Chapter Text
“He’s going to break up with me.”
“Listen to me. He is NOT going to break up with you TK,” Owen said exasperatedly. “I’ve already said it about a hundred times today. That boy loves you. And what you said… Harsh as it may have been, it’s also true. Carlos’ parents need to not only love him, but accept him and make sure he’s comfortable being who he is. That’s a parent’s job, TK. That’s their most important job.”
“He wanted to be the one to tell them,” TK said. “I took that from him.”
Owen sighed. “You didn’t mean to TK,” he said, leaning forward and squeezing his shoulder. “They asked, things escalated and you snapped. You’ve had so much going on these last few days son. You’ve barely slept or eaten. You haven’t even been able to talk to Carlos. I know how much that’s hurting you. And what you said, you did it for him. You stood up for him because you care about him and you can’t stand to see him hurting. You did it because you love him. I really think he’ll understand that.”
“I hope so dad, I really do. Because I can’t lose him. I just can’t,” TK said desperately.
“And you won’t,” his father replied, pulling him into a hug.
TK looked down as he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He quickly pulled it out and glanced at the screen. His breath caught in his throat.
“It’s from Carlos,” he said.
“Well open it!” Owen replied.
TK took a deep breath and opened the message. “If you can, please come to the hospital,” he read aloud.
“Okay…” Owen said slowly. “Not much information there.”
“He’s going to break up with me,” TK said again.
“Shut up and get in the car Tyler Kennedy, I’m driving,” his father replied, pushing him towards the door.
“You don’t have to come with me dad,” he said.
“Yes I do, I might have to fight my future in-laws, Carlos’ parents,” Owen said with a sly smile.
TK laughed. “God, I hope not. It would make things awfully awkward at Christmas every year.”
Owen laughed and put his hands on TK’s shoulders. He leaned forward to give his son a kiss on the top of his head and ruffled his hair.
“I’m here for you TK, no matter what,” he said seriously. “I love you.”
“I know that dad, and I love you too.”
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Owen gave TK a pat on the back and a quick hug.
“I’ll be waiting right here for you son, no matter what,” he said, before pushing TK in the direction of Carlos’ room. “Go talk to your boy.”
TK stood outside the closed door for a few moments.
He was terrified, having no idea what was waiting for him on the other side.
He wasn’t sorry about what he had said, he would always stand up for Carlos without hesitation. But if it caused the end of his relationship with the person he loved more than anything, he would regret that for the rest of his life.
He took a deep breath and walked into the room.
Carlos’ warm brown eyes met his own almost immediately and they took TK’s breath away, as always.
He looked around the rest of the room and was surprised to find that Carlos was alone.
“Okay look, I know I was a little bitch again,” TK said after a few seconds of silence. “But I’m still not sorry.”
To TK’s immense shock, Carlos burst out laughing.
“Oh baby,” he replied. “We have got to work on your argument skills.”
“Wait a second,” TK said, thoroughly confused. “You’re not breaking up with me?”
The laughter was gone from Carlos’ face in an instant, replaced by a look of concern.
“Breaking up with you?! God no! Come here babe,” he replied, beckoning TK over. “You’re too far away from me all the way over there.”
TK made his way over to Carlos.
He tried to hold back, but the second he reached the bed he pulled his boyfriend into his arms and buried his face in his curls, inhaling deeply. He was careful not to press down on his body too hard, not wanting to put pressure on Carlos’ healing injury.
“Did you really think I was going to break up with you?” Carlos whispered in his ear as they held each other. “I know you did it for me, because you care about me. I love you.”
“I love you too,” TK whispered back. “So much, Carlos. These last few days have been so hard.”
“I’m sorry,” Carlos replied, pulling back a bit to look into his eyes. “You were the first person I wanted to see you know. As soon as I woke up, I was looking for you. When I saw my parents I realized why you weren’t there. And I’m so sorry, I know that must have been hard for you.”
“It was, but it’s not your fault,” TK reassured him. “I’m just so happy that you’re okay. I’m sorry that I wasn’t there for you when you woke up. There’s nowhere else I would have rather been.”
“No,” Carlos replied, shaking his head. “Don’t apologize TK, that’s not on you. If you could’ve been there, you would’ve. I know that.”
TK leaned forward for a kiss and Carlos met him halfway.
Being here, back in the comfort of his boyfriend’s arms made everything feel alright again. Well, almost everything.
They let go of each other after a minute, but TK kept Carlos’ hand held firmly in his own as he looked nervously at his boyfriend.
“Where are your parents, Carlos?” he asked. “I didn’t make it worse did I? Please tell me I didn’t ruin your relationship with them. I swear I didn’t mean to be so harsh, I was just angry and worn down. And you were hurt and it was so hard not to be able to see you and talk to you whenever I wanted to and with all the sneaking-”
“Woah woah woah, slow down there tiger,” Carlos replied, squeezing his hand. “You didn’t ruin anything, I promise. You made it better.”
“I did?” he asked in surprise.
“Yes! When I woke up my parents were beside themselves,” Carlos said. “They said that they had no idea how much they were hurting me and they never wanted me to think that I had to hide from them. They thought since I never mentioned it again, I must not have wanted to talk about it either. We were all crying, it was a lot. But I’m so grateful that it happened. That you made it happen. It’s going to take some time and it probably won’t be easy at first, but they want to make it right, no matter what it takes. They’re both so impressed with you by the way, no surprise there. They’re so happy I found someone who will stand behind me no matter what. I told them I can’t believe I found a personal shopper this loyal.”
TK laughed and slapped Carlos lightly on the arm. Carlos grabbed his hand and kissed it.
“They want to meet you again, TK,” he continued. “For real this time. They want to apologize and get to know you not as my friend, but as the man I love.”
“I can’t even tell you how relieved I am to hear all of this Carlos,” TK replied. “I was so scared that I ruined things by blowing up at them the way I did.”
“Listen to me Tyler,” Carlos said seriously, pulling him down to sit beside him on the bed and grasping both hands in his own. “They needed to hear it. And I’m so happy that it came from you. I know it’s only been months, but I’m sure of one thing. You’re it for me. I’m just so sorry it took this long.”
“You’re worth the wait,” TK replied, pressing a kiss to his boyfriend’s forehead.
“Glad to hear it,” he replied with a smirk. “Because now comes the fun part. My parents want to have dinner with us and your parents.”
TK groaned.
“Well that’s going to be a disaster, isn’t it?”