#someone in the tags mentioning Carlos and Sugar

[bellakitse]

Resonant Frequencies

TK and Carlos are friends with benefits. When a nosy neighbor of Carlos' mother runs into them kissing on the street, they pretend to be a couple to get out of the awkward moment. As a result, Carlos' mother wants to meet the secret boyfriend Carlos has told her nothing about. Cue the fake dating of two dumb boys who are more serious than they realize.

For @howtosingit, happy belated punk! Sorry it took so long, but I simply adore you and hope you like this. 🥰🥰

@daybreak96 asked to be tagged in this.

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The Texas noon sun beats down on TK Strand’s back as he stands in line waiting to order his lunch; next to him stands the man responsible for them being out in the first place. He turns slightly to look at him, studying every small detail. Carlos Reyes stands tall, his posture straight, but relaxed. He’s in street clothes like TK, a blue cotton t-shirt that clings and does nothing to hide the hard-earned definition of his drool-worthy body.

As someone who is personally acquainted with said body, TK feels he’s accurate in his description.

“Why are we here?” he asks, making a face when he hears the childish pout in his voice.

“It’s lunchtime, and we are at a food truck, TK. I would think the answer is obvious,” Carlos replies, turning to face him. TK can’t see his eyes behind his sunglasses, but the smirk playing on the hot cop’s lips is enough to make TK scowl, partly at Carlos, but mostly at himself for finding Carlos’ smugness so attractive.

In the last few months, he and Carlos have fallen into a ‘friends with benefits’ situation that TK finds highly enjoyable – like blacking out from the best sex of his life, enjoyable. Which is why he’s more than a little annoyed that they’re out here now, instead of enjoying the fact that neither have a shift until the afternoon by being alone and naked back at Carlos’ apartment.

“We could’ve eaten at your place,” he continues, voicing his thought.

“I haven’t done any groceries,” Carlos says smoothly, and while he’s not smirking, TK can hear the amusement in his voice. “Besides, why am I the one that keeps feeding you?”

TK rolls his eyes at the question; he already knows Carlos isn’t serious. The guy enjoys feeding TK and not just his cock.

“We could go back to your place, and I’ll pay for the Grubhub,” he shoots back, grinning when Carlos takes off his sunglasses; now that he has his eyes on him, TK lets his grin get dirty. He licks at his bottom lip slowly, silently cheering when Carlos’ pupils dilate as he stares at his mouth.

“I’m pretty sure you can make me come, screaming your name at least twice before the food arrives,” he says casually, as if talking about the weather, and not the knee-buckling orgasms Carlos tends to bring out of him. “Maybe even three times,” he smiles as Carlos exhales sharply. “We both know how good you are at getting me to do that.”

Carlos touches TK’s hip for a moment before slipping his arm around him, pulling him towards his body so quickly it’s TK’s turn to gasp.

“Flattery and cock-teasing,” Carlos murmurs against his ear, and TK can feel his body’s temperature go up a few notches that have nothing to do with the Austin heat. “That’s your plan here?”

“If it gets us back to your place and me under you, sure,” he answers, gleefully laughing as Carlos lets out a low groan, his lips brushing against TK’s throat before moving up again. He has him now.

“Tease,” Carlos whispers against the corner of TK’s mouth. The word is said with fondness and amusement that warms TK’s belly. He lifts his arms to wrap them around Carlos’ shoulders, smiling as Carlos pulls him even closer, thankful that no one is behind them on the line that they might annoy.

TK closes his eyes as Carlos kisses him softly, sighing when Carlos touches the tip of his tongue to his lips, parting them as he deepens the kiss. TK is so lost in Carlos’ feel and taste, he doesn’t notice the old lady walking up to them until she speaks.

“Carlitos Reyes, is that you?”

TK feels the moment Carlos’ muscles tense under his hands before he breaks their kiss with a jerk, swiveling his head to the left.

“Doña Flor!” Carlos exhales, his voice coming out loud, cracking slightly at the end. He smiles as he turns his body towards the older woman who called his name, but TK can tell the smile is artificial and awkward. “How are you?”

Doña Flor, a short, plump woman with grey hair pulled into a loose bun, and a weathered face, looks at them with a curious glint in her eye. “I’m doing as well as I can for my old age, mijo,” she tells Carlos. There is the beginning of a grin on her face as she shifts her gaze to TK, before looking back at Carlos with a raised eyebrow. “But it seems, not as well as you,” she continues, her tone pointed.

TK bites down on his lip as Carlos lets out an embarrassed laugh while rubbing the back of his neck bashfully; when he looks at him, all TK can do is raise his eyebrows at him, waiting to see how he wants to handle the situation.

“TK,” Carlos starts, looking at him with wide eyes. “This is Doña Flor Moreno; I grew up across the street from her, she’s a close friend of my mom.”

TK understands the implication in Carlos’ voice instantly and turns towards the lady with the most charming smile he can muster. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

Doña Flor smiles at him, that twinkle still there in her eyes. “And you – ” her question trails off, looking back at Carlos expectantly, causing Carlos to look like a deer caught in the headlights yet again.

“Right, Doña Flor, this is TK Strand,” Carlos says, looking at him. “He’s a firefighter; we work together.”

TK bites his lip again, this time to keep himself from laughing at the incredulous look the old lady gives Carlos.

“Very friendly coworkers,” she says dryly, reminding them exactly what she’d walked in on. Now TK can’t help the chuckle that escapes him as Carlos blushes a rosy pink color that is just too adorable.

“Doña Flor – “ Carlos starts to say, only to trail off when the woman rolls her eyes.

“I have known you since you were in diapers,” she reminds him with a huff. “I know you like boys, cariño,” she continues, her expression softening. “You don’t need to lie to me, Carlitos.”

Carlos stammers a few ‘umms’ before turning towards him completely at a loss. His helpless expression has TK opening his mouth and speaking before he can second-guess his decision.

“I’m his boyfriend as well as coworker, ma’am,” TK answers with a smile, trying to ignore the way the words suddenly make his heart race. He can feel Carlos’ eyes drilling into the side of his face, but he doesn’t focus on that when Flor is laughing with delight.

“Yes, sweetie, that hot kiss I interrupted kind of clued me in,” she says to him with a grin, before turning back to Carlos. “Good going, Carlitos, es muy guapo tu novio.”

“Flor!” Carlos exclaims, his blush spreading from his hairline over his face and down his neck. “Dios mio,” he mutters, covering his face with his hands as the old woman laughs.

“I know that word, it means good-looking, right?” he asks, looking for confirmation from Flor when Carlos just groans into his hands.

Flor nods, a wide smile still on her face. “Si, cariño, that’s what it means, and it’s true, you’re beautiful.”

TK can feel his own face heat up at the compliment. Trying to distract from it, he leans in to press his shoulder against Carlos’ playfully. “How come you don’t call me beautiful?”

Carlos lowers his hands to scowl at him. “That is a blatant lie,” he accuses him. “I call you beautiful all the time.”

TK feels himself go redder; it’s true, Carlos calls him beautiful all the time. Usually, when they’re in bed having sex. Carlos tends to whisper in his ear how gorgeous TK is, how good he feels as he slowly and torturously sinks deep into TK until he doesn’t know where he ends, and Carlos begins.

What he’s thinking must show on his face, because Carlos’ eyes darken as he watches him, and TK can’t help but sway into him. He places his hand on Carlos’ stomach to keep himself from melting under that gaze.

“You two are so sweet together,” Doña Flor sighs happily. “Young love is always so beautiful. Your mama must be so happy you’re dating someone, Carlitos.”

The mention of his mom seems to snap Carlos back to attention, his expression going panicked again. “Actually, she – “ he starts but is stopped as Doña Flor’s purse starts to ring; he pauses as she roots through it to take out her cell phone.

“Oh!” she exclaims as she looks at the caller ID. “It’s my daughter, she’s in the farmers market across the street,” she explains as she takes the call.

He and Carlos remain silent as she speaks rapidly into the phone. The conversation is rushed before she’s hanging up again and turning to them.

“I have to go,” she says quickly, stepping forward to kiss Carlos on the cheek. “We have to go pick up my grandkids, half-a-day at school,” she explains before surprising TK by also kissing him on the cheek. “It was so nice to meet you, TK, make sure this one brings you to my place when you visit his mama, okay? I make the best sopaipillas in all of Texas.”

TK nods because he doesn’t know what else to do, watching as she turns and walks away, leaving him and Carlos alone again.

It’s quiet, and TK waits as Carlos frowns into the distance for a moment before he speaks. “What’s a soap – “ he trails off, not knowing how to pronounce the word.

“Sopaipillas,” Carlos tells him quietly. “It’s fried dough, drizzled with honey and powdered sugar, Doña Flor makes them from scratch.”

“Oh, that sounds good,” he says, hesitant as Carlos sighs.

“This is so bad,” he mutters, mostly to himself as he shakes his head.

“What?”

“She’s going to tell my mom she saw us here,” Carlos explains, his frown deepening. “That you called yourself my boyfriend,” he continues with a groan. “This is a nightmare.”

TK swallows around the sudden ache right below his chest at Carlos’ words. “Gee, thanks,” he says sarcastically, cringing when he hears the hurt in his voice.

Carlos hears it too if the way his expression goes apologetic instantly is any indication. “I didn’t mean it like that,” he says quietly. “I just wasn’t prepared for you to answer the way you did.”

“You froze when she called you out on calling me your coworker, and she caught us making out,” TK says defensively, hating how the sting of Carlos’ words still lingers under his skin. “Was I supposed to tell that nice old lady that I’m just the guy you fuck a lot? Boyfriend seemed like the more PG answer.”

“TK,” Carlos whispers, and TK has to curl his hands to keep himself from reaching out as Carlos looks sorrier than before.

“Whatever,” he mutters, mostly to himself as he tries to shake off the hurt. This is why he avoids getting attached these days. “Maybe she won’t say anything to your mom.”

Carlos lets out a dry snort, shaking his head like TK has amused him. “That’s not how Mexican moms work.”

 ֍֍֍

 It’s a few hours into the evening when TK sees Carlos again. They didn’t go back to Carlos’ place like he had hoped initially before they’d run into Carlos’ old neighbor. Instead, they had stayed to order their food from the taco truck and then eaten it at a nearby bench in somewhat uncomfortable silence before TK asked Carlos to drop him off early at the station.

Now, as TK works on top of the truck, he watches as Carlos lingers by the bay doors, searching the room. It gives TK a moment to observe him, swallowing down an appreciative sound. He’s never had a kink for uniforms before, but he can admit – if only to himself – that Carlos fills out his exceptionally well.

Carlos finds him quickly, and TK tries to ignore how his heart speeds up when their eyes meet.

“Hey,” Carlos calls out to him as he nears the truck, looking up at him. A few of his teammates look over at the voice. Carlos answers their curious gaze with a half-hearted wave before focusing on TK again, making it obvious he’s there to see him. “Can we talk for a second?” he asks, looking nervous.

TK gives him a small nod. “Yeah – I’ll come down – ”

“Officer Reyes!”

TK turns his head and sees his father come out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee in his hand. He sighs quietly as he starts to climb down the top of the truck. His feet touch the floor just as his father comes to a stop in front of Carlos.

��What a nice surprise,” Owen says with a friendly smile, lifting his cup. “Would you like some coffee?”

“Carlos doesn’t drink coffee this late,” TK answers just as Carlos shakes his head. “Only tea,” he tells his father and tries not to squirm under the gaze of both men as Carlos looks at him surprised but also pleased while his father looks at him questionably.

His gaze lingers on him for a moment before turning back to Carlos with a smile. “What brings you by, officer? Paperwork for me?”

Carlos shakes his head again, his eyes straying back to him, and TK keeps from rolling his when his dad looks at him too knowingly.

“Maybe you’re here to see Michelle?” Owen continues, and this time TK does roll his eyes as he hears his dad’s familiar shit-stirring tone.

“He’s here to see me, dad,” he says with a huff as Owen looks pleased with the reveal. “But you figured that out already,” he accuses him, shaking his head as his father looks seconds from laughing at his aggravation. “A little privacy would be nice.”

Owen chuckles, raising a hand in mocking surrender. “I’ll leave you too it then,” he answers with amusement as he turns to leave. “Carlos, if you decide you want tea, make sure TK makes you some.”

Carlos gives him a slight nod with an awkward smile on his face. “Thank you, Captain Strand.”

Owen smiles once more before he heads for the stairs leading to his office, leaving them alone.

“Do you want to talk outside?” TK asks after a moment of silence between them. Carlos looks around the station, lingering on TK’s crew before agreeing.

“Yeah, that’s probably best,” Carlos answers, still looking anxious.

TK leads them to one of the benches they placed after the remodel, sitting down with an exhale. Carlos doesn’t sit next to him; instead, he fidgets where he stands.

“Okay, what’s up?” he asks when it becomes obvious that Carlos isn’t going to stop shuffling and get to why he’s there anytime soon. “You’re vibrating energy,” he says, frowning, not used to seeing Carlos nervous. “Is this about before?” he asks, biting down on his lip when Carlos nods.

Carlos lets out a sigh, a smile that is more a grimace on his face as he finally takes a seat next to him.

“Well, what is it?” TK can’t help but blurt out when Carlos doesn’t continue. Instead, he pulls out his phone, opens it to his messages, and passes it over to TK.

TK takes the phone in his hand, raising both eyebrows when the first thing he sees is a picture of them from earlier, right before they kissed. TK swallows hard, feeling his face heat up as he looks at the moment that was captured. Them in profile, with his arms wrapped around Carlos’ neck, while Carlos holds him by the waist. The picture’s taken from a bit of distance, but even so, TK can see a smile on his own face.

“When did she even have time to take this?” he asks, trying to focus on that and not how happy he looks in the picture.

“Latina moms are part ninjas, part spies, this is nothing,” Carlos answers with the voice of a man that is resigned to that fact.

TK looks back at the picture and realizes it’s part of a group chat called ‘Las Reinas y el Rey,’

“What does that mean?” he asks, not ready to look at the conversation just yet.

“Oh,” Carlos smiles, this time more sincerely as he leans over to look. “It means ‘the queens and the king.’ Reyes means king, and since my immediate family is my mom and my sisters, that’s what they decided to call our family chat.”

TK smiles, liking the reason behind the name even as he realizes who exactly saw their picture. He scrolls past the image and breaks out into a cold sweat as he reads the messages. When he looks back at Carlos with wide-eyes, he gets a solemn nod in return.

“Yep,” Carlos answers this time, grimacing outright.

TK looks down at the phone once more, the message from Carlos’ mom right under the picture sticking with him the most.

‘Do you have something to tell me, Carlos Aurelio Reyes?’

The question is followed by his sisters teasing him over their mother middle naming him and how that meant he was in trouble. It ends with his mother telling him to call her. Now.

“I didn’t know that was your middle name,” TK says softly, not knowing what else to say.

“It was my grandfather’s name,” Carlos tells him. When he doesn’t follow it up with anything else, TK finally cracks.

“Shit, Carlos,” he starts apologetically, anxiously running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause you any trouble with your family.”

“Hey, no, don’t do that,” Carlos says quickly, turning in his seat to face him. “You don’t have to apologize; you were just trying to get me out of an awkward situation.”

“And landed you in a bigger one,” he shoots back dryly, relieved when Carlos lets out a small, wary chuckle.

“The conversations with my mom – “ he trails off, shaking his head. “I’m 27 years old, and yet that woman can make me feel like I’m five again when I’m in trouble with her.”

“How in trouble are you?” TK asks, biting down on his lip when Carlos shrugs.

“She’s disappointed,” Carlos answers, making air quotes that have TK huffing out a laugh, and Carlos shoots him back a grin. “Apparently she called Flor to confirm what she’s bringing to a block party we are having this Saturday. Flor mentioned seeing me with you, of course, and then sent her the picture as proof, asking if I was bringing you to the party. Mom got caught off guard because I haven’t mentioned you to her and then lectured me about having a boyfriend she doesn’t know. She asked if we aren’t close anymore.”

“Ah, she gave you the mom guilt-trip,” TK says knowingly.

“Carlota Reyes has a Ph.D. in that field,” Carlos answers, but there is a fond smile on his handsome face that says he finds it endearing. “She just wants to know you, and I didn’t have the heart to tell her that we’re not actually like that,” he tells him quietly with a helpless shrug.

TK doesn’t speak for a moment. Instead, he lets himself consider something that sends his heart racing in a way that surprises him. That alone should be enough for him to realize it’s a bad idea, but still, he finds himself ignoring that little voice in his head that tells him he’s getting too close.

“We don’t have to tell her,” he says, taking a calming breath when Carlos shoots him a confused look. “As far as she knows we’re dating, she doesn’t need to know how serious it is or not.”

“TK – “

“You can take me to that party,” he continues, talking over Carlos quickly. “Then, your mom can get the satisfaction of meeting me.”

“She thinks you’re my boyfriend, not my – “ Carlos trails off, not knowing how to finish the sentence.

“Fuck buddy?” TK finishes for him, holding his breath when Carlos frowns.

“I’d like to think we’re friends, Tyler,” Carlos says softly, not realizing how the words make his stomach somersault in a pleasant way that makes TK feel happier than expected.

“We are,” TK answers just as soft. “You’re right, we’re friends. I like you.”

Carlos smiles at him; it’s gentle and happy as his eyes crinkle at the corners. “I like you too.”

“Right,” he gets out, clearing his throat as his stomach does another flip. “So, we shouldn’t have a problem pretending to be together for a night to appease your mom,” he continues. When Carlos looks hesitant, he leans into his space with a teasing grin. “I mean, it’s not like it will be hard. We usually spend our alone time with our mouths on each other anyway. Pretty sure we can pull off acting like a couple.”

Carlos shoots him a look, his mouth twitching with reluctant amusement. “You are so much trouble, Strand,” he accuses him, but the glint in his brown eyes lets TK know he means it with fondness.

“Yeah,” TK answers with a chuckle. “But you like it. So what do you say, Reyes? Wanna be my boyfriend?”

Carlos locks eyes with him, the intensity in his gaze causing the breath to catch in TK’s throat. “Yeah.”

 ֍֍֍

 Saturday arrives faster than expected; he sees Carlos during calls and after work before the day. Each time Carlos tells him with a nervous smile that his mother and sisters are very excited to meet him.

Carlos drives them that late afternoon to Austin’s outskirts into a neighborhood with modest one-story ranch houses. They can hear music and people laughing before they pull up right outside the closed-off block. Carlos turns off the engine to his Camero before letting out a deep breath.

When he turns to face him, TK wants to tell him that it’s going to be okay. Instead, his nerves that have been getting the better of him since Carlos picked him up, have him blurting out – “Are you sure I look okay?”

He frowns down at his black and white polka dot short-sleeved dress shirt. “Maybe I should have worn the green palm leaves; you like that shirt better, right?”

“I do like that one,” Carlos concedes. “The green brings out your eyes, but,” he continues, giving TK a smile when TK lets out a sigh. “I like you in the polka dots too.”

TK looks at Carlos doubtfully before turning the look back to his shirt, running a hand down the front to smooth out the material. “You sure?” he asks, startling when he feels Carlos’ hand touch his jaw; when he looks back at him, he finds Carlos giving him a soft, reassuring look.

“You look amazing in everything, TK,” Carlos tells him with naked want shining in his eyes. “You’re fucking gorgeous.”

TK lets out a shaky breath at Carlos’ words. Licking at his lips, it hitches in his lungs as Carlos stares at his mouth. He closes his eyes a second before Carlos presses his mouth to his, moaning into those full lips when Carlos moves his hand from his jaw to his hair, clutching it tightly as he moves TK where he wants to deepen the kiss. Carlos’ tongue touches his lips, and TK lets out a needy sound as he lets Carlos in, his hands blindly grabbing at Carlos’ strong shoulders to keep him grounded. There are times when Carlos kisses him like this, that TK is convinced he’s going to float away from how light Carlos makes him feel under his touch.

There is a hard knock on Carlos’ side that makes TK jump back. Carlos turns from him, letting out a deep groan when he sees who it is.

“Great,” he mutters as he wipes at his mouth. Leaning forward to look around Carlos, TK finds a beautiful woman with brown eyes staring at them, and there is a smirk on her red-colored lips as their eyes lock. Her features are similar enough to Carlos to instantly recognize the family resemblance.

“Which one is she?” he asks, hoping he can calm his nerves before they have to exit the car.

“That would be Lola,” Carlos says dryly, as TK mentally goes over what he knows about her. Closest in age to Carlos, a local artist, and in Carlos’ own words, a pain in his ass.

“Right,” he says quietly, taking a deep breath, he starts to reach for the door handle when Carlos stops him by placing a hand on his forearm.

“You okay?” he asks quietly, looking concerned and nervous himself. TK doesn’t like the look one bit, and even though Carlos’ sister is still leaning down to look at them, TK turns towards him and kisses him again.

“We got this,” he whispers against Carlos’ mouth, smiling when he lets out a sound of agreement. With that, he pulls back, missing Carlos’ reassuring touch instantly as he opens the door to get out.

“Hi,” he says to Carlos’ sister from across the car, flashing her what he hopes is a charming smile. “I’m TK.”

“Lola,” she answers with a grin of her own; it grows as TK nods that he knows. “Gotta say, you’re so much cuter when my little brother isn’t attached to your face.”

“Ha, ha, ha, hilarious,” Carlos says sarcastically as he too gets out of the car. “When was the last time you had someone as gorgeous as him attached to your face, Lola?” he asks, and TK has to cover his mouth to hide the smile that takes over instantly. That has to be the most childish thing he’s ever heard Carlos say, and TK can’t help but find it absolutely endearing.

“You brat,” Lola teases, her eyes crinkling at the corners from the massive smile on her face as she talks to her brother; it matches Carlos’ own.

“I learned from the best,” he shoots back with a laugh before he’s pulling her into a hug, lifting her off the ground. Lola lets out a squeal, clutching his shoulders. “How’s your show doing?”

“Amazingly,” Lola answers as he puts her back down. “But you would know that, if you bothered to stop by,” she says purposely, earning a sigh from Carlos.

“I’ve been busy,” he argues back as he and Lola walk around the car to him. He holds out his hand to TK, which he takes gratefully before they start walking towards the music and the crowd. “With work and – “

“ – a hot firefighter boyfriend that you tell us nothing about until you get caught by nosy neighbors?” Lola finishes for him, jokingly.

Carlos clams up, shooting his sister a look, but it does nothing to stop the teasing one Lola shoots back at him.

“Carlos said you’re an artist, but I didn’t know you had a current show,” TK jumps in, hoping to ease the tension. “Is it close?”

Lola turns to him, nodding. “Yeah, a small art gallery downtown, it just opened.”

“That’s exciting,” TK continues. “We should go,” he says as he turns to Carlos.

Carlos raises an eyebrow at that, trying to read if he means it. “We barely have dinner before we’re in bed.”

���I don’t need to know about your sex life,” Lola butts in, smirking when Carlos scowls at her.

“To sleep, pervert,” Carlos answers rudely, much to Lola’s amusement. “TK works really long, exhausting shifts.”

“We can go the next time we have a day off together,” he answers before Lola can continue messing with Carlos. “We’ll make the time. Carlos says you are really gifted.”

“Carlos complimenting me?” Lola jokes, but TK can see the pleased look in her eyes at his comment.

“Don’t tell her that,” Carlos hisses at him without heat. “She’s already insufferable enough as is.”

Lola shakes her head, stopping as they come to a pale mint-green house. “Secrets out now, mano, you say nice things about me.”

“A momentary lapse in judgment, I assure you,” Carlos answers, much to his sister and TK’s amusement. He’s never seen such a playfully combative side of Carlos, but it’s fun to watch.

“You’re so cute when you’re pissy,” Lola mocks him, before leaning in to kiss him on the cheek. “But I know it’s just cause deep down you’re scared to go inside and see Mami,” she says, pointing at the house they’re standing in front of. “She’s waiting, said to make sure you came inside the moment you showed up.”

Carlos doesn’t say anything, but TK can feel him tense up as he holds on to his arm, giving weight to Lola’s observation.

“Relax,” she says, her tone softening as she goes from messing with Carlos to being supportive in a flash. “She’s going to like him,” Lola continues. “He’s cute, polite, and the way you two are holding each other,” she points at their linked hands and at TK’s other hand holding on to Carlos’ bicep. “It’s freaking adorable. Mami is going to take one look at you two and start daydreaming of weddings and babies. She’ll love him.”

TK swallows hard at her words, feeling Carlos tense even further under his hold. “I don’t think that’s as reassuring as you hoped it would be,” he tells her honestly. It earns him a toothy smile that lets him know Lola is greatly amused by them.

“She’s not trying to be reassuring; she’s being a shit-starter,” Carlos tells him, rolling his eyes at his sister before they soften as he looks back at him, squeezing his hand as he leads him towards the house. “She is right about one thing, though, Mami is going to love you.”

“You sure?” he questions nervously, walking up the small set of staircases with Carlos.

“How could she not?” Carlos questions gently, the affection in his eyes warming TK’s insides. TK leans into Carlos, pressing a kiss on his shoulder in response.

“You two are nauseatingly cute,” Lola groans, making TK jump; for a moment, he had forgotten that she was coming up behind them.

“What are you doing?” Carlos questions with narrowed eyes as Lola types away on her phone.

“Updating Valentina and Sofía,” she answers, unconcerned when Carlos makes a sound in protest. “They’ll be here later, Vale is still on shift at the hospital, and Sofía said she’d come after she puts the kids to bed. They want a full report on you and the gringo.”

“I hate you all,” Carlos informs his sister, shaking his head when she waves off his words, still texting away. “Come on,” he says to him, opening the door. “Time to meet the big boss.”

Lola snorts at the comment, following them.

The inside of the Reyes household is colorful and warm, not just in temperature but love; just in the foyer alone, the walls are covered in pictures of the family.

TK instantly gravitates to a medium-sized frame picture of a young Carlos, no older than four in the picture, massive curls, and a bright smile with missing teeth.

“Holy shit, Carlos,” TK breathes, letting go of him to get a closer look. “You’re adorable.”

“Oh god, please don’t look at that,” Carlos pleads as he tries to pull TK away from the picture.

“Not look at it?” TK questions incredulously. He turns to Carlos with wide exaggerated eyes. “Are you kidding? The first thing I’m going to do after you introduce me to your mom is ask her if she has a copy I can have,” he explains, grinning as Carlos scowls at him in return. “You’re the cutest thing ever!”

Lola snickers as Carlos turns a pretty shade of pink at his compliment; he goes to protest some more when they hear someone clear their throat behind them. Turning around, TK finds an attractive older woman with shoulder-length salt and pepper hair, a pretty face, with those familiar brown-eyes looking straight at him; she holds in her hands a tray of delicious smelling taquitos.

“I do have a copy of that photograph. If you really want it, it’s yours,” she promises, the corners of her mouth quirking upward when Carlos groans loudly.

“Mami, no,” he complains, making TK laugh.

“Yes, please,” he tells her, smiling back as her own smile grows.

Carlos comes to stand next to him, wrapping an arm around his waist. “I didn’t bring you here to gang up on me,” he tells him with a pout.

“No, you brought him here to meet me after keeping him a secret,” Carlos’ mother reminds him sternly.

“Mami – “ Carlos whines before letting out a dramatic sigh. “Mami, this is TK Strand, TK, my beautiful, forgiving mother, Carlota Reyes.”

Lola snickers to the left of them. “Suck up.”

TK lets out a nervous laugh, as Carlos makes a face at his sister and his mother shakes her head. “It’s very nice to meet you, ma’am. Thank you for inviting me to your party.”

“Thank you for coming,” Carlota says politely. “Do you eat meat, TK?”

“I limit how much of it I eat for work, but yes,” TK answers, curious why she’s asking.

Carlota holds up the tray of food in her hands. “I’m about to take this outside for the potluck; would you taste it first?”

TK looks at Carlos for a moment, getting a pleased smile out of him. “I learned to cook from my mom, and you like my cooking.”

“That I do,” TK answers; now that he doesn’t walk out of Carlos’ dinners, he’s learned that Carlos is a fantastic cook, everything he makes, TK loves. He steps forward, taking a taquito from the top of the tray and eating half in a bite.

Carlos, Lola, and Carlota watch him as he chews, waiting for his verdict.

“Well?” Carlota questions, curious.

