming with a loud moan. Your legs shook and felt like they would give out but Josh held you close still pumping in and out of you as you came down from your high. He pounded in and out of you a few more times, before thrusting even deeper into you and spilling himself inside your pussy. A guttural moan left his mouth and his fingers dug deep into your hips holding you still as he came.

 He stayed inside you for a minute as he said, "Damn, I needed that." Dropping kisses on your shoulder, he slowly pulled out. "Thank you," he said softly, turning you around so he could once again capture your lips in a sweet kiss. "We should probably finish up." You knew he was right, though you were out of energy after two orgasms. Josh must have sensed this for he grabbed your loofah and the shower gel, and started to wash your body. His touch was gentle and he added more soap to his hands, abandoning the sponge as he washed your breasts and pussy. You couldn't help the moan that left your mouth as he touched you; your body still sensitive. "God, you are so sexy. I could…" He didn't finish the sentence.

 "You could what?"

 "You've already given me enough. Especially with this," his hand brushed the water off your forehead where your cut was. You'd completely forgotten about it. Your eyes dropped down to his cock, where you could see it coming back to life.

 "I'm fine Josh," you told him, looking him in the eye. "Though maybe we should get out of this shower."

 He chuckled lightly. "Agreed."

 He went to turn off the water and you stopped him. "Let me at least wash you a bit first." Josh eyed you funny considering he really wasn't the one that needed to shower. "Humor me." He shrugged and you grabbed the soap. The feel of his hard muscles under your soapy hands, made you tingle all over again. By the time you reached his cock, it was back to being erect. The suds made it easy to work your hand up and down the length. This time it was Josh that was moaning as you pumped him up and down.

 "Babe," his voice warned, as he gripped your wrist and you knew it was time to rinse off and continue this out from under the water. He grabbed a towel, wrapping it around his waist before taking another so that he could dry you off. His fingers were swift yet gentle as he made quick work of drying you, then did the same for himself. The two of you shared more soft kisses as you headed to the bedroom for round two, which was just as magical as it was in the shower. "I should probably head back to my hotel before I'm missed," Josh finally said as the two of you laid in bed.

 You hummed your agreement. "I forgot for a little bit that you're not staying here."

 "Well hopefully we'll get to move over here soon and maybe we could continue this." The idea of spending more time with Josh was definitely appealing and something that could be happening soon.

 "I'd like that," you told him as he kissed your lips one more time before crawling out of bed. "I'll walk you down."

 "You don't have to, but you should get some ice on that jaw." He tipped your head to the side and winced. "It's starting to bruise a bit."

 "Ugh, at least it doesn't hurt."

 "You're one tough cookie." He pulled on his boxers and shorts, while you grabbed a robe. "You know I'm not opposed to beating the shit out of Marchand for you."

 "Don't bother, he's not worth you getting into trouble."

 "Well, I'm sure he'll get his somehow," he gave you a little wink and you wondered what he was planning with that statement. "So this was fun…well except that part." He gently touched your bandaged head before kissing you. "See you soon?"

 "I sure hope so." With one last kiss, he left you alone, and you went to grab the ice he talked about earlier. Now that you were done having your fun with Josh, you realized your jaw did hurt a bit, but a couple of aspirin would help. You headed back upstairs to grab the meds, then laid back down on the bed, texting Carly to make sure everything was fine, which it was and she told you to take it easy.

 You were half asleep when your phone rang; a FaceTime call from Tyler popping up on the screen. "Hey Ty," you answered sleepily.

 "Hey…omg what happened to you?"

 In your half-asleep state, you'd forgotten about the bruise and cut on your face. "I stupidly tried to break up a fight. It didn't go well."

 "Jesus babe, are those stitches?" There was concerned laced in Tyler's voice, as well as a worried look on his face.

 "No just butterflies. I'm fine." The look he gave you said he thought you were lying. "I swear it's not that bad."

 "Who the hell was fighting? Better yet, who do I have to kill?" You winced, not really wanting to tell him. "(Y/N), I swear to god if you don't tell me…"

 You weren't sure what he was going to do if you didn't tell him, but there was also no point in hiding the truth. "It was TK and Marchand, though apparently, it was Marchy's fist that caught me."

 "That fucking son of bitch." His face was getting red with anger. "I'm gonna kill him."

 "Easy tiger," you tried to tease but you could tell he wasn't having any of it. He started to pace around the room. "What are you doing?"

 "Packing. I told you I'm going to beat the shit out of him."

 "Tyler, you're not a fighter." He finally stopped at your words.

 "I'll still beat him to within an inch of his life."

 "Oh, stop. I'm fine. And you're not coming here. You're in the damn bubble and not going anywhere on my behalf." Tyler had a tendency to overreact at times and this was one of them, though you'd never seen him this angry before. "With a little makeup, you won't even see it."

 "You can't stop me from calling him and bitching him out."

 "Well, if it gets him to settle down in my hotel, I'll gladly take the help." It would be nice not having to worry about being thrown in the pool again or him starting up fights with another player. "But enough about that, tell me about your day?" The two of you chatted for over an hour, Tyler never once hinting about anything sexual happening, which surprised you a bit. It was nice though just talking about everything and anything with him. You always had this easy banter with him, but this just felt different. "Hey, I have another call coming in. Can I call you later?"

 "You can call me anytime babe. Feel better." He kissed you over the phone and you did the same for him before hanging up.

 You didn't recognize the number, but said hello anyhow only to be met with, "Hey (Y/N), I need your help?"

[laurenairay]

4 with Nolan Patrick please!

Thanks anon! I hope you like this one, I had fun writing for Patty!

“I can’t keep playing pretend.”

*

There were pros and cons to being Nolan Patrick’s childhood best friend. One pro was that you could tell him anything and he would never tell anyone. One con was that he was tall enough to hide your favourite cookies on the top shelf that you couldn’t reach when he was feeling like a petty bitch. One pro was that his sweaters were super comfy. One con was that his sweatpants looked ridiculous on you. One pro was that he was insanely talented and you were so proud of him. One con was that you barely got to see him other than over facetime or video call (and his migraine disorder had severely limited that this year).

One pro was that he was the ultimate hype man, always making you feel good about yourself.

One con was that you’d been in love with him since you realised what falling in love was.

One pro was that he was always far enough away that you didn’t just blurt out your feelings to him.

One con was that you couldn’t say no when he asked you to visit during your college break.

You’d missed him so much – so SO much – so when he offered to fly you down to stay with him (ie. with him and Kevin) for a week after your exams finished, you took him up on the chance immediately. You’d only been visiting for a couple of days, but it was amazing to be able to spend time with him again, seeing him in his element, seeing this other hockey side of him. Philly Nolan was definitely different from Winnipeg Nolan, that was for sure.

This morning though, this morning Nolan had been acting strangely. You had only been making breakfast for them as a thank you in your pyjamas (just an old tshirt with some shorts), when Nolan and Kevin had walked in from practice…and Nolan had headed straight upstairs with a mumbled excuse that even you couldn’t interpret. But all Kevin had said was that it had been a hard practice and Nolan had wanted to get out of his funk before the get together they were having that night.

Luckily it wasn’t a raging party, more of a ‘Kevin ordered a bunch of catered food and a few cases of beer’ kind of night – which was much more your kind of thing anyway. There was music playing, a bunch of the guys were playing video games, and you were enjoying yourself…even if Nolan was still being weird. Not as standoffish as earlier, thank god, but still not quite right.

That wasn’t going to ruin your evening though – you’d give him one night to be stranger than usual, and after that, he was getting a full confrontation. End of.

But right now, you needed a new beer, so you headed to the kitchen.

“I don’t know if I can do this anymore,”

You paused at the sound of Nolan’s voice around the corner. You paused because he sounded so sad. Your cool as a cucumber friend, effortlessly chill, king of the blank expression…sounded emotionally exhausted? What the hell?

“Do what, Patty?”

TK. Okay, good solid TK. What is going on?!

“I can’t keep playing pretend,” Nolan sighed, “it’s exhausting and I’m fucking sick of it,”

“Dude, just tell her. It’s like G said to you at practice, the two of you together just makes sense,”

Nolan scoffed. You could imagine the eye roll from here. “What, am I supposed to just go up to her and say hey by the way I like you? I don’t think so!”

Nolan likes a girl. Oh wow. That…that hurt more than you thought it would. And he was nervous to tell her? Any girl would be lucky to have him! Even if it wasn’t you…of course you would always support him being happy. Especially if he was this worked up about it. Even if it broke your heart.

“Bud, Patty, seriously, I think you should go for it,” Travis said firmly.

“I can’t,” Nolan said gruffly.

“So you’re just going to mope about it and be an asshole to her instead?” TK scoffed.

“I’m not an asshole,” Nolan muttered.

“Pretty sure asshole is your middle name actually,” TK snorted.

You just bit your bottom lip, more confused than ever. Why would Nolan be an asshole to the girl he liked?

“Oh just fuck off Teeks,” Nolan snapped.

But TK just laughed, and you could imagine the smirk he had on his face too. “Nah, bud, I’m not going anywhere. Kev said you were an asshole earlier and she doesn’t deserve that,”

“Of course she doesn’t deserve it. But I’m not going to lose her by talking to her,”

“The way you’re going, you’re going to lose her by not talking to her,” TK shot back.

Something was tingling in your head, but you were too afraid to move, too enraptured in the moment. It was like you were frozen, and if you moved then this bubble would burst. Nolan was willingly talking about his feelings – you weren’t going to stop him now!

“Then what am I supposed to do?!” Nolan said, exasperated, “If I tell Y/N that I’m in love with her, then that’s the end of our friendship!”

