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1
Carlos used to be a morning person.
He was always awake before his alarm rang, jumping out of bed with an energy and eagerness normal people do not wake up with, ready to start his day.
That was before he shared a bed with someone, before he knew what it felt like to hold something so precious to him in his arms and to be held just as carefully. That was life before TK.
TK, who is not a morning person. Who Carlos quickly came to learn can sleep through just about anything. “Baby, I’m from New York,” He had explained to Carlos one day when he voiced his concerns of TK’s incapability to be woken easily.
He used to be a morning person and eager to start his day, but now he’d rather stay in bed with his fiancé. So when his alarm rings, he drowsily reaches over to snooze it before wrapping his arm tightly around TK to pull him in closer to his chest. He hears him snuffle into his pillow, mumbling something unintelligible before letting out a low snore.
“Five more minutes,” He thinks to himself as he buries his nose into the back of TK’s head. He feels like he’s just closed his eyes before the alarm is ringing again. He groans at the shrill sound, mustering up all of his strength to untangle himself from TK and their warm bed.
He watches as TK scoots back and into Carlos’ spot, soaking in the warmth left by his body and burrowing deeper into the sheets.
He feels like he’s in slow motion as he gets ready for his shift, taking a few minutes longer in the shower than he normally would allow himself to. He leaves the bathroom door open, not worried about waking TK up. He thinks he could scream in his ear and he still wouldn’t stir.
With that in mind, he is surprised when he walks into their bedroom and finds TK sitting up in bed, Carlos’ glasses goofily perched low on his nose as he looks at him from above the frames. His light eyes hungrily run down Carlos’ body, taking in wet, golden skin and firm muscles.
His latest obsession, 101+ Best Cheesy Pickup Lines, is resting in his lap, turned to a page he dog-eared and his finger resting on a specific sentence.
“What are you doing,” Carlos laughs, the sight of TK wearing his glasses absolutely endearing to him.
TK doesn’t answer him. Instead he glances down to read off of the page. “If being sexy was a crime, you’d be guilty as charged.”
Carlos snorts, gripping the towel around his waist tighter as he sits down at the edge of the bed so he can press his lips against TK’s forehead.
“Very unoriginal,” He says against his sleep-warm forehead. “You know how many times I hear that one while I’m in uniform? You’re going to have to do better than that.”
TK sputters as he pulls away so he can look Carlos in the eyes. “Who’s using pick-up lines on you?”
He grins. “Don’t worry, baby.” He runs his fingers through TK’s hair, attempting to tame the messy strands. “They’re just as bad — if not worse than yours.”
He pouts. “You’ve gotta admit mine are cute, though.” Carlos holds in his laughter at the grumpy expression on his face, squishing his cheeks with his hands and shaking his head slightly.
“You’re cute,” Carlos corrects him as he checks his watch. “And I’m late. I love you.”
2
“C’mere,” Carlos murmurs as he pats his thigh, groaning when TK throws himself down onto his lap. His stomach protests at the added weight, aching from all of the s’mores he’s already consumed within the last hour. TK, who seems to burn every marshmallow given to him no matter how many times he tries, kept handing Carlos the burnt ones to eat while he attempted to roast another one.
Eventually he had given up, handing the stick over to Carlos to roast a perfect marshmallow for him while he ran inside his dads’ house to grab a blanket.
He waits for TK to spread the blanket out over his legs before wrapping his arm tightly around his waist to hold him securely in his lap, hooking his chin over his shoulder as he focuses on roasting the marshmallow with his other hand.
“Are you warmer?” TK nods, leaning more of his weight back against Carlos as he sleepily watches the fire. “Don’t fall asleep on me,” He murmurs as he jostles his body slightly.
“M’not.” He rolls his eyes at the groggy response, playfully biting TK’s shoulder to wake him up more. “I’m not!” He giggles as he tries to pull away from Carlos.
