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So give me the future, it's golden and bright
Catch a fever dream in the flash of the lights
Now nothing is certain, and the song isn't done
But new melodies rise up with the sun
Long nights aren’t at all uncommon in his line of work, but Carlos can admit—if only now in hindsight—that he’s pushed himself past his normal bounds.
It’d been worth still being awake when morning broke today. A few hours of lost sleep wasn’t much of a price to pay at all. It was time well spent that led him to a crucial break in the case. But as he takes the elevator up to his loft, Carlos feels the fatigue deep in his bones.
What he longs for now is a hot shower and a good night’s sleep. He rests his back against the elevator wall, his eyes closing for the brief trip up to his floor.
The adrenaline of finding Katie and getting her back to her parents is wearing off, but his mind still buzzes all the same, thinking once more about the look of sheer relief and gratitude in her parents’ eyes to see her again. He’d played a significant hand in reconnecting them, and now, Carlos can only hope they'll be on the road to healing from this traumatic ordeal.
His eyes flutter open once the elevator comes to a stop and dings as the doors open. The hall is silent, no doubt his neighbors have long since called it a night.
He fishes for his keys in his pocket and lets himself in quietly. He isn’t expecting to find the lights on or to see TK wide awake and smiling at him at this hour.
“Hey, babe,” TK calls out from the living room.
After going months on end coming home to an empty space, Carlos can barely put into words what it feels like to be greeted by TK, especially after such a harrowing day.
He toes off his shoes at the door and drops his bag down as well.
TK sits on the floor before the coffee table, the outline of a puzzle on the surface. TK’s has a few piles going with like-colored pieces.
Carlos settles in beside him, pressing a kiss to the cheek TK offers him, letting his nose skim across his skin for a moment before he pulls away.
“I’d ask how your night went, but the story was all over the news,” TK says, looking over at him.
Carlos shakes his head and busies himself with seeing what he can cobble together from the grouping closest to him.
“I feel like I’m living with a celebrity,” TK tacks on, no doubt picking up on how bashful this attention is making Carlos feel.
Carlos rolls his eyes and drags a puzzle piece over to him with his index finger. He holds it up and looks back at what TK has connected so far and spots where his piece fits.
“I was just doing my job.”
“You were doing the job of a detective and you did it so well that you saved a little girl. You went above and beyond. It’s incredible. APD is lucky to have you. They really should give you a raise for this.”
Carlos bites back on his lower lip and rolls a puzzle piece between his fingers.
“Funny you should say that, actually.”
TK looks up at him with a quizzical face, giving him his undivided attention.
Carlos relays his conversation with Detective Washington and how adamant she’d been in voicing her opinion on him taking this next step in his career. It’d been all Carlos could think about on the drive home and the more he talks, the more he’s dying to hear TK’s take on the matter.
“Could I really even do this? I mean, I’ve thought about it, sure, but never this seriously before. Now though…the idea’s got some legs to it.”
TK’s head lobs to the side as he scooches closer to him, their shoulders touching.
“I’m pretty sure you could take on the whole world if you wanted to. This isn’t even the first time your skills made one hell of a rescue. You saved my neck last year and Nancy’s and Tommy’s.”
As if Carlos could ever forget that godawful night. Far too much was at stake. He had to get that right.
“Look at what you did for this family. Because of you Katie is safe with her parents again. You’re brilliant, Carlos. Don’t go doubting yourself,” he says, reaching up a hand and gently massaging the nape of Carlos’ neck.
Carlos lets out a soft breath at the feel and relaxes a bit more under his boyfriend’s touch.
“But,” TK continues, a wide smile on his face, “if you feel yourself getting discouraged, just know that I believe in you enough for the both of us. There’s nothing you can’t do.”
Carlos smiles warmly at this, feeling a fluttering sensation in the pit of his stomach. He wonders if he’ll ever fully get used to this. If one day he won’t get butterflies and just learn to casually accept words like these from TK’s lips. He certainly hopes not.
“My biggest cheerleader,” he muses.
“And don’t you forget it.”
TK searches his face and it melts Carlos’ heart to see the admiration brimming in his boyfriend’s gaze.
“I’m so proud of you, Carlos,” TK says, putting into words what his face so clearly tells him.
All the same, it’s nice to hear it explicitly.
Carlos buries his face in the crook of his neck and breathes him in. His lips brush his throat and Carlos can feel the uptick in TK’s pulse at that brief bit of contact. It feels good to be this close, to feel the thrum of his blood racing beneath his skin. Carlos sighs, runs his palms across the expanse of TK’s back.
He pulls away and gets back to helping TK with the puzzle, finