Work Text:
TK frowns as he stares down at his phone, attempting to navigate down the sidewalk. He thinks maybe it was a bad idea for him to suggest picking up the food instead of having it delivered. But he figured that if he could navigate New York City, he could navigate the Austin streets just fine. Turns out he’s much more tired than he had originally thought and perhaps he was lost, but he’d never admit to that. Especially not to his father.
Just as he’s losing hope of ever eating again, he feels his body collide with something solid and he stumbles backwards. He loses his balance and he thinks he’s going down.
“Oops.” A voice exclaims and a warmth attaches to his elbow, pulling him back upright and he is able to steady his own body from there. “Shit, sorry.”
TK shakes his head. “Don’t worry, it was -” His words freeze when he looks up and meets the gaze of the person to whom the voice belongs. He’s beautiful to say the least and TK nearly forgets every word in his vocabulary. The man is taking out a pair of earbuds, his features set into a look of worry. TK manages to recover quickly. “It was my fault. I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
The man smiles. “It’s okay, are you alright?”
“Yeah, thanks to you I am. Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you did I?”
“I’m alright. Not a scratch. Don’t even worry about it.”
“That’s good.” TK whispers and nods. “Hey, do you think you could help me out? I’m trying to find this sushi place —”
TK holds up his phone for the man to see.
“Do you think you could point me in the right direction?” TK asks as he brings the phone back down in front of him. The little ‘you are here’ arrow flashing in the same spot as it has been since he left the house.
“As a matter of fact, I can. It just so happens I’m heading there myself.”
TK looks up from the phone. “What? Are you serious?”
“Very much. It’s my favourite sushi place in town.”
“Well, that’s lucky.” TK says, grinning. “Then please, lead the way because I think that I’ve hit the point past starving and I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to last.”
“It’s this way.” The man says, pointing in the direction behind TK which means that he has passed it once before, maybe even twice. “I’m Carlos by the way.”
“TK.”
“Are you new to Austin, TK?” Carlos asks as they begin walking alongside one another. The streets in this part of the city are very deserted with the late night hour and TK enjoys the peacefulness of it all for just a moment.
“Yeah, I am.” TK says as he digs his hands into his hoodie pocket in order to hide them before he tangles them together. A nervous twitch he’s always had coming in to haunt him as he walks alongside Carlos. “Just got here today actually, from New York.”
“New York, hey? That’s a big change. What brought that on, if you don’t mind me asking?”
TK figures he doesn’t mind Carlos asking him anything, something drawing him towards the other man in a way that TK can’t quite figure out yet. “My dad got offered a position to rebuild the 126 firehouse.”
“Right,” Carlos says. “My father told me about that.”
“Oh yeah? He’s a firefighter?” TK asks.
“No, a Texas Ranger. But he seems to know everything around here.”
TK slowly nods before the two of them fall into a silence and TK is surprised to find that it’s not awkward at all, but a comfortable silence giving them both a moment to breathe before continuing on with the conversation.
“So, what brings you here then? Firefighting too?”
“No, I’m actually a paramedic. I used to be a firefighter back in New York but here they want you to choose a specific one so I decided to go with a paramedic. To change things up a bit.”
“Yeah, I get it. Just want to start out fresh and new, right?”
TK smiles because he can’t believe Carlos gets it. He knows his father was a little against the idea at the time because TK Strand has always been the shadow of Owen Strand. But TK figured it was very much time to step out of that shadow and build himself as a person. It was what was best for him and for his father.
“That’s exactly it. I’m so glad you understand.”
Carlos gives him a smile before they come to a halt in front of the restaurant. As TK had guessed, he had most definitely walked past it at one point and decides that he’s going to stop following his phone GPS, the device obviously not working. Carlos steps forwards, opening the door to allow TK to step in.
The place is small with a few people scattered around the bright room, eating and laughing with one another. Carlos leads TK to the front counter and TK watches as he flashes a bright smile to the young girl.
“A pickup for Carlos Reyes?” He says and the girl nods before turning to look at TK.
“Oh, and TK Strand.”
TK steps up beside Carlos as the girl disappears into the back to get their food. Carlos begins taking his wallet out and TK is quick to halt his movements.
“I can buy yours for you.” He offers and Carlos gives him a confused look, his lips morphing into a frown.
“What? No. I can’t let you do that.” Carlos tries but TK is stubborn and he’s already shaking his head before the words have fully left Carlos’ mouth.
“Consider it my way of saying ‘thank you’ for helping me find my way. Please, let me.”
Carlos seems to hesitate for a while before he slowly nods and puts his wallet back into his pocket. “Sure, thank you.”
TK grins. “It’s no problem.”
When the girl eventually returns with their food, she sets up the machine for TK to pay and TK pays the amount plus gives a nice tip before grabbing their food and stepping aside for the next person to be helped. They are left standing awkwardly to the side, staring at one another before TK finally makes a move to speak.
“Well, thank you again for your help, Carlos. Maybe I’ll, uh, see you around.”
“You too. Thank you for paying for my meal again.” Carlos says. TK nods before turning around towards the door. He stands for a moment, hoping that he can have enough courage to turn back around and say something to Carlos, anything. Like asking him for his number. He knows it’s a dangerous game to play in the state that he’s in but he can’t help wanting to see Carlos again.
“Hey TK?” Carlos’ voice comes through to him and he almost sighs in relief. He turns back around, coming face to face with Carlos once again. “I don’t know if you’re busy or have somewhere to be, but would you maybe like to eat with me?”
TK finds himself stunned, unable to find the words as he stares at Carlos before he finally pushes himself to swallow his nervousness and nod. “Yeah, I’d really like that.”
Carlos’ smile is beautiful, TK realises as they sit down at one of the small tables. They get themselves situated, unpacking containers and TK takes the chance to stuff one of the rolls into his mouth, grateful for food. After they’ve each taken a few bites, TK decides to restart their conversation.
“So, what do you do, Carlos?” He asks as he wipes his hands on a napkin.
“I’m a social worker actually.”
“Really? That’s so cool. How do you enjoy it?”
Carlos shrugs a shoulder. “I enjoy it. It’s obviously not all sunshine and daisies but knowing that I get to help out in some way, that’s what makes me get out of bed and go most days.”
“That’s awesome. I always love that thrill of knowing that I’ve helped someone.”
“That’s really it.” Carlos says. “I’m glad you understand.”
“We seem to be doing that, understanding each other.” TK points out, taking another bite of a pot sticker.
“Sometimes the universe brings us people to understand us when we are in need of them.” Carlos says and TK can’t help but to smile at the words. He finds that it’s so easy talking with Carlos and that he’s so comfortable with him. Something that he thought he’d never feel again.
“Okay, so you’re cute and you’re wise?” TK asks before he can stop the words from coming out of his mouth. He freezes, staring down at his sushi and when he looks up, he finds Carlos staring at him, a shy smile on his face.
“You think I’m cute?”
“No, I didn’t mean - well yes, you are cute, but I didn’t mean it like that. I -”
“TK,” Carlos says, placing his hand on top of TK’s and it’s like warmth and electricity courses through him at that single touch. “Take some breaths.”
TK in fact does take a nice deep breath and he chuckles. “Sorry.”
“You don’t have to be sorry. You’re cute when you’re flustered.” Carlos says, the corner of his mouth curling into a half smile. TK returns the smile and moves his hand so he is holding Carlos’ across the table and they continue on eating their food.
***
“This was definitely not the first night I thought I’d be having.” TK says as they step out from the restaurant and back into the Austin night.
“I hope that’s not a bad statement.” Carlos jokes.
“No, definitely not.” TK quickly reassures him. “The other option would have been sitting in my room or watching tv with my dad and I guarantee you this is much better.”
“Well, in that case, why don’t I walk you home?” Carlos asks. “I mean, judging by how well you navigate these streets, I think you should stick to the buddy system for at least a little while.”
TK rolls his eyes, a fond smile on his face. “Be quiet, Reyes. But seriously? Yeah, I’d love that.”
“Great, because at this point, I don’t want this to stop just yet.”
The world around them is peaceful as they walk and TK begins to regain some familiarity about the area as they approach the neighbourhood that he has just moved into.
“So, any chance I get to find out what TK stands for?” Carlos asks, breaking the silence.
TK glances at him, a smirk on his face. “Careful Reyes, there’s some hidden treasures you may never get to find out.”
“Oh come on, it can’t be that bad.”
“You’re right, it can’t be any worse than what it is.”
Carlos chuckles. “Alright, duly noted. We’ll leave that to later.”
“Later, huh? Like you want to see me again.” TK asks, trying to hold back a smile. He feels a kind of warmth around Carlos and for some reason, he feels as though he can trust the other man entirely. A concept that is completely baffling to him having only known him for an hour and a half.
“I mean, no. Not if you don’t want to see me again.” Carlos whispers, his voice suddenly shy.
“Are you crazy?” TK asks. “You’re my first friend here, I’m not letting you get away that easily.”
“Okay, that’s fair. I can’t say I’m disappointed.”
Eventually the two of them stop in front of TK’s new house and TK is suddenly sad that this has to be the end of the night with Carlos. A night he never thought he was going to have, but definitely one he needed. Especially after everything.
“Well, this is it.” TK whispers, gesturing towards the house. “Thanks for walking me home.”
“It was no problem. Trust me.”
“Here, how about I give you my number? That way, we can promise to continue to talk.” Carlos suggests, pulling his phone. “And you can give me yours.”
TK nods, passing his phone over and taking Carlos’, punching in his phone number before they both pass their phones back. TK then moves to step forwards and lean in, giving Carlos a gentle kiss on his cheek.
“I had a really nice time tonight.” TK whispers as he stays close to him before stepping away.
“Me too. Have a good rest of your night, TK.”
“You too. Be safe.”