TK finishes the rest of the taquito, going as far as licking his thumb. “That is probably the best thing I have ever had in my mouth,” he answers truthfully.

“Beaten out by a taco for that honor, “ Lola says wickedly without missing a step. “Gotta be pretty embarrassing, bro.”

“Lola, you absolute brat,” Carlos hisses over his sister’s unrepentant laughter, while TK chokes, blushing furiously.

Carlota shakes her head, taking a step forward, she places a hand on his arm as TK finally stops coughing. “It’s times like this that I don’t claim them as mine,” she says with him with wry amusement. “Come with me, mijo, I’ll introduce you to the neighbors while the children fight.”

Carlos lets out a protesting sound, whether for being called a child or because his mother is guiding him out of the house, TK isn’t sure. He catches up to them in a few steps, throwing an arm around his shoulders. TK wraps his own arm around Carlos’ waist, feeling comforted by having him at his side again.

“You’re not going to say anything about Lola being a jerk, Mami?” Carlos pouts at his mother, and TK once again is struck by how different he is around his family and just how cute he finds it that he’s not as calm and collected as he usually seems.

“It was funny,” Lola complains, bringing up the rear as they head towards the crowd.

Carlota rolls her eyes, ignoring them both in favor of waving at a few neighbors. “If you two could start behaving, that would be great,” she tells them. “The neighbors are used to your spectacles, but TK is looking a little flustered,” she continues, nodding towards him before continuing towards a set of tables at the edge of the street with food on it. Lola follows her, but Carlos holds him in place, keeping him from doing the same.

“I’m sorry if that made you uncomfortable,” Carlos rushes to say when TK looks at him; out of the corner of his eye, he sees both Carlos’ mom and sister sneaking looks back at them. “Lola just likes to tease me.”

“You said your other sisters are the same,” TK reminds him, getting a grimace back.

“Yeah,” Carlos agrees, still making a face. “Maybe this wasn’t the best idea after all.”

TK frowns at that.

“We’re going to scare you away with our crazy,” Carlos continues, explaining, and TK feels his insides squeeze at the worry he hears in Carlos’ voice.

“Hey,” he says softly, cupping Carlos’ cheek. “I’m made of stronger stuff,” he jokes lightly. “It will take more than outrageous sisters with admittedly wicked burns to send me running.”

“Don’t you dare encourage her behavior by letting her believe you think she’s funny,” Carlos says sternly, and the laughter that has been threatening to bubble up finally spills.

“Great,” he continues dryly, his arms going around him as TK laughs into his chest. “Pick her side.”

“So pouty,” TK teases, still chuckling as he lifts his head to grin up at Carlos. “Who knew you were so cute like this.”.

“You’re enjoying this,” Carlos accuses him with narrowed eyes. TK shrugs a shoulder, not bothering to deny it. He’s still nervous about pulling this off without Carlos’ family and friends realizing that they’re faking the seriousness of their relationship. Still, TK finds interacting with Carlos’ family entertaining so far, especially because of the opportunity to see Carlos’s more playful, silly side.

“Yeah, you’re enjoying me being embarrassed a little too much,” Carlos continues as TK grins. “Well, come on then, might as well keep your entertainment going.”

Carlos’ dry voice makes TK chuckle, and he finds himself tilting his head, making up for the inch of height difference between them. Carlos’ mouth lifts at the corners as he closes the tiny gap between them, brushing his lips against his a few times, causing TK’s lips to tingle from the light contact. He lets out a sound from the back of his throat that has Carlos smiling against his mouth. TK groans in response to the teasing, wanting more than anything to deepen the kiss but knowing they can’t. Not when they’re around people who have known Carlos since he was a kid.

“Introduce me to your friends before we give them a show they’ll never let you live down,” he whispers, taking a step back out of Carlos’ hold.

Carlos groans softly before taking his hand and walks him towards his neighbors.

For the next hour, TK plays the attentive boyfriend, sticking close to Carlos as he gets introduced to his nearest and dearest. He listens as the older neighbors who watched Carlos grow up tell him about a playful younger version of the man holding him. Kind and helpful, bringing in groceries for the older folks on the block and getting paid back in cookies. TK enjoys as the comments make Carlos blush. And he smiles as the kids on the block all come around to say hi to Carlos, some trying to climb him as they hug him. It’s obvious to TK, Carlos is well-loved by his community.

He meets Carlos’ other two sisters, and like Lola, they take great joy in messing with Carlos about him, making teasing comments that make even TK blush, much to their delight. Carlos scowls at them over every comment pleasing them even further.

In response, TK is even more affectionate with Carlos, snuggling to his side, kissing him under his jaw to ease the sting of his sisters’ teasing, earning a happy smile from him, and even more ribbing from the Reyes women. He likes them; he likes how they tease with love, bright smiles on their faces, their eyes full of affection and easy acceptance of him in Carlos’ life. It becomes clear that if he makes Carlos happy, he’s welcomed into the fold.

It makes something ache inside TK to know all of this is for show, and he realizes quickly he’s not the only one feeling this way.

He can see the situation getting to Carlos the more his mother smiles in their direction. When she starts talking about Sunday dinner and how Carlos needs to bring TK for the next one, he can feel Carlos tense under his hand as TK tells her that he works long hours, and they’ll have to check with the station’s schedule for him first.

“You know, you didn’t give me the house tour earlier,” he says to Carlos, his tone flirty, but his expression meaningful as he turns to him. He can start to see the cracks in Carlos.

“That’s code for ‘take me to your teenage bed,’” Valentina says dryly, proving she’s just as bad as Lola, while Sofía, the quietest of the sisters, snorts into her drink.

“I thought that was clear,” he says with a smirk as he looks at them over his shoulder, his smile growing as they both roll their eyes at them.

“Go,” Sofía shoos them away, amused. “Go make out with your boyfriend. Lola was right, your love is nauseating.”

“They’re just jealous we’re so cute,” TK tells Carlos, laughing when they boo him. “Shall we?”

Carlos nods, turning them in the direction of his mother’s house. They walk towards it quickly, smiling back at the neighbors they make eye contact with, but the moment they’re inside the house, TK feels Carlos deflate under his touch.

“Oh man,” he exhales tiredly, walking away from him and down the hall.

TK hesitates for a moment but eventually follows him towards the far end of the house. He looks inside the room Carlos has gone into, obviously his, by the band posters and multiple sports-related paraphernalia on the walls.

In the middle of the room, Carlos sits on a twin-sized bed.

“So this is your room,” TK comments, moving to a wall with trophies and awards both in academics and sports.

“Yeah, Mami has kept all our rooms the same even after all of us left for college,” Carlos tells him with a small smile. “We tell her to turn them into something else now that we’re all moved out, but she says they’re our rooms, and that’s how they’ll stay.”

“That’s really sweet of her,” TK says softly as he comes to sit down next to him. “She’s really nice, and so are your sisters even if they really enjoy messing with you,” he smirks, remembering all the jokes the sisters have had tonight. “I like them.”

“And they like you,” Carlos says with an exhale. “Which isn’t surprising at all.”

TK bites his lip, not knowing what to say, the words sound positive, but Carlos’ tone tells him it’s anything but.

“I hate lying to them, TK,” Carlos looks at him with a frown. “They probably think we’re in love, and I hate how easy it was to fool them.”

TK swallows hard at that particular word Carlos uses. Love. It sends his pulse racing in a way he’s not prepared for.  “You can tell them the truth,” he suggests gently. “You can tell them we are still figuring us out.”

“That’s not really true either, is it?” Carlos answers, giving him a sad smile. “We’re not figuring anything out. I know how I feel about you, and you know that you don’t want anything more serious than what we have.”

“How do you feel about me?” TK whispers hesitantly, his heart thundering under his chest at the look Carlos gives him.

“Come on, TK, you have to know,” Carlos whispers back, sighing when TK doesn’t say anything. “Fine. I’m willing to settle for a small piece of you, because even that little piece, is better than not having you at all. That’s how I feel about you.”

 ֍֍֍

 The drive back to TK’s is a quiet one; after Carlos’ confession leaves them in awkward silence, they return to the party playing the happy couple until they’re able to escape. Carlota and the sisters give him an affectionate good-bye, telling him they hope to see him soon. It hurts in a way TK isn’t ready for.

Carlos pulls the car to a stop in front of TK’s home and turns off the engine.

“Are we going to talk about this?” TK asks quietly when a few minutes pass, and nothing is said.

“Yes,” Carlos answers finally, just as soft. When he turns his head to look at TK, he aches from how tired Carlos looks. “But can it not be tonight?” there is a quiet plea in his voice that TK can’t deny.

“Okay,” he says, reaching for the door handle.

“Hey,” Carlos starts, touching his arm, reeling him back before he can get out. “Thanks for coming tonight.”

“I – “ he starts helplessly, it feels suddenly like there is this giant drift between them. Something he’s never felt before, and he doesn’t know how to fix it.

Carlos seems to understand instantly and, as usual, tries to make it better. “Come here,” he murmurs, tugging him forward. TK closes his eyes, feeling the sting behind them as Carlos gives him the softest of kisses.

“Whatever you decide about us,” he whispers as he presses his forehead against his. “I’m here for you either way, okay?”

TK lets out a soft sound, swallowing hard around the lump forming in his throat.

Carlos makes a sound of his own, pressing his forehead a little harder against TK’s for a moment before moving back. “You should go,” he whispers. “Get some rest.”

“Carlos – ” TK tries again, no less sure of what he wants to say or how to mend the drift that keeps growing with every passing second between them.

Carlos just gives him a slight smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Good night, Tyler.”