Oh.

Oh.

Oh god.

You’re the girl they’re talking about? You’re the girl that Nolan likes?

Oh fuck.

You didn’t hear what TK said in response, your head buzzing with white noise, but all you could feel was hope. This was it, this was what you’d been waiting, hoping, praying to hear for so long…and multiple people knew how he felt about you?

The only thing you could do was to walk around the corner, calling out his name softly. You didn’t know what expression you had on your face, but after they’d unfrozen, TK was smiling and Nolan looked terrified.

“I think I’ll leave you two to talk,” TK grinned.

“Teeks…”

“You’ve got this, bud,” TK interrupted, patting Nolan on the arm.

And then there were two.

“How much of that did you hear?” Nolan asked, cheeks flushed and eyes desperate.

“Enough,” you murmured, “were you ever going to tell me?”

Nolan sighed, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck awkwardly. “Probably not?”

Typical. You bit your lip briefly, blushing slightly as you noticed Nolan’s eyes tracking the movement. Could you really…

Yeah, you could tell him. What was there to lose, now you know how he feels?

“So you were just going to mope in silence, not knowing that I love you too?” you said softly.

Nolan’s jaw dropped slightly, his cheeks flaring in that beautiful blush again, making you smile. Come on…say something…

“You love me too?” he eventually said, his voice a little shaky.

“Yeah, Nols, I’ve loved you for so long,” you nodded shyly, “kinda didn’t think I’d ever have a chance with you, to be honest. I’m just the girl from back home, you know? But hearing you and TK talk, it broke my heart…and then I found out you were talking about me? I couldn’t not say something,”

“Oh fuck,” Nolan groaned.

You didn’t have time to ask him what was wrong before he lunged forward and pressed his lips to yours. Oh fuck indeed. You whimpered against his lips, kissing him back, hands clutching as his sweater, body lighting up as Nolan’s travelled everywhere, your hips, your waist, your shoulders, your ass, his tongue sliding against yours in a way that made you giddy. Holy shit. Holy shit.

“Nolan, Nolan, wait,” you murmured, trying to slow down the kisses.

Nolan groaned, kissing you firmly one last time before he pulled away. “Too much?”

“Not too much,” you said softly, smiling, “But maybe a little intense for a first kiss when we still need to talk,”

Nolan groaned, making you laugh. “You know I hate talking,” he mumbled, resting his forehead against yours.

You grinned, leaning your head up to kiss him softly again, letting the kiss linger until he sighed against your lips. “But look where talking has gotten us so far,”

“Yeah, alright, you win,” Nolan admitted.

Then Nolan’s face spread into a shy smile, making you smile back at him. This was going to be so good. And you couldn’t wait.

[hisbluejeanbaby]

"Oh, I Plan To"

This is my first ever Tarlos fic and first time writing in 3 years so bear with me

-------------------------------------------------------

It should be illegal.

That's TK's first thought when he looks across the gym to where his achingly gorgeous boyfriend is dead-lifting. He can't help watching the way his muscles gleam with sweat under the fluorescent lighting of the studio.

TK bites his bottom lip subconsciously, unaware he's doing it until he feels a sting a couple seconds later.

"Shit," he hisses, putting his hand up against his lip to feel for any blood. When his finger comes away clean, he sneaks another glance at his boyfriend, who's just finishing up his last rep.

Carlos gently places the bar down at his feet, lifting up the bottom of his shirt to wipe his forehead. TK's eyes almost fall out of his head as they land on the sculpted eight pack in his direct line of sight. He's seen his boyfriend's body a hundred times but the rush he feels every time never eases. TK is constantly in awe of this man's physical perfection, almost as much as he is constantly amazed at how he's able to call such a caring and intelligent man his.

Carlos chooses that minute to direct his attention over to TK's corner of the gym. He immediately notices a pair of bright green eyes, which quickly divert back to the machine their owner is currently sat at when he realises he's been caught staring.

Carlos smirks at TK as he hurriedly tries to look busy. But that smirk quickly falls when Carlos starts noticing how his partner looks working against the machine. How is he so lucky to have landed such an incredible man, emotionally and physically? The way his arms move back and forth have Carlos sweating even more than he already is.

TK is purposely trying to focus on a spot on the carpet, knowing full well he's been caught in the act of admiring his God-like boyfriend. But he can't shake the fact that Carlos is still looking his way. He spares a glance up, expecting his boyfriend to have moved onto another station in the room, and instead locks onto a pair of piercing brown eyes. They simply stare each other down for a few seconds, neither one moving, before Carlos slowly begins to smirk again, this time in acknowledgement of being the one caught looking over appreciatively.

TK knows the effect he's having on his significant other, because Carlos himself is having the exact same effect over him. Even after 6 months of dating, the honeymoon period well behind them, they still have a burning passion for each other that they both know isn't going anywhere any time soon.