TK turns away and walks up the pathway to the house, pulling out his phone to check the time before he tries to go in. It’s not late but there is still a possibility of his father being asleep, exhausted from their long drive. He slowly opens the door, stepping in and quietly closing it. There’s relief as he walks into the house to find it silent and he wastes no time going to his room, shutting the door and falling onto his bed. His body is finally catching up with him on how utterly exhausted he is. He pushes past it however to pull out his phone from his pocket and open a new text thread with Carlos.
TK
Did you get home safe?
TK sends the text without thinking twice, setting the phone down on his stomach. His eyes are just fluttering closed when the phone vibrates and he picks it up to a text flashing from Carlos.
Carlos
All safe and sound. Thanks for asking. I hope you have a good night. Text tomorrow?
TK
Sounds good. Have a good night, Carlos.
TK throws his phone to the side of his bed before he closes his eyes again. He’s much too exhausted to move to get changed or anything so he just simply allows himself to finally be pulled into sleep.
***
In the following days, TK finds himself in a constant text chain with Carlos and it, along with his new crew at the 126, makes him feel happiness that he hasn’t felt for a while now. His friends tease him at the fact that he only spends his time off working, smiling at his phone. When Paul asks him about it at one point, TK can’t help but wonder how it can be that Carlos has become such a prominent part of his life in such a short amount of time. Paul says he doesn’t know, but to let him know the secret when he does figure it out.
They are just getting back from a call when Carlos texts him again.
Carlos
Would you be freaked out if I asked you on a date?
TK stares at the message for a moment, his mind a blur. He waits a few moments before he answers back, his fingers shaking as he does.
TK
No. Why would you think that?
TK chews on his bottom lip as the three little dots appear shortly before Carlos’ message does.
Carlos
I mean, we’ve just met. I didn’t know if that’d be weird.
TK
Definitely not weird. I’d love to. If you’re still asking.
Carlos
No, you know, I think I’ve changed my mind.
TK
Too bad. Your loss.
Carlos
I want to go on a date with you, TK.
TK
It’s a yes. It’ll always be a yes.
TK is pretty sure that he’s about to chew through his lip by the time that the end of the shift rolls around. Judd, Paul and Mateo each give him words of encouragement before they depart and Marjan gives him a reassuring smile before she too disappears. TK is then left walking towards Carlos’ camaro, sliding into the passenger seat.
“Hey you.” Carlos whispers, the same beautiful smile on his face.
“Hi.” TK greets. “How was your day?”
“Tiring, it’s better now though.”
“Oh yeah? I’m glad. So, what are we doing?”
“I thought I’d make us dinner.” Carlos suggests, putting the car into gear. “That is, if you’re okay with it.”
“I’m more than okay with that. You know, with how much of a health freak my father is, it’s amazing how much we’ve been eating out lately. A home cooked meal sounds amazing.”
Carlos smiles and reaches across the console to grab TK’s hand, the same feeling TK got the last time he and Carlos touched, returns suddenly in a jolt of warmth and electricity. They stay like that until they pull up to Carlos’ house.
***
“I think you should become a professional chef.” TK says when he and Carlos are done eating and have moved from the dining room table to the couch in the living room.
“Thanks, but I don’t think I’d go that far.”
“I would. That was amazing. How did you learn to cook like that?”
“My mama.” Carlos explains. “Ever since I was a kid, I spent my time cooking with her. She loved to pass on the recipes to me and I loved learning them. Your parents never taught you to cook?”
TK shakes his head. “My parents worked for my entire childhood and I was usually left with money for takeout. I unfortunately never really learned how to do anything so I burn water.”
Carlos chuckles. “Well, I’ll remember that. Maybe I can teach you one day.”
“I’d like that.” TK whispers before he takes a deep breath. “Hey, can I tell you something?”
“Yeah sure. Anything.”
“I think I really like you.” TK mumbles and he half hopes that Carlos didn’t hear him so he can pretend he said something else when he has to repeat it. But luck is not on his side.
“You think?” Carlos asks, tilting his head to the side.
“Yeah. I mean I know I do but back in New York, some stuff went down and I have been struggling ever since. But I don’t know, there’s something about you that makes me want to take the jump and try to forget everything that happened. I’d like to try trusting again.”
“Yeah? Well I think I really like you too and just know you can trust me, TK.”
“Really?”
“Yes really. We don’t have to do anything too quickly, we can go as slow as you want to, whatever will make you feel comfortable.” Carlos reassures him.
“Remember when you said that the universe seems to bring people that understand us when we need it? I think that’s exactly what happened.”
Carlos grins. “I think so too.”
“Are we really doing this?” TK asks.
“We are. If you’re ready and sure.”
“I think I am.”
Carlos doesn’t say anything else, just leans forwards until he is a breath away from TK. “Can I kiss you?”
TK nods, his lips brushing against Carlos’ with the act. “Yes, please.”
It’s all the confirmation that Carlos seems to need to close the space between them and push his lips against TK’s in a gentle way. It’s not a hectic kiss but it makes TK feel a pit in his stomach all the same. It lasts for a few moments and leaves them both breathless as they pull away.
“We’re going to be an amazing team, aren’t we?” Carlos whispers, his breath hot against TK’s face.
“Definitely.”