Knowing that he has nothing to say to make it better right now, not when he doesn’t even know what he’s feeling, TK reaches for the door again. “Good night, Carlos,” he sighs before stepping out of the car.

He walks up the driveway to the front door, pausing when he opens it to look back, not surprised in the least that Carlos is waiting until he’s safely inside.

He enters the house and leans against the closed door with a heavy sigh. Resting there for a moment, he tries to work through the whole evening and, in the end, gets nowhere. He hears movement in the distance and follows it; walking through the house, he finds his father sitting at the island counter in the middle of the kitchen, stirring his tea.

“Hey, kid,” his father greets him with an easy smile. “Didn’t expect to see you tonight.”

“Why not?” he questions, opening the fridge to get a water bottle.

“Because you were out with a certain Austin Police officer, and you have a tendency to come home late or not at all when you’re out with him,” Owen answers bluntly, smiling brightly when he chokes on his water.

“You know,” TK gets out after a series of coughs.

“That you’re messing around with Officer Reyes?” Owen questions, his tone disbelieving. “Of course I know.”

“Then what was that the other day when he came to see me?” TK asks back. “You made it awkward on purpose.”

“That was me messing with you,” Owen answers without shame, his blue eyes dancing with amusement.

TK rolls his eyes. “Thanks, dad,” he says dryly as he comes to sit down next to him with a heavy sigh.

“Did something happen, TK?” Owen asks him, frowning as TK runs a hand over his face and through his hair.

“You could say that,” he says tiredly, staring at the counter. He closes his eyes when he feels his father’s hand on his neck, giving it an encouraging squeeze.

“Tell me,” Owen says softly, and TK does. The story just pours out of him. How he and Carlos started, the botched dinner he walked out of. Getting arrested, and the conversation between him and Carlos at the station. Them starting over, with no commitment, just friends and casual sex. How getting caught by Carlos’ neighbor ended with playing the loving boyfriend to Carlos’ family and friends tonight, and finally, he tells his dad, Carlos’ world-tilting confession.

“Wow,” his father blinks a few times as he stares at him; it makes TK chuckle without humor.

“That’s all you got, dad?” he questions. “I tell you that I have a ‘friends with benefits’ situation going with Carlos. That we played fake-boyfriends to his very nice family, which I enjoyed more than I should have. He then basically tells me that he only agreed to that because he has feelings for me, and went along with this because some of me is better than nothing. Which means I’m a selfish ass for not realizing sooner that this whole situation has been for my benefit, and Carlos gets nothing out of it but hurt, and all you can say is wow?”

“You’re not a selfish ass,” Owen says seriously, reaching out to touch his forearm when TK shakes his head. “You didn’t know how Carlos really felt until tonight.”

“I should have though,” he argues back, realizing how true it is. Everything Carlos does, from cooking for them after their shifts even though he’s tired himself. Listening to TK and never once judging him for his past. The sex, which TK now realizes even from the very first time, has never been just sex, not once. Carlos has cared about him from the start, it’s always been there, but because he was nursing a broken heart, he ignored it, wanting the comfort Carlos gave him. “He’s so good to me, dad. So kind.”

“Yeah, I can see that,” Owen agrees with a soft smile. “I like the kid.”

“I like him too,” TK whispers. “A lot.”

“But?” his dad questions.

“But what if I’m too messed up and broken to really try this?” he asks, swallowing hard around the question.

Owen shakes his head at him, frowning. “You aren’t a mess or broken, TK.”

TK sighs. “Dad – “

“No, listen to me,” Owen cuts him off with a stern expression on his face. “I get that this is about your addiction and about Alex. I get it. But your past doesn’t make you a mess. You fight your addiction every damn day, you’re a survivor, TK.”

TK takes a shaky breath, his eyes stinging from his dad’s words. Looking at his father, he can see that he’s holding back the tears too.

“And Alex didn’t break you,” Owen continues gently. “He bruised you up a bit, but you’re not broken, kid, not one bit. If he did, you wouldn’t be able to care about Carlos the way you obviously do.”

“But what if I try, and I mess it up?” TK whispers, giving voice to his fears.

Owen smiles at him with understanding. “What’s scarier, TK? Being with Carlos and making a mistake,” he pauses, his blue eyes serious, his next words freezing the air in TK’s lungs. “Or not trying at all, and losing out completely on the great guy you’ve obviously fallen for?”

TK stares at his dad, and this time when his eyes burn, he doesn’t hold back the tears that roll down his cheek. “Damn, dad,” he says softly, wiping at his face. “Way to not soften the blow.”

Owen chuckles gently, his expression loving, supportive, and a little amused. TK smiles back, knowing the answer.

“Can I borrow your car?” he questions, earning a large smile from Owen in return as he digs into his pocket. He places his keys in TK’s hand.

“Go get your guy.”

 ֍֍֍

 The drive over to Carlos’ is a quick one, but that doesn’t mean TK doesn’t have enough time to second-guess himself and work his nerves up into a frenzy. By the time he pulls into Carlos’ driveway, he’s practically vibrating with nervous energy.

He bounces up the small pathway and knocks on the door sharply before he can stop himself to think that Carlos might be in bed. It takes a few minutes for the living room lights to go on, and maybe another minute before the door opens.

“TK?” Carlos questions, his expression tired and confused. He’s shirtless, just a pair of soft-looking sleeping shorts on. TK looks at his face, and his heart lurches; underneath the tiredness, Carlos’ eyes look red and a little puffy. “What – “

TK doesn’t let him finish, Carlos has obviously cried tonight, and he’s the reason. He takes a step forward, wrapping his arms around Carlos’ waist, hoping his hug is welcomed.

He feels Carlos tense up, jerking in surprise. TK holds his breath, letting it out in a hard exhale when Carlos finally wraps his arms around TK’s shoulders and hugs him back tightly.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, baby,” he whispers over and over into the crook of Carlos’ neck. His heart thundering with gratitude when Carlos’ body loses more of its tension.

Carlos sighs against the side of TK’s face. “You don’t have to apologize,” he whispers into his skin.

“I do,” TK answers, pulling back to look at Carlos. “I have been hurting you, and that’s the last thing in the world I want to do, Carlos. You have to know that.”

Carlos sighs again, taking a step back out of TK’s hold. “Come in,” he says, gesturing at the living room.

TK passes Carlos and sits on the couch, licking his lips nervously as he waits for Carlos to join him. He turns to face him when Carlos sits down.

“You’ve been crying,” TK says as he takes Carlos in again, his stomach twists when Carlos just shrugs in response. “I’m sorry.”

Carlos shakes his head. “You don’t have to apologize,” he tells him quietly. “You can’t help how you feel or don’t feel about me. I knew what I was getting into. I knew you just wanted to keep this light. I’m the one that went along and fell for you anyway.”

TK takes a sharp inhale, feeling his heart soar at Carlos’ words. Before coming over, he knew that Carlos had feelings for him, to hear him be so honest sends a spike of fear, but even more powerful is the sense of joy that overcomes him.

“Carlos,” TK starts, reaching out to take his hand, grateful when Carlos lets him, even going as far as covering it with his own. “You have to understand I didn’t plan for you at all,” he tells him, swallowing around the lump in his throat before he continues. “I came to Austin nursing a broken heart that wrecked me so bad I lost years of sobriety over it. Getting involved with anyone so quickly after my breakup was the last thing on my mind, especially with someone as wonderful as you. All I have been focusing on is my pain, and trying to keep my head above water.”

“I know that, sweetheart. I know you’ve been hurting badly; it takes time to heal,” Carlos squeezes his hand, and his expression is so full of understanding and compassion, it leaves TK in awe, and well, in love.

“That’s just it, though,” he says quickly, leaning forward in his rush to explain how things have changed. “I don’t hurt when I’m with you. When I think about you, I get excited about the next time I’m going to see you. And then when we spend time together, I’m filled with warmth and contentment,” he smiles, mostly at himself; he’s been an idiot not to realize this sooner. “For a while now, you, Carlos Reyes, have been the definition of happiness for me.”

“Really?” Carlos whispers, his expression tentative and hopeful.

TK nods, he raises their joined hands to his chest. “I have to admit that it’s scared me; I didn’t plan to care for anyone the way I care for you.”

“I don’t want you to be scared, TK,” Carlos answers quietly.

TK smiles again. “I’m always going to be a little scared, Carlos,” he says, reaching out to touch his cheek, swallowing a sigh when Carlos instantly leans into the touch. “How I feel about you means that you have the power to hurt me.”

Carlos opens his mouth, but TK continues before he can say anything.

“Caring about you also means being terrified of messing this up,” he says carefully.

“I worry about that too,” Carlos answers. “I don’t want to push you into something you might not be ready for.”

“You haven’t,” TK reassures him. Carlos has been letting him set the rules and the speed to them from the start. Even now, TK knows that if he tells him he’s not ready yet, Carlos will be nothing but understanding.

“I told my dad about tonight – well, I told him about everything,” he confesses, laughing softly at the surprised look Carlos gives him. “Yeah. By the way, he already knew we’re involved and was messing with us the other day,” he tells him, grinning when Carlos cringes. “Anyway, my dad asked what was scarier, giving us a fair shot and making mistakes along the way – or not trying at all. Not making any mistakes but also losing out on the chance of us being amazing together.”

Carlos visibly swallows before shifting closer into TK’s space. TK follows until their faces are inches away. “So, what’s the answer?”

TK smiles, his heart racing when Carlos does the same as he gets closer still. Carlos lets out a soft puff of air when TK brushes his lips against his. The kiss is chaste and unhurried.