“Blow,” He instructs TK, carefully bringing the flaming marshmallow towards his face so he can blow the flame out, revealing a perfectly roasted marshmallow.
“Finally,” TK groans, taking the stick from Carlos so he can put his s’more together. He eagerly takes a bite out of it, moaning in satisfaction as he chews it.
Carlos huffs out a breathy laugh as he watches him, reaching a hand up to card his fingers through his hair. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that you can cook Beef Wellington but can’t roast a marshmallow.”
TK shrugs, melted chocolate smeared around his lips, giving him a chocolate mustache. “We’ve all got our weaknesses.”
“Dude,” Carlos says, turning TK’s head so he can wipe the mess away with his finger.
“Dude,” TK repeats. “We’re getting married in a few weeks. You can’t call me “dude” anymore, Carlos.”
He ignores him. “I’m marrying a man who eats like a five year old,” He mutters, and TK throws his head back to laugh at that, knocking Carlos’ finger away from his lips. He pretends to act annoyed, but the more TK laughs the more he wants to, and eventually he’s joining him.
Then TK is smiling, turning sideways in Carlos’ arms so he can wrap an arm around his shoulders. His lips change from a smile into a smirk, and Carlos already knows what’s about to come.
“Are you a campfire? Because you’re hot and I want s’more.”
His mouth drops open in disbelief. “You’re right,” He says. “We really do all have our weaknesses.”
He laughs when TK swats his shoulder, mumbling a small “shut up” before pulling Carlos into a sticky kiss.
3
TK: baby
TK: guess what i’m wearing
Carlos frowns, glancing around the police station nervously. His cheeks are flushed red as he quickly types out a response.
Carlos: TK.
Carlos: I am at work
TK: guess
Carlos: we are not doing this right now
TK: can you just guess
Carlos: no
Carlos: we are not sexting right now
TK: whoa
TK: get your mind out of the gutter carlos
TK: i’m wearing the smile you gave me
He snorts, lips stretching into a smile so big his cheeks hurt from it as he shakes his head fondly.
Carlos: you are such a dork
TK: you love it
He does.
4
It’s a little after ten o’clock when Carlos finally makes it home. He’s exhausted but he still makes sure to neatly place his bag in the closet and line his boots up next to the front door, still holding out hope for the day TK follows his example.
He drags his feet across the loft as he makes his way towards their bedroom. He can make out TK’s form from under the covers, sheets pulled all the way up and over his head, the only thing poking out are tufts of brown hair.
His eyes fight to stay open as he gets ready for bed, rushing through his nightly routine so he can get to it quicker.
He groans when he finally collapses into the bed, TK’s form bouncing slightly from the weight of his body hitting the bed. He lies on his side facing him, still unable to see his face. He assumes he’s asleep until —
“Hi, baby.” He startles slightly, squinting his eyes in confusion when TK emerges from under the covers, slipping his earbuds out of his ears, wide-eyed and way too awake for it being ten o’clock at night.
“Did I wake you?” He reaches out to pull him closer until they’re sharing Carlos’ pillow, noses brushing from how close they’re laying.
“No, you didn’t. I couldn’t sleep.”
That immediately wakes him up, and he looks at TK in concern. “Anything on your mind?”
TK shakes his head, reaching over to gently play with Carlos’ ear. “No. I’m just not tired.”
He hums in response, lifting a hand to brush TK’s hair back and away from his face, repeating the gesture and hoping it will lull him to sleep.
“How was your shift?”
Carlos sighs, resting his hand on the side of TK’s face. “Uneventful,” He states, unable to keep his eyes open any longer.
It’s quiet for a few moments, and he hopes that it’s because TK is falling asleep with Carlos. He feels him scoot closer, the hand playing with his ear traveling down to run along his lips.
“Did you know that bearded dragons can run at human speed?” He opens his eyes and is greeted with big, green eyes staring back at him. If he wasn’t so tired he’d find it adorable, maybe even laugh at the innocent expression on TK’s face.
