Chapter Text
So far, the day has been q-word, as TK would say. Carlos knew by now that saying the wrong word in the wrong environment might curse them. Even if he wasn't sure it could also be applied to the police department or not, he was not ready to tempt the devil just yet.
TK told him enough stories about the q-word curse, whether they were his or stories from his new friends from the Los Angeles Fire Department. If it were something he could avoid by keeping to himself, he would.
They had been through enough already these past few months, between TK's kidnapping, the arsonist, and the fire in their apartment. He could not recall being so scared for their life. He thought they weren’t going to make it. The fire had been everywhere, burning everything, and the only thing Carlos had been thinking about was him and TK’s safety. The panic that had built inside him was nothing compared everything he’s been through, except for when TK got shot, or when TK got kidnapped. But that night, TK had been an absolute force of nature when Carlos had been all but crumbling inside. He had been his anchor, his rock. That night, he had felt weak, and the guilt that came with it was still gnawing at him.
They were renting a new apartment while searching for a new home. It wasn’t far away from their last place, but it was still a new neighborhood. Both he and TK had to make some adjustments to this situation. But almost six months after that infamous night, some old habits remained, especially on his part.
The weather was lovely for October, sunny, but not too hot. The jacket he was wearing over his uniform shirt was more than enough to protect him from the few gust of cold wind.
The patrol car slowed as Carlos reached the parking lot near Bartholomew Park. He was hungry. He was allowed to take a few minutes to eat a little something, and honestly, tacos sounded awesome right now.
He was about to come out of the car when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He quickly checked the caller's ID and tapped the green button, smiling.
‘Hey TK, how are you? Is everything all right?’ Carlos said, not without an inch of worry in his voice.
‘Hey, yes everything is fine. I just wanted to hear your voice.’
He could hear TK smiling, this lovey-dovey-eyes smile that he gave him sometimes. Carlos smiled at that.
‘Feels good to hear yours too. What’s up?
‘Just refilling the tank of the ambo, we were way too close to calling a tow truck. So I have a few minutes to spare. My dad texted me: he’s having a 126 dinner at his house next Friday. It’s to celebrate Mateo’s one-month non-probie anniversary since the firehouse reopened, or something like that. You know how he is.’
And Carlos sure did. Captain Owen Strand could appear a bit too much at times, but it always comes from the heart. He’s not one to leave anyone behind, nor one to not celebrate little accomplishment and success.
‘He also knows it’s usually game night, which to him means everyone is supposedly available. Frankly, I think he wants a reason to show off those skills and tricks he learned in those cooking lessons he followed. Sounds good? I think he also invited your parents since your dad was a great help with the arsonist case.’
‘Yeah, sure babe. That’ll be fun. Does he need us to bring something?’
‘I don’t know, but I’ll ask him. Tequila might be an option for him. You know how much he loves a good bottle. I believe he also wants to make amend for that evening, you know? Him being super late and super weird.’
Carlos remembered that night, and the days that followed vividly. He winced at the memory, and the aftermath of him behind torn between his boyfriend, his dad, and his job. That had been a tense couple of days, and a delicate situation. Luckily, everything turned out to be fine, which had been a relief. They both have come such a long way to get where they are now.
‘All things considered, it’s no big deal. Guess our dads found some things they had in common,’ he said laughing.
‘Yeah I think so too. What are you doing?’
‘Getting lunch on East 51th Street. Torchy’s Tacos, near Bartholomew Park. I was nearby and it sounded good. Maybe we can get some dessert for your dad’s?’
‘Oh no. He planned the whole meal. Literally. From appetizers to dessert.’
‘How about flowers then? Chocolate?’
‘Both might be a good idea. Speaking of which…’, he heard TK tip-toeing through the phone. ‘We should also get chocolate for ourselves.’
‘You finished the box?’
‘Yeah. I’m sorry, Carlos,’ TK said, his tone guilty and almost whiny. It was endearing. ‘It was just so tempting. I could see them every time I went to the kitchen.’
‘They were in the cupboard, TK,’ Carlos called out, feigning annoyance.
‘Yes, and I know they were there. They were calling me. Eat me TK, eat me. How could I resist?’
Carlos laughed at the little high-pitched voice that TK was doing.
‘It’s alright. I’ll get some more for us.’
‘You’re the best, you know that?’
‘A little someone told me that the other day.’
‘A smart someone.’
‘Handsome too. The most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen.’
‘Lucky you,’ said a teasing TK.
‘Yeah, lucky me,’ Carlos answered, a smile plastered on his face.
On the other side of the phone, Carlos could hear what sounded like Captain Vega calling TK.
Come on TK, food is waiting for us! Let’s not waste too much time, otherwise they’ll be none left for us.
He heard TK said Copy that, cap!, before talking to him again.
‘Gotta go, baby.’
‘Be safe. I love you.’
‘I love you too.’
He hung off, smiling wide. He started walking towards the restaurant, already knowing what he was about to take.
He had been tempted by some sushi, from the restaurant on the other side of the parking lot. He knew they were good, but tacos were just too tempting right now. So he opened the door and went to the counter to order.
For once, the restaurant was not fully packed. He used to visit this place quite a lot with Michelle when she was still around. His friend loved tacos and it was one of her favorite spots.
‘Welcome to Torchy’s Tacos! What can I get you, Officer?’
He smiled and ordered, paid, and waited on the side as they were getting his order ready.
Behind him, the waiter told the same to a young woman. Carlos stayed focused on his surrounding, waiting patiently. Lots of workers were eating here during their breaks. The place was fairly big, and welcomed mostly families for dinner. His eyes locked for a few seconds with the young woman, and after a smile, he turned his gaze away, lost in his own head.
At some point, he was called to the front desk, just like the young woman.
They both got their orders.
And then they turned around, towards the exit.
The mouth-watering smell of the taco made its way to his nose, and he smiled with anticipation. Skipping breakfast had not been the best idea, but staying a bit more in TK’s arms had been worth everything, after the difficult night he had.
His phone buzzed in his pocket once again. He took it out quickly, seeing a text from his dad.
And then screams.
A loud bang.
A blast.
Then suddenly, everything was plunged into darkness.