“Tyler – “ he sighs when TK ends the kiss to rub his nose against his. “Are you sure?”

TK pulls back to make sure Carlos is looking at him. “Yes, I am. I want this. I want us,” he answers, relieved by how sure he feels. He licks his lips before biting down on the bottom one. “I mean – if that’s what you want too.”

Carlos lets out a huff, but the smile on his face is so bright it could rival the sun. “Keep up, Strand,” he teases, tugging TK forward again until their mouths are pressed against each other. “It’s all I want,” he says between them.

TK grins into the kiss Carlos gives him, moaning softly when their mouths part and their tongues dance over the other. The kiss goes from zero to sixty in a second, and TK finds himself groaning in pleasure from the wet heat of Carlos’ mouth and the hard press of his frame as he pushes him back on the couch, covering him with his half-naked body.

“Wait,” he gets out, letting out a breath as Carlos quickly unbuttons his shirt and starts kissing down his chest. “Baby, wait. I have something to ask you.”

Carlos whines, flicking his tongue over TK’s left nipple, causing him to gasp, his body responding instantly before Carlos pulls up to look at him expectantly.

TK lets out a shaky breath as he takes him in, his skin flushed, his warm brown eyes a few shades darker, and so much love and desire for him on his face that TK has to wonder how even for a second, he thought he could do without this.

“Wanna be my boyfriend?” he asks, laughing joyfully as Carlos lights up, both of them remembering how he asked this just a few days ago. “For real this time?”

Carlos presses into him more, his muscular body anchoring TK to the couch, enveloping him in his warmth. His face, inches away from his as he smiles sweetly at him, and TK knows he loves him.

“There’s nothing, TK Strand,” he answers, his beautiful brown eyes shining. “That I want more.”

[meloingly]

Clumsy Your Way Into My Heart

@carlosreyesweek​ Day 6: AU!!!

Summary: When Carlos first volunteered to go grocery shopping for the station, he didn’t think he would be overthinking it as much as he is right now.

Cereal box shenanigans and loads of blushing later:

Carlos finds that he’s much calmer than he’s ever been since he got here. Maybe overthinking about food isn’t as bad as he thought it would be.

Tags: Carlos Reyes, TK Strand, Mentioned Owen Strand, Mentioned Paul Strickland, Mentioned Marjan Marwani, Mentioned Mateo Chavez, Mentioned Judd Ryder, Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting, Alternate Universe - Grocery Store, Clumsy Boys, Firefighter Carlos Reyes,, Police Officer TK Strand, Pre-Relationship, Flirting.

Warnings: Blushing and clumsiness.

At the moment in which I'm writing this, this fic has been started less than 24 hours ago and was completed 10 minutes ago. My beta is going through it right now and I'm getting AO3 and Tumblr ready. As we've found out, AU is my kryptonite.

The hugest, and largest thanks and love to the one and only @lire-casander. The amount of love and support that I get from this woman is unbelievable. The help she's been on this fic alone is insane, let alone with everything else that I do. She's been a guide and a friend and this would not have happened without you <3

Read on AO3.

---

When Carlos first volunteered to go grocery shopping for the station, he didn’t think he would be overthinking it as much as he is right now. And yet he keeps remembering how Marjan can only eat halal food and Mateo is lactose sensitive, Paul likes spicy food but Judd can’t handle any. Captain Tommy -he still needs some time to get used to her not wanting to be called by her last name- likes white bread while his own soon-to-return Captain Strand won’t eat anything that isn’t full-grain. So he keeps getting more food, and more food, and more food.

He started out shopping like he usually would, keeping in mind the slight dietary restrictions; a few vegetables and fruits, several dairy and soy products, some poultry. And then he came to the realisation that it would be better if he bought food for more than one day’s meals. And then his brain supplied the wonderful what if I want to make a dish and I can’t find canned peeled cherry tomatoes, which he knows is not only highly specific but also highly unlikely. And yet he now finds himself dragging a cart on the verge of overflowing. And he’s still got seven more aisles to go.

He's so focused on studying the displayed boxes of cereal that spread across half an aisle, holding two different brands in his hands and moving right and left to compare them with others, that he doesn't notice a whole other human being on the way until he’s being run over by flesh and bones.

They immediately get into a fumbling battle, legs somehow holding up. The boxes in Carlos’ slip, so do the other person’s. Carlos manages to catch two cartoons, the faint recognition that one of them is sugar flakes -which he didn’t pick- runs through his mind before he focuses on yet another cartoon making its descent through the sky. He steps forward, and so does the other person. They crash in the middle, chest to chest. And this time, they all come crashing to the ground.

Carlos lands on a knee, hands already going out to hold onto the boxes, when a body slams into his. He drops the box, holding onto the waist person that’s half splayed on him now. He follows the flat chest, taking note of the APD logo on the side of his shirt and the rainbow pinned next to it, to the bare beginnings of a stubble, up across thin, pink lips and a sharp nose, to end at mesmerising green eyes.

It takes all of his will power not to gasp, but he can't stop the dropped jaw. The man is beautiful. There's no other way to describe him. His light brown hair lays a mess on top of his head, his green eyes sparkle with a mix of shock and surprise, and his teeth seem to find relief in sinking into his lower lip.

He feels movement around him, and then a hand makes its way between them and lays on his shoulder. He feels the pressure on his chest give way, manifesting as an exhale from the man. Carlos realises that he’s been holding his breath too, and sighs, his exhale mingling with the man’s inhale. And then a cart crashes behind them, and they realise they’re sitting on the floor of a grocery store in the middle of the day. Their bubble crashes.

“I’m so sorry, I’m so clumsy I can’t believe this happened!” The man says as he fully pushes off Carlos, eye contact breaking to pick up the dropped boxes. The apology finally breaks through Carlos’ hazy mind, and he let’s go of the man’s shirt, coming to a stand as well as he picks up the remaining boxes.

“Oh no, no! It’s my fault, I wasn’t looking,” he states, finally straightening up. "Good save, officer,” he adds as he steps back before he can even think about.

The man's eyes snap back to him, widening in shock before his face breaks into a small smile and then his head falls forward, chuckling and shaking his head. Carlos finds himself snickering as well.

"I can say the same to you, firefighter," the man says, nodding his chin towards Carlos' own AFD shirt.

Carlos looks at his own shirt before he looks back at the man. He feels like he knows him, he's seen him before, but he can't remember where or when. But the green eyes bore into his very soul, so he looks down at his hands instead, finally noticing the box of organic multi-bran flakes.

"Uhh, these are yours? I'm guessing?"

The man looks at Carlos' hands, eyes and mouth opening is recognition. "Yeah, those are my dad's. A disgrace to the very idea of flakes," he adds as he glares at the box.

“They’re not that bad,” Carlos laughs, and the glare redirects itself from the box to Carlos. Which makes him cut himself mid-laugh, only to dissolve into chuckles again when the man cracks the smallest of smiles.

“Are you just saying that or have you actually tried them?”

“I’ve tried them, my captain back at the station likes them,” he replies, moving a step back to drag his cart closer. “I even got a box here,” he gestures to the cartoon laying on top of the mountain.

“Pfft, and I thought my dad was the only one crazy enough to like these. Good to know there’s someone else like him in here,” he shakes his head in amusement, a sentiment Carlos shares. Of everything he was imagining when he moved states to join the 126, he wasn’t expecting to be talking to a cute officer in the middle of the grocery store, discussing cereal of all things.

The man takes a few steps back, reaching behind the corner of the aisle and dragging a cart up next to him. Carlos extends an arm to him, handing over the box, which he takes and drops into his cart.

Carlos can’t help but sneak a peek into it. There’s a very obvious mix of junk food and snacks, and healthy organic and full-grain foods. It reminds him of his new Captain. He hasn’t interacted with him much, the man getting injured a mere day after Carlos got transferred. But the rest of the crew has given him a list of all the dietary preferences, Captain’s included.

He looks up at the man, finding him alternating between looking at the ground and the shelves. Carlos has noticed that he already has three boxes of cereal, he couldn’t possibly need more. He looks like he wants to say something, or maybe he’s reading it wrong and he wants to move away. Either way, he decides to take a plunge. He’s already moved half-way through the country in a leap of faith, why not take another one?

“I’m Carlos, by the way,” he extends an arm to the man, “Reyes, of AFD.”

The smile that he receives tells him that it’s the right choice. The other man extends his arm, hand wrapping around Carlos’ in a warm embrace. If this is how his hand feels, Carlos can’t even imagine what a hug would feel like.

“Hello, Carlos, I’m TK,” he gives their hands a shake. “Strand, of APD.”

Carlos is so enamoured with the man’s -TK’s- eyes and smile that it takes him a moment to register the name. But once he does, he can’t help the quick and rapid blinking he does to clear his mind.

“Wait, did you just say Strand?”

“Uhh,” TK blinks back at him, turning his head to a side as his eyelids flutter in confusion. “Yeah?”

Carlos doesn’t pay him much mind though, what are the chances of this happening?

“Is your father Owen Strand? Captain of the 126?”

“Yeah, that’s my dad, how did you know that?” All of the confusion that was mildly visible on TK’s face is now showcased a full one hundred per cent, both in his facial expressions and tone of voice.

“He’s my captain!” Carlos exclaims. “I work with the 126 too!”

It seems to take TK a moment to come to terms with what Carlos is saying. But the moment drags on so long that he begins to think he just got this awfully wrong. He’s about to disentangle their still bound hands when clarity finally shines on TK’s face and he breaks into a wide grin.