“No, I did not know that.”
“And I didn’t need to know that,” He thinks to himself, shuddering at the thought of being chased by one.
“You closed Lou-Two’s tank, right?”
TK giggles. “Of course.” Carlos’ lips stretch into a smile, pressing a quick kiss against the finger TK has pressed against his lips. He can feel the energy radiating off of TK’s body, can almost hear his mind thinking about the next thing he wants to say.
Then he gasps as he remembers something. “We had the craziest call today. You should have seen how many eye contacts we removed from—“
“Baby,” Carlos whines. “I’m tired. Can we please talk in the morning?”
When he doesn’t receive a response he opens his eyes, worried that he’s upset his fiancé somehow. Instead he’s greeted with an all too familiar smirk. He grimaces as he prepares himself for what’s to come.
“You must be tired because you've been running through my mind all day.”
He snorts, leaning forward to press his lips against TK’s. “They’re getting worse.”
TK hums against his lips, chasing them when Carlos tries to pull away to steal two more kisses. “Admit it. You love them.”
”I love you.”
5
They’re on their honeymoon.
They’re on their honeymoon but he’s still there. He can still hear his mama’s screams and he can still see the puddle of blood on the floor of their entryway and he can’t get his mind to stop thinking about the fact that the person who did this is still out there.
He looks over at TK, his husband, who has been nothing but supportive and loving towards Carlos through all of this. He’s patient when Carlos can’t find the words to say what’s on his mind and he’s gentle when he holds him during those nights he can’t seem to shut his mind off. He’s still ridiculous and goofy and makes Carlos smile, even when it feels like he’ll never be able to again.
The golden ring glistens in the sun and catches Carlos’ attention. He stares at it, the way it hugs TK’s finger and he looks down at his own hand to admire the matching ring on his.
He’s married to the love of his life — his soulmate — and he can’t seem to be here with him. He can’t give him the honeymoon that he deserves. He can’t be the husband that he deserves.
TK opens his eyes suddenly and turns his head to look at him, lips stretching into a beautiful smile.
Carlos returns it, reaching a hand out towards TK, his smile stretching wider when he grabs ahold of it.
He should know what’s coming when TK lifts a hand up to cover his eyes, as if the sun is shining in them and he’s trying to block it, despite them being under a canopy.
“Did the sun come out or did you just smile at me?” There it is. He knows TK better than he knows himself, but despite this he still finds a way to catch Carlos by surprise. He’s cute, adorning a wide, playful grin as he waits for Carlos’ reaction, grin turning smug when —
Carlos laughs. He laughs so loud a couple of heads turn their way, but he doesn’t pay them any mind. The only person that matters is the one who is still able to make him laugh like that even during his darkest days.
“I love you,” He sighs, hoping his eyes convey his love and how much of it he has for TK because he knows he hasn’t been good at showing it lately.
“I know, baby.”
“C’mere,” He says softly, patting his thigh; but TK shakes his head, beckoning Carlos over with a finger.
“Let me hold you.” So he does. They barely fit in the chair, their sweaty skin sticking uncomfortably together, but he’s never felt more comfortable. Carlos is laid out on TK with his head buried in his neck, his favorite spot, where he feels safest. He closes his eyes at the feeling of TK’s hands rubbing his back, the gentle and loving touches making him cry. His tears soak his neck but TK doesn’t say anything. He pulls Carlos against him tighter and presses sweet kisses into sweaty curls.
He twirls his ring around his finger, balling his hand into a fist, and thinks about the words engraved on the inside of both of their rings.
The beginning of Forever.
As he looks up at his future, his miracle, he knows that everything is going to be okay as long as TK is by his side.
+1
He wakes to the sound of consistent beeping and the feeling of pain all over. He groans and attempts to sit up, familiar hands carefully pushing him back and a soft voice shushing him.