Laughing under his breath and without breaking eye contact, TK pushes himself back into position and begins on the chest press again, his arms flexing back and forth, sweat trickling down his arms. Carlos is stood stationary, the bar long forgotten at his feet as he watches his boyfriend, his eyes hazing over.

TK winks over teasingly, causing Carlos to subconsciously swallow, all of a sudden feeling nervous, and increasingly exhilarated.

TK sees the sudden glint in Carlos' eyes, not fully knowing what he has just gotten himself into.

With a last appreciative glance, Carlos picks up the weights and bar on the floor, hastily putting them back in their proper spot. He then takes a quick survey around the gym, trying to decide which machine will serve his purpose. He then decides on the tricep pull. It's one of the only machines free at the moment and conveniently is in TK's direct eye line.

Carlos struts over to the machine, making sure to put extra emphasis in his hips as he can feel TK's prying eyes on his body.

With his back to TK, Carlos laughs lightly, loving the fact his boyfriend can't look away from him.

He quickly preps the machine, locking in the weight and adjusting the length of the ropes. He then begins pulling the two small ropes towards his hips, going even more painstakingly slow than usual. He makes sure to flex his upper arms as much as possible in the process, while doing his personal best to not sneak a peek over at TK.

TK immediately understands what's going on once Carlos begins on the machine. If he wants to start a war, then a war he's got.

TK stands up from the chest press, hastily wiping it down before scanning the nearby machines for one that will fit his purpose. He immediately locks onto the pull up bar, knowing it will drive the other man crazy.

With a final (and albeit longing) gaze over at his boyfriend on the tricep machine, he quickly shakes his head clear before making a beeline for the pull up bar. He can't afford to get even more distracted by the gorgeous man in the corner.

He jumps up onto the bar, which is stationed only two metres away from where Carlos is currently training. He is purposely staring out the window trying to avoid looking over at him, TK notices with a smirk on his face.

"Maybe try fixing your attention on something else," TK calls over, cheekily trying to draw Carlos' attention. It definitely works as Carlos seems to whip his head in TK's direction at record speed. Before TK can lose his newfound audience, he begins continuously pulling himself up over the bar, feeling his boyfriend's appreciative eyes on him the whole time.

TK completes fifteen reps before dropping down to give his arms a rest. He's panting lightly by the time he looks over to gauge Carlos' reaction. And judging by the other man's face, TK's done the job. Carlos has stopped pulling against the tricep machine, his arms hanging limply at his sides while he hungrily drinks TK in, raking his eyes up and down his body.

TK's breathing gets even shallower upon noticing the glint in Carlos' eyes. But this isn't over yet and he knows it.

Carlos chooses that moment to slowly approach TK, prowling as if he were stalking his prey, neither man daring to break eye contact.

Just as TK thinks Carlos is going to reach out and grab him, he brushes past TK, his voice dropping an octave as he quietly replies in TK's ear, "oh, I plan to," before making his way onto the nearest treadmill, never once breaking eye contact.

Carlos starts up the treadmill, immediately starting into a light jog. They're both coming to the end of their sessions and TK knows he has one more chance to make a lasting impression on his other half.

TK breaks the eye contact with Carlos, knowing full well the man is keeping to his promise in not taking his eyes off his form.

TK walks over to the dumbbells, picking up a set and facing the mirror at the back of the room. The treadmills all face the mirror so TK is able to immediately lock his eyes back on Carlos in the reflection.

But TK almost drops the weights at this point.

In those few seconds between walking over and grabbing the weights, Carlos has stripped his shirt and is now running at a firm jog, with beads of sweat running down his bare upper chest.

TK's eyes rake over his entire body until they come back up to meet Carlos' own gleaming brown ones. Carlos knows the effect this is having on TK and he can't help the small laugh that escapes him as he watches TK in the mirror.

TK faces the mirror and begins aggressively curling the weights, his face shifting into a stone cold mask as he stares Carlos down, not wanting to give anything away. Carlos' eyes slip down to his boyfriend's frame, watching appreciatively from behind as TK works his upper arms.

After another minute of sneakily raking their eyes over each other's bodies, TK can't take it anymore. He's bursting at the seam with lust and he can't wait a second longer.

TK slams down the weights on the shelf, spinning around to face his boyfriend. It seems Carlos has the same idea as he steps off the treadmill at the same moment.

Both men start pacing towards each other, unable to deny their want any longer. But they know they're in a public place, unable to act too heavily on their overwhelming desires.

When they're both within a few feet of each other, TK drops his voice so that only Carlos can hear.

"No fair, you stripping down like that," he chides, faking annoyance.

Carlos sneaks a glance at his partner's lips before moving his eyes back up to TK's. He can see desire circling rapidly in the other man's green orbs and knows his own can't be far off.