“You’re the new guy from New Jersey,” he says around a smile. Carlos is confused for just a second, wondering how he knows about his previous state of residence when TK continues talking. “My dad told me all about you! He can’t wait to get back tomorrow and work with you again. Said he only had to see you on one call and he knew he made the right choice asking you to join the 126.”

Carlos feels the blush rising up the back of his neck and into the highs of his cheeks, but he can’t really stop it. He knows he’s good at his job, he knows he’s a decent firefighter. But having the son of his Captain relay what said Captain said brings a sense of belonging and validation he didn’t think he’d get a mere three weeks on the job.

“He… he said that?” he asks. He needs to know. He’s been worried, stressing himself out of his mind in fear that he’s not showing the best of his abilities. Not only did he travel 1.5 thousand miles from one border of the country to another, he also took a job with a team that’s already well-formed and perfectly working without him. They didn’t ask for him because they needed him, they asked for him because they just wanted to. And he’s constantly aware of that whenever they’re on a call and everyone is on top of what they need to be doing.

“Yeah, man, he did!” TK says. He then takes another look at Carlos, and he can only guess that he can read minds. “He said you’re sharp, careful and smart. You think twice as hard and act twice as fast. He said you carry the job like it should be, with respect and responsibility,” he smiles at Carlos, closing the step between them and bringing a hand up to run the back of his fingers across the logo on his shirt.

Carlos brings his own hand up, covering TK’s -one of many things he’s done before his consciousness can think it out today. TK’s eyes glance over their hands before they stare up into him, the faint emerald greens ripping his insecurities and uncertainties into shreds with each passing second.

“Thank you,” he whispers. He can’t talk any louder when they’re this close. “I needed to know that.”

The smile he gets in reply is worth the distance he travelled. TK drifts his gaze down Carlos’ face, and he copies the action. He finds TK’s lower lip hidden between the bite of his upper teeth, and he can’t help but imagine what they would feel like holding onto his own.

“Excuse me!”

Carlos snaps his head to the side, a woman with bright red hair standing there glaring at both of them. He sneaks a quick glance at TK, both of them stepping back as she steps forward, reaching between them to grab a box of cereal before she dumps it into her cart and moves along. He follows her until she turns the corner, no longer in his visual field, before he turns back to a blushing TK.

He provides a small, pained smile, and Carlos laughs at the expression he’s presented with. They’ve been caught in two of these situations so far, and they’ve only met for minutes. Carlos supposes it would be embarrassing if it wasn’t for the pull he feels towards the man. The pull that has both of them stepping forward again, until there’s barely a foot of distance between them.

“So, you’ve been here for three weeks, right?” TK asks. Carlos knows TK knows the answer. Captain Strand sprained his shoulder on Carlos’ first day here, and that was three weeks ago. He nods anyway.

“So, I’m guessing you haven’t seen much of the city yet?”

A twinkle of hope starts to bubble in Carlos’ chest. He has a faint inkling of where this is going, but he isn’t sure. He can only wish and pray.

“No, not really. I’ve been to a couple of places with the crew, that’s it,” he answers, pausing for a moment to take a breath. “I haven’t found a tour guide yet.”

TK chuckles at him, the sound sending waves of happiness through Carlos, even as TK shakes his head at him. “Well, then, I have a proposition for you, Firefighter Reyes.”

Carlos is playing into it without a moment to think. “Oh, do you now, Police Officer Strand?”

TK is nodding back at Carlos before the words are even out of his mouth.

“How about this: I’ll be your tour guide.”

Carlos looks up at the ceiling of the store, rubbing a hand through his chin and humming as feigns thinking. “What would your payment be?” he asks.

“You let me take you out for coffee,” TK says around a smirk. All pretence of a game falls through shambles immediately, and they’re back into an intense round of gazing into each other eyes. Almost as if they can read each other through them.

“Can I bargain for a cheesecake?”

The question seems to come out of nowhere and throw TK off his track. His eyes widen for a moment before he’s bursting into laughs. The loud, booming kind with the head thrown back and hands bracing his own chest. Carlos smiles at the sight, the closed eyes, the exposed neck, the sound that carries absolute joy; it’s a view he wants to see for the entire rest of his life.

“Ahh, that can definitely be arranged,” TK says once he manages to stop laughing.

Carlos doesn’t reply. Instead, he takes his phone from his pocket, opening the contact app and handing it over. TK takes it, types a few buttons and gives it back. Carlos looks at the screen to see that he’s calling a number. A number that’s been saved under TK Strand Grocery Officer.

A phone ringing has him lifting his head, just in time to see TK pull out his own phone, decline the call and press a few more times on the screen. He then turns it around showing Carlos his own number saved as Carlos Reyes Grocery Fire.

“I think there should be a fighter in there,” he comments, much to the amusement of TK.

“Naaah. That might be your job,” he replies, looking Carlos up and down. “But you’re straight fire.”

As if on command, said fire burns through his face as he blushes yet again. This time he doesn’t resist the urge to hide his face, lifting his hands to cover the warmth he can feel spreading to the tips of his ears. He hears a chuckle he knows is TK’s behind his shield. He doesn’t know how this happened, but he’s sure he’ll be able to recognise the sound out of a crowd of a hundred people.

He feels hands touch his fingers wrapping around his palm as they pull away from his face. TK then rests a hand on his cheek, and Carlos leans into it, eyes locked onto each other.

“I need to go. Call me?” Tk asks, voice flowing like butter.

“You can arrest me if I don’t, officer,” Carlos replies, voice just as soft.

TK nods as he takes a deep breath, the smile never leaving his face.

“That’s a good idea. After all, I do where you work”

From anyone else, that sentence would sound creepy and send Carlos running. But from TK it sounds like a promise he doesn’t want to lose. “Okay.”

With a final glance, TK steps back, breaking all contact they have together. Carlos misses the touch half a second after it’s gone. He moves back, grabbing his cart. He slowly steps forward, moving towards the registers. As he passes Carlos’ cart, he stops to peek into it before he turns back to him.

“Buy my dad cashew nuts and you’ll be his favourite tomorrow.”

As he moves away with a final smile thrown his way, Carlos finds that he’s much calmer than he’s ever been since he got here. Maybe overthinking about food isn’t as bad as he thought it would be.

[smolbeandrabbles]

Black Coffee - Nolan Sorrento x Reader (Ready Player One)

GIF Credit: X

@mandy23b​ @wltz-bby​ @happyskywhale​ #MendoTagSquad!

Nolan Sorrento + 15 - “I’d kill for a coffee... literally.” Yo @mendelskrull -  I remember a tag of yours once saying that you also love the CEO x PA trope, so I went full on with this! Please enjoy! 😘❤

Author’s Note: I think this was originally just meant to be a cute watching him make coffee scenario and then I kind kept building on it and now we have this. I’m really coming into my own with writing for him - considering how hard it’s been for me in the past...  Anyway, I really like this one. It was a lot of fun!

Disclaimer: RPO Characters not mine / lyrics not mine / gif credit as appropriate (Thanks again Joss!)

Premise: As much as you like bringing coffee to your CEO, it’s just as enjoyable when he returns the favour. Maybe you can persuade him that it’s not the only thing that can wake him up this morning... 

Words: 2580

Warnings: sexual connotations

_________ Day dreamin', chain smokin' Always laughin', always jokin' I remain the same Did I tell you that I love you? Brush your teeth and pour a cup of Black coffee out - I love to watch you do that every day The little things that you do Each moment is new Freeze the moment Each moment is cool Freeze the moment I wouldn't wanna be Anywhere else but here I wouldn't wanna change Anything at all

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Both of you were rushing. You weren’t exactly sure why, because the CEO of IOI was never late for anything, not even a supplier meeting – even when he was probably running five minutes behind schedule. You might shoulder the blame for trying to catch him just before he ought to be heading to it, but a certain someone decided to drag you into his office for a makeout session and now had to run halfway across the building to his meeting room. With you giving chase if only to go through what you ACTUALLY had to remind him of, and what you’d tried to catch him for in the first place. Eventually Nolan realised the same as you – he couldn’t be late! - and slowed down; heck, he didn’t want to turn up to a meeting out of breath as it was, that would raise a bunch of awkward questions. So you actually got to tick things off your list as he instructed you. And finally you got to the one you were the most curious about; “Oh! Nolan! Why does your dentist keep ringing? It’s the 5th time this week!” You’d had the note on your desk for the past few weeks, but it was always something he’d get to - you were started to get annoyed at having to pick up the phone to them. His face flushed, “Oh don’t worry about it!” “Well I do worry when I ring back and they’ll only talk to you!” You narrowed your eyes at him, “I’m your assistant Nolan, it’s literally my job to book things like this-!” “It’ll be okay!” He waved away your suggestion. “Really? Nolan! What are you doing to your teeth-?!” “Nothing-!” But his voice pitched and you reckoned that couldn’t be further from the truth. “Your teeth are fine the way they are! I like them...” Then your head tilted, “Well, okay, maybe if you smoked a little less.” He scoffed, giving you a sharp look, “That’s enough outta you!” But you thought it was important to also keep his health at the forefront of your mind. Nolan’s smoking habit was casual, but he still did it.