“No, no, no. Take it easy.” He opens his eyes, having to blink them a few times to clear the fuzziness. When they focus he’s met with his favorite sight in the entire world.
“Hi.”
“Hi, baby.” TK hovers above him as he peers down at him in concern. He rubs his hand over Carlos’ short, buzzed hair. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I got shot.” TK huffs out a sad laugh, eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“Yeah.” His gaze lingers on Carlos’ abdomen, haunted, his mind going someplace Carlos can’t follow. He tries to meet his eyes with his own.
“Come back to me,” He mumbles, lifting his hand to grasp onto TK’s. His hand is still stained with Carlos’ blood, he realizes, and he wonders how long TK has been sitting at his side and neglecting his own health. How long has he been reliving the same traumatizing events and beating himself up for another man’s actions?
He musters up all of his strength to squeeze his hand firmly, wanting to reassure TK that he’s alive and he’s okay and they’re not there anymore. “I’m okay.”
“The nurse said the pain medication should kick in soon,” He responds shakily, eyes still focused on the spot Carlos was bleeding out of just a few hours ago.
“Baby—“
His heart breaks when TK’s face crumples, his body closing in on itself and making him appear much smaller than what he is. “Don’t ever do that again.” He sniffles, squeezing Carlos’ hand back. “Promise me.”
Carlos sighs, shaking his head because he can’t promise something like that. He didn’t even think twice before throwing himself in front of the gun that was aimed at TK.
“I’d do it a thousand times again.”
TK groans, because he knows Carlos would do anything and everything to protect him. He feels the same way. He’d die for Carlos — and he was ready to.
Tears stream down his cheeks as he leans down to rest his forehead against Carlos’.
“I hate you,” He mumbles, the love in his eyes and soft, fond voice contradicting his words. He nuzzles his nose against the beard Carlos has grown. It tickles his nose and lips as he presses several kisses against the scratchy hair, each kiss moving towards his mouth until their lips meet, both trying to forget the last time their lips touched it was TK breathing life back into him again.
Carlos pulls away with a content sigh, nose brushing TK’s softly. He feels his eyes slip shut, the pain in his abdomen becoming fuzzy. His body instantly relaxes, the pain medicine finally kicking in, and he smiles drowsily at TK. His eyes catch the worry lines on TK’s face, desperate to make them go away and to see that smile.
“Did it hurt?” TK frowns, gently placing his hand against Carlos’ bruised chest, right over his heart that had stopped right under them just a few hours ago.
“What, baby?”
“Did it hurt,” Carlos repeats. “When you fell from heaven?”
He watches as that playful glint returns to pretty, green eyes. He scrunches his face cutely to try and fight the smile that’s threatening to stretch his lips.
He breaks when Carlos cheekily winks at him.
“Babe,” He laughs, cupping Carlos’ face in between his hands and squeezing. “That was really bad.”
His mouth drops open, offended because — “Look who’s talking.”
“At least mine are new and fresh — some may even say creative. That’s literally the oldest one in the book.”
Carlos fights to keep his eyes open, wants to continue with this playful banter for as long as he can so he can keep that smile on TK’s face.
“Shut up,” He grumbles. “That’s payback for all of the horrible ones you’ve used on me,” He yawns, jaw cracking from how wide it opens.
TK must notice the way his eyes keep slipping shut because he presses a kiss against his forehead before pulling away. “Get some rest.” He shushes him when he begins to protest. “Get some rest. I’ll be right here when you wake up and you can use all of the pick-up lines you want on me.”
Carlos sighs defeatedly, tired eyes watching as TK drops down into the chair next to his bed, his hand still holding onto Carlos’.
Carlos smirks, and TK groans at the expression — must know what’s to come from all of the times he himself has had that same expression on his face.
“Do you know CPR? Because you just took my breath away!” Carlos’ grin slowly fades from his face when TK fixes him with an unamused look. He grimaces. “Too soon?”
“Too soon.”