"Well, I had to get your attention somehow," he responds, pushing as much lust into his words as possible. TK licks his bottom lip, Carlos tracking the brief movement and using it as a greenlight to take a small step forward. They're now almost chest to chest.

The gym has cleared significantly by now but there are still a few people milling around on various machines. Though none of them are paying any attention to the two men who are almost fully hidden behind one of the central pillars in the large studio.

"I don't know if you noticed, but you've had my attention for some time now," TK whispers back, angling his head so that his mouth is almost against Carlos' ear.

Carlos closes his eyes and lets out a low breath, itching to reach out and push TK so that he's trapped between himself and the wall.

"Likewise."

This word seems to trigger something in both men. TK growls lowly and immediately pulls his head back to look directly into Carlos' eyes.

"Show me then," TK breathes. And that's all it takes for Carlos to immediately reach his hands out and grab TK's hips, pulling them against his own.

A gasp escapes TK's mouth but it's smothered by Carlos' own. He hungrily pushes his lips against TK's, letting the desire that's been pooling over the last hour finally come crashing down over them.

TK's hands immediately grip onto Carlos' biceps, palming at the toned muscle. He can't drink him in fast enough, pulling Carlos as close as physically possible.

Carlos stumbles slightly and pushes TK roughly against the pillar, their lips never once breaking.

The two of them are all lips and hands, running greedily over each other's bodies, slick with sweat and desire. It was amazing how after all this time, both men still had the same fire for each other as they did when they first met.

After a few more seconds of rough kisses and panting breaths, Carlos reluctantly pulls back, leaning his forehead against TK's.

"I think we should head home," he mumbles, his voice husky and thick with want.

"Two workouts in one day?" TK laughs quietly, "I should distract you at the gym more often."

[bellakitse]

Point of Comfort

“Babe, please,” Carlos tries patiently. He tugs on TK’s hair until he moves, turning on his back to look up at Carlos as he rests his head on his legs. “Talk to me.”

+

Escaping his parents’ latest drama, TK goes to the one person that brings him peace.

Written for Day One of Tarlos Corazonados Weekend- “Babe, please, sharing is caring.” @tarlos-valentine

Spoilers for the Owen-Gwyneth reveal of 2.04

*Mentions of TK’s canon-based childhood neglect and Owen/Gwyneth not so great parenting skills.*

Carlos Reyes has his feet up and music playing as he reads the latest paperback on his reading list when his front door is unlocked and in walks his boyfriend. He takes him in, his heart skipping a beat the way it always does when he looks at TK.

He’s dressed in his usual comfortable combo of sweats and a light-weight hoodie, and he’s absolutely gorgeous. It’s a constant source of awe for Carlos just how beautiful TK Strand is, even when he’s frowning like he is now.

“Um, hi?” he questions, both because TK had told him earlier that he was going back home for dinner with his parents, probably spending the night there, and because of the sour expression on his face.

TK grunts a hello in his direction, kicking his shoes off before he makes a beeline for him. He throws himself sideways on the couch Carlos is currently occupying, batting his hands out of the way as he wraps his arms around Carlos’ waist, pressing his face into his stomach before letting out a muffled scream.

Carlos raises an eyebrow at the action; he bends a corner of his book to mark the page he’s stopped at before placing it on the side table. “I take it dinner went well,” he says dryly as he runs his hand through TK’s hair, pressing down on that special spot behind his ear that always makes TK gasp.

TK retaliates by biting him through his shirt, and Carlos shakes with silent laughter at the childish action. Only TK can make bratty behavior cute. It’s either that, or that Carlos is so far gone on him that he finds everything he does adorable.

He keeps scratching TK’s scalp, feeling his body start to lose the tension he’s carrying. “Are you gonna tell me what happened?”

TK shakes his head, not bothering to move his face from Carlos’ mid-section.

“Babe, please,” Carlos tries patiently. He tugs on TK’s hair until he moves, turning on his back to look up at Carlos as he rests his head on his legs. “Talk to me. Sharing is caring after all,” he continues jokingly, pleased when TK lets out a reluctant huff of amusement at his words.

“They’re just being so annoying, bickering nonstop over the baby,” he says tiredly, and Carlos feels a wave of sympathy for his boyfriend. The news that Owen and Gwyn were expecting had been a shock to everyone, but no one more than TK. Since the moment they announced it, Carlos has watched TK carefully, seeing time and time again conflicting feelings play across his features.

“The kid isn’t even born yet, and they’re already arguing,” TK continues, the frustration in his voice loud and clear. “Which would be fine if it was just me,” he rolls his eyes. “I’m used to them, but this baby doesn’t need that shit. They’re falling into familiar patterns, and they can’t even see it. I just don’t know how to fix it,” he finishes helplessly.