As you rounded the corner to the meeting room Nolan stopped dead, and it became clear that he hadn’t made a note of exactly what he was about to walk into. “Oh god who invited them-!” No, they certainly weren’t one of his favourite vendors, he’d made that apparent when he asked you to book it in. “Uhhh, it’s been on your calendar for like 2 weeks.” “Really?!” “Mhm - I did remind you yesterday morning.” “I was a little... distracted yesterday morning.” He better not have been blaming you again. “Uh huh.” You pushed the folder in your hands into his arms, and waited for his hesitant hands to take it, this was only one part of what he needed and you needed Nolan to focus on you right now so you could hand it all over, “Go get ‘em.” It was at least a little sarcastic, he would hate every second. “Oh god…” He blew out a breath, free hand to his forehead, “I’d kill for a coffee... literally.” - yeah, it’d be them being killed, too. “Black?” It was like an instant response, with a soft smile  He smiled, “You know my order by now, c’mon.” “Well,” you grinned “just wanted to check you didn’t want it extra strong-!” You knew how much Nolan hated this particular group of suppliers. “Ehh, good call, wouldn’t go amiss-!” “Will you need anything else, Sir?” You handed his tablet over, files he’d need for the meeting already pulled up, awaiting him to call upon them. “No, thank you Y/N, this should be sufficient.” You smiled sweetly, the gentle touch to his arm encouraging, “You’ve got this.” His hand hovered over yours for a minute, but he didn’t touch you – remembering himself, “I surely have.” You liked the confidence in his smile. You gave a nod, turning to leave and then back to him; “Should I get one for anyone else?” For one, you knew that to bring him one you would have to walk into the meeting with it – and people would become curious as to why they weren’t all being offered coffee. Nolan immediately scoffed; “NO.” You sighed, knowing that was hardly the way to treat important guests even if he despised them, “I’ll have some sent up and I’ll go out for yours.” He nodded in agreement, “This is the kind of thinking I hired you for, right?” There was a sudden glint in your eyes that made Nolan shiver; “Sure, if that’s what you tell yourself.” But immediately that sugar sweet smile was back “I’ll make sure I don’t send up the good coffee!” Then you winked, “Have a good meeting, Sir.” You got halfway down the corridor before you remembered one last important thing coming up; and luckily, as you expected, Nolan was watching you leave. He always was predictable. “Oh! You’re ready for the conference next week, right?” “Yeah! Yeah! It’s gonna be a good one - presentation and notes being reviewed as we speak-!” “As long as you’re on top of things-!” You nodded and turned to go make him coffee, but Nolan called you back. “Oh! Y/N!” “Mhm?” “You are coming to the conference with me, right? I’m gonna need someone to keep track of things for me...” You smiled “Yes, I’m going with you. That is my job, Sir.” Nolan nodded, mind already wandering, “Good... that’s good.” “Anything else?” “No, no, Y/N - carry on-!”

 *** The conference was four days long, starting on a Sunday of all days. Which meant you both arrived on Saturday, to give you a day to settle in. Two rooms were always booked, only one was ever used. You thought you were either IOI’s best kept, or worst kept, secret. No one ever acted like they knew, or even hinted it – but it wasn’t like Nolan made anything about his flirting or checking you out subtle. You’d seen him lean back in his chair with a raised eyebrow, rolling his tongue over his bottom lip at your too high heels and too short skirt before (not that you thought these things, but occasionally some of the bitches that worked here would make comments of their own.). Not that you minded, half of your work wardrobe you picked out and wore for him. The first day had been a lot of fun, he’d had a few client meetings, but aside from that, it had been wandering around stands and prospecting. IOI had their own of course, and Nolan had spent a long time making sure it was perfect, before thanking everyone manning it for being here. He of course was giving a workshop of his own – not only that, but he was Tuesday’s keynote speaker. A very important role. You were here to make sure everything ran smoothly, that Nolan was where he was supposed to be at the right times, that he had everything he needed and that you were picking up all his emails & calls whilst he was busy. Such was your role as his PA. But a role you couldn’t have enjoyed more if you’d tried. You liked reading emails to him out loud in your most sarcastic tone depending on what people had sent him, and Nolan would ask you to type his reply just as sarcastically, which most of the time would have you in stitches. Before he had enough of you standing around in his button up and dragged you to bed for something he would consider far more fun. With Sunday out of the way, and Monday consisting of a celebrity Keynote, and some workshops Nolan wished to attend himself – you weren’t that bothered about settling into your day until this afternoon, where you’d have to set the room up for him. Although you were checking in with IOI news as he got ready, enjoying the background noise of him pacing the room to get washed and dressed; the scratch of his razor against his skin, the slide of silk tie against cotton shirt, click of watch strap into place. “How we doing?” “Stock is up.” You mumbled, smiling gently as he leant over to kiss your shoulder, “…Matthew’s rerun sales numbers and they’re better than projected… uhm, Carlo says there’s a routine system upgrade tomorrow but you should know about it?” “UH. I think I remember him mentioning, it yeah…” You glanced at him over your shoulder as he neatened his hair in the mirror. That kind of response meant that Nolan didn’t have a clue, you rolled your eyes, typical. At least you were on top of things. “Also…” You rolled yourself in the sheets so you were facing the end of the bed and the wider room where he was, “I need to run through your day, even though I’ve pinged it to your calendar, so I know that I’ve told you-!” Nolan chuckled, crossing the room to the coffee machine, “You don’t trust me, huh?” “You wouldn’t want me to be honest, would you sir?” You were lucky that raise a smirk rather than an upset look – he knew you were teasing. He poured – Nolan had this very meticulous slow pour, and always bit his lip when he concentrated on it. As his name would suggest – he would insist that Italian coffee was the only good coffee, and when he made it the way that he did, you weren’t about to disagree with him. You groaned from the bed watching him, even the position he stood in gave you all the lines of his body under that sharp suit. Apparently it was a little louder than you expected by the way he turned to you with a smirk; “You okay over there, darling?” It was your turn to bite your lip as he stirred in just the correct amount of sugar for you, and a dash of milk – you were not the black coffee drinker here. “I would be if you came back to bed.” “Oh no…” Nolan’s voice was sultry as he walked back over, holding the mug out for you he ran a hand through your hair, just enough of a tug to force you to look up at him. Your lips parted and his blue eyes flashed, “I should let you recover from last night.” You shivered in delight at the way he was looking at you, and your body was already telling you that recovery was the last thing it wanted. You took the cup quickly, clearing your throat and looking away from him as you blushed. “J-Just let me tell you your schedule!” “Oh my god, will you just stop until I’ve had some of this.” He waved his hand and slid back over to the machine to pour his own – straight black, with no sweetness. The kind of coffee a ruthless CEO would drink. You knew there was a lot of sweetness under there, he just didn’t show it to anyone else. Nolan came back and sat beside you, sipping his coffee thoughtfully and nodding along as you relayed the schedule to him – propped up on one arm as you read from the tablet. Every so often he had several presentations at the same time that he’d have to choose from, or some that might conflict with client meetings; “You can send someone else to the meeting… or… I could go to the workshop for you and report back?” He regarded you with playful curiosity; “Oh? You’d be interested in some of these?” “They do sound rather good – yeah.” You blinked up at him, “You’re a little more interesting.” “Oh really?” Nolan grinned, taking a gulp of coffee and leaning over your shoulder to pick some out with your help. Eventually you had three days’ worth of scheduling down (for him and yourself), and if he wanted to go to the keynote and his first workshop he ought to be leaving your side right now. Instead he was taking his time, sweet talking you and finishing his coffee. With his casual string of flirting, and your body still telling you to drag him back to bed and relieve him of that suit and tie, you couldn’t help but nearly beg him to stay. You couldn’t even talk for fear of what might come out of your mouth, only sipping your coffee as you listened to him. Watching the nuances of his face, and the way he moved his hands; Nolan had a lot of ticks and tells – and they all meant something different. It was as much your job to read these as his employee, as it was your job as his lover. But each one was fascinating – and today every movement was the story of a man that couldn’t leave; but knew he should. You took your final sip and placed the mug on the floor before looking back to him; “Nolan.” “Yes?” “Don’t you think you should be heading off?” Nolan hesitated, as if that didn’t say everything; “…Kicking me out now?” “I just don’t want to see the CEO I’m looking after be reprimanded for being late.” He tipped his mug back and set it, empty, next to yours. “Well, my PA probably has a point…” He straightened his cuffs and brushed himself down, before turning to you. But he paused and this was a fatal mistake. You’d had enough – and Nolan was hesitating – you reached out and grabbed his tie, tugging him to your lips. The sheets slipped from your body and he covered you instead – causing your needy sigh against his lips. “Y- Y/N…” He swallowed hard, “If you’re so insistent I go, then I really should.” But you were both playing the game of who could hold out the longest – who would be the one to say it? Truth was you weren’t so concerned with winning the game – just with having him back between your thighs under the sheets. “Just come back to bed... it’s not that important, right?”  Nolan scoffed, but his hands were already finding yours, and he wasn’t using them to hinder your progress on his tie; “You’re the one who spent the last 30 minutes telling me how important my schedule is.” “As if you don’t change it on me last minute all the time when we’re in the office?” You raised an eyebrow and mocked his voice; “OH, Y/N, really – please, not this meeting. Push it out.” He growled, displeased, before claiming your lips roughly again, “If I wasted good coffee for nothing.” “I got to watch you make it, certainly not a waste of anything.” You pulled him back so that you could taste him; it almost tasted better from his kisses than it did from a cup. “Oh? Do you get off on that?” You gave him a wink, “It’s the little pleasures, Nolan Sorrento. About time someone taught you that…” He laid you back properly, placing a kiss to your neck, and again to your shoulder. “Well, I would like to learn…” His hands ran smoothly down your body and you sighed against the travel, “Maybe you could be my first workshop of the day.” You smirked, winding your arms around him and running your hands into his hair; “Gladly, Mr.Sorrento.” As it turned out the conference that morning wasn’t so important after all.

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7/16 - Nearly at the halfway point!!! Thank you for requesting! 💙 Thank YOU for reading! 😘😘