Carlos stays quiet for a moment, trying to figure out how to address multiple points in TK’s comments. He starts with the last one first. “Well, first of all, it’s not your job to fix it,” he tells him, giving him a serious nod to emphasize his point when TK looks up at him with wide eyes. “It’s just not, baby, I get the impulse, I do. But your parents are adults. It’s up to them to get their shit together for this baby or realize that they don’t work together and figure out how to co-parent apart.”

He frowns as he moves on to the next point that bothers him more than the first. “Second of all, it’s not fine that you are used to them being this way. They shouldn’t be better parents just for this baby that’s coming; they should be better parents for you too,” he says heatedly, realizing for the first time just how angry he is on his boyfriend’s behalf.

He hears a sniffle, it pulls him out of his thoughts, and when he looks down at the man in his lap, he startles to see tears in his pretty green eyes.

“Oh, baby, I’m sorry,” he says anxiously, feeling gutted as the tears spill down TK’s cheeks.

“No, no,” TK says just as fast as he sits up. “Don’t apologize,” he continues with a self-conscious chuckle as he wipes his face. “I’m being ridiculous.”

Carlos frowns again. He takes TK’s hands, intertwining their fingers, tugging on them to get his attention. “You’re not, though,” he says, biting down on his lip before proceeding with caution. “It’s pretty clear that their behavior upsets you, sweetheart.”

Fresh tears spring in TK’s eyes, and Carlos hurts at the sad smile he gives him. “They’re not bad people. They love me.”

“I know that,” he reassures him, meaning it. He’s spent enough time with both TK’s parents to know they are kind and love their son beyond measure. “But they’re not perfect,” he says with a wry smile of his own, remembering a familiar conversation they had about his own parents just weeks ago. “And they don’t seem to notice how they act affects you. How I think it has always affected you?”

TK looks at him for a moment before letting out a sigh. “I hate when they fight,” he whispers, sounding small. It makes Carlos ache. “They can be great, laughing one second and then taking jabs at each other the next. Growing up, it would stress me out, not knowing which way it would go on any given day. I hate that it still makes me feel like that now. I know it’s never going to change. I should have a better handle on it by now.”

Carlos is shaking his head before TK is even done speaking. “Nope, you don’t get to take this responsibility on your shoulders,” he says, still shaking his head when TK opens his mouth. “Nope, nope, nope. You will not be blaming your valid feelings in this house.”

“Carlos,” TK says with a reluctant smile. It slowly grows more genuine when he doesn’t budge on his position. “Defending me even from myself,” he says with a resigned chuckle, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “I love you, you know that, right?”

“I do know,” he answers with a grin of his own. He reaches up, tugging TK towards him. TK comes easily, shifting to place his knees on either side of Carlos’ thighs, settling on his lap. “I love you too,” he tells him softly as he runs his thumb over his cheekbone. TK leans forward, smiling as he presses his lips against his.

Carlos cups his face, holding him in place as he kisses him. Taking his time, he touches his tongue to TK’s bottom lip, slipping inside to taste him when TK parts his lips with a breathy sigh. The kiss is meant to comfort, but as usual, the heat between them quickly ignites, and he feels his stomach clench with want as TK lets out a needy moan and starts to squirm on his lap. He breaks the kiss only when breathing becomes a problem, staring in wonder at how beautiful TK looks like this, skin flushed, his eyes hazy and unfocused, lips red and slick.

He loves this man, and he doesn’t want him farther than he is right now, which is probably why the next words spill out of his mouth. “You should move in with me.”

“What?” TK questions, his expression going from lost in their moment to startled. “Did you just – “

“You should move in,” he repeats. His heart is pounding from nerves, but he realizes just how much he wants this as he speaks again. “You shouldn’t have to deal with your parents’ issues in your own home anymore.”

TK’s face goes tender as the left side of his mouth quirks up in a half-smile. “Carlos, babe, it’s really sweet of you to offer just to save me from my parents’ bickering, but – “

“That’s not why I’m asking,” he rushes to say. “I mean, I do believe that Owen and Gwyneth need to get their shit together for their sake, yours and the baby that’s on the way. I also think that they should do it without dragging you into the middle of it. And I do want you to have a place away from that environment because I don’t think it’s good for you,” he swallows nervously, taking TK’s hands in his once more, bringing them up to his mouth to kiss them.

He looks at TK over them, his lips against his knuckles. “But mostly, I’m asking because I want you here. I want this to be your home. I love that this is the place you seek when you are stressed or frustrated, or scared. I love that this place is a source of peace for you, and I want that to be a permanent thing. I want this place, me, to be your home. I want – “

“Oh my god, shut up,” TK blurts out, kissing him hard before Carlos has a chance to feel hurt by his words. He breaks the kiss just as fast as it starts, bringing their joined hands to his mouth just like Carlos did moments ago, laying a kiss there too. “Yes,” he says with a smile that threatens to take over his whole face. His eyes are shining with tears again, but this time Carlos is relieved to see they’re happy ones. “I want all of that too, so yes.”

“Yes, you’ll move in with me?” he repeats, needing to hear the words in full. His heart all but cartwheels at the indulgent look TK gives him in return.

“Yes,” TK says again, grinning before letting out a happy laugh. “I will move in with you.”

Carlos releases TK’s hands to pull him into a hug, smiling at the peaceful sigh TK lets out as he settles into his hold, all but melting into it, and Carlos promises himself to always be this for TK. He’ll do everything in his power to make sure TK feels safe, loved, and know that he’s home from this moment on.

[morganaspendragonss]

Hey! I absolutely love your "the lovers that went wrong" fic - ive been back to reread it several times now because i think its such a good idea and I love the relationship with TK and his mum - if only the show could give us something as good as that! - I was wondering- only if you were interested, could you write something from Carlos' pov with his parents? maybe they can see that TK is more than a friend and they talk to Carlos about him and TK and why he's feeling insecure? if not np :)

thank you so much anon, that’s so sweet of you!! i love this prompt, too - god knows the show probably won’t show us carlos’s pov. it was my pleasure to write it.

a note on the spanish - technically, i do speak spanish but it’s still very much a word in progress, so if any spanish-speakers want to correct me then please do

ao3 | 1.6k | 2.04 spoilers

Carlos can feel TK's eyes burning holes into the side of his head, but he doesn’t look around. He doesn’t want to see the confusion and hurt he knows TK must be feeling - and if that makes him a coward, then so be it. His parents’ gazes are flicking between them, so Carlos distracts his mom by pulling her into a hug, grateful for the brief opportunity to hide his face. 

Behind them, his dad is shaking TK’s hand, and Carlos’s entire brain is screaming wrongwrongwrong. This isn’t supposed to be happening. Not like this. Not yet.

He’s not ready.

His mom pulls away and Carlos forces a smile back on his face. They stand in an uncomfortable silence for a few moments, Carlos feeling like he’s being scrutinised.

Then, TK speaks. “It was great to meet you, Mr Reyes, Mrs Reyes,” he says, “but I should go. I told my dad I’d meet him and I’ll be late if I don’t leave.”

The lie rolls off his tongue, smoother than Carlos’s had, and Carlos dares a glance over. What he sees is so much worse than he imagined; to any other person, TK looks the picture of innocence, smiling kindly, eyes wide and bright. 

But Carlos knows him. He can see the tense set of TK’s shoulders, the way he’s subtly put more distance between them, the hurt hidden deep in his eyes. He feels sick with guilt, but there’s nothing he can do to fix it. Not here.

“I’ll drive you,” he offers, but TK firmly waves him off.

“No,” he says, jaw clenching minutely. “My dad’s place isn’t too far; I can walk.”

“But -”

“It’s fine.” 

Their eyes meet, and Carlos is suddenly hit with the force of what he’s done. Everything he’s been so scared of - TK deciding they’re not working, running away, Carlos getting his heart broken - all of that might happen now after all. 

And it’ll all be Carlos’s fault.

TK’s hand lands on his shoulder. “I’ll see you around, Carlos,” he mutters, and then he’s gone, striding back the way they came and taking half of Carlos’s heart with him.

“Is everything okay, mijo?” his mom asks, as Carlos keeps staring after TK even though he can’t see him anymore. 

Carlos doesn’t have an answer to that - the casual way they parted cut deeper than he’d ever thought possible, and he doesn’t know if it was just TK keeping up the act or his way of hurting Carlos the way he’d been hurt. Carlos wants to believe it’s the first one, but his less charitable side can’t help but wonder.

He can’t tell any of this to his mom, though, so he braces himself and turns back around, smiling. “Yeah, of course,” he says, surprised by how steady his voice is. “What are you guys doing here? I wasn’t expecting to see you.”

“Clearly,” his dad remarks, faintly amused, but before Carlos can figure that out, his mom is taking his arm and dragging him along with her.

“I was planning on making my chiles rellenos tonight, but your father forgot the chiles when he went shopping the other day.” She sends a reproachful look behind her, but the effect is offset by her fond smile. “You know they do the best ones here, so out we came. And here you are.”

“Here I am,” Carlos agrees through gritted teeth. He tries to extricate himself from her grip. “Look, mami, I don’t want to keep you. I’ll go, and you can -”

She stops suddenly, planting her hands on her hips. “I don’t see my only son for weeks, and the second we run into him, he wants to escape?” she demands. “No. You’re coming home with us, and you can help me with the food.”

“It’s hardly been weeks, mami,” he says weakly, knowing he’s already lost this argument. When Andrea Reyes makes up her mind, nothing can sway her.

“Psshh, details.” She waves her hand dismissively and takes his arm again, leaving Carlos no choice but to follow her to their car. He directs a wordless plea for help back at his dad, but he just holds his hands up, shaking his head. 

“Your mother’s right, you know,” he says. “We barely see you these days. Give us the afternoon, at least.”

Which is how Carlos ends up in his mother’s kitchen, silently helping her prepare chiles rellenos and trying not to wallow in his grief over TK.

He fails miserably - miserable being the operative word.

His mom is being suspiciously silent, and if Carlos had any energy left, he would call her out on it. He knows they’re going to end up having a discussion at some point, but he’s in no mood to provoke it. Easier just to let her initiate it herself.

“That boy at the market,” she starts eventually, far too casually for Carlos’s liking. “What was his name again?”

“TK.”

She hums. “You’ve never mentioned him before.”

He sighs heavily. “We’re friends, mami,” he reminds her wearily, the lie coming easier this time, which is something he really doesn’t want to read in to.

“I never suggested otherwise,” she says. “He seemed nice.”

“He is.”

She sighs, clearly fed up with his reticence, and sets her knife down. “¿Qué pasa, mijo?” she asks, turning to face him.

“Nada, mami, no pasa nada,” he insists, though he’s not entirely sure why he’s still bothering to lie.

“Don’t pull that shit with me, Carlos Reyes,” she says sharply, startling him. “Soy tu madre; te conozco. Now, I’ll ask again - what’s going on?”

He meets her gaze, seeing only warmth and concern there, and it nearly breaks him. “It’s difficult to explain.”

“Try me.”

Carlos bites his lip, deciding how best to break the news to her. He’s still not ready, not really, but he’s made his bed. Time to lie in it.

“I’ve met someone,” he hedges, trusting her to fill in the blank of TK’s name. “I’ve known him for a while, but we’ve only been seeing each other for the last four months.”

There’s a brief silence, then, “Why did you not tell us?” she asks, her tone gentle, not at all accusatory. “Is it not serious?”

He hesitates, swallowing past the lump in his throat. “I don’t know,” he admits, half-whispering. “I don’t… He… I…”

Carlos shakes his head, giving up on speech. He doesn’t protest when his mom reaches up to draw him into an embrace, resting his head on her shoulder. 

“I’m scared, mami,” he chokes out, squeezing his eyes shut and letting the tears fall. His mom holds him tight, rubbing comforting circles on his back as he shakes in her arms. 

They stay like that for a while, until she moves her hands to his shoulders and eases him away from her. “Why are you scared?” she asks. Her eyes narrow. “He’s not hurting you, is he?”

Carlos recoils at the thought. “No,” he says, the words bursting out of him in a half-shout. “He would never.”

“Then, what is it?”

He hesitates again, the thought of telling her everything suddenly very daunting. She clearly notices, as she reaches around him to push the half-prepared food away. Carlos’s eyes widen at that; his mom never stops cooking once she’s started. She smiles ruefully, then leads him over to the couch, pulling both of them down onto it. 

“Tell me.”

And Carlos does. He doesn’t divulge all of their long, complicated history, but he tells her enough for her to understand. He talks about TK’s reluctance to start anything, his own determination to try anyway. He talks about those days after TK got shot, and the solar storm, and that night under the stars when they finally agreed to give them a shot.

He talks about his fears that it’s all just a fantasy, that any day now the rose-tinted glasses are going to come off and TK is going to realise that he’s made a mistake, and Carlos will be left behind again. And he talks about his guilt for even thinking it, the way he wants so badly to believe that this is it.

Because, for him at least, Carlos is fairly sure that it is. He just wishes (hopes) the same is true for TK.

When he’s done talking, he glances hesitantly over at his mom. She’s watching him with a small smile on her face, her hand gently squeezing his knee.

“Oh, Carlos,” she says, shaking her head. “You’re in deep, aren’t you?”

He grimaces and nods. “I’ve ruined it all,” he says. “I hurt him, and now he’s never going to trust me again.”

“Oh, no you don’t,” she admonishes. He frowns up at her, only to meet a spectacular frown of her own. “You’re going to go to him, right now, and explain everything like you’ve just done for me. He’ll listen, and if he doesn’t then clearly he’s not good enough for you.”

“He’s good enough, mami,” he says, cracking a small smile. “I don’t know where he is, though; he was lying when he said he had to meet his dad.”

“Then you’re going to go home and wait,” she says, matter-of-fact. “If half of what you’ve said is true, he’s going to want to talk just as much as you do.”

Carlos doubts that, but he supposes it’s as good a plan as any. He could call TK, but he doesn’t want to rush him. Better to let him decide when he wants to talk to Carlos - Carlos had been the one to hurt him, after all.

He leans into his mom’s side, smiling at her. “Thank you, mami.”

She kisses his temple. “Te quiero, my son. Now, go. If this boy is as good as you say, I’ll never forgive you for letting him go, let alone him.”

Carlos laughs, then gets to his feet and leaves his parents’ house, filled with a sudden determination to fix this.

He doesn’t think he could live with himself if he didn’t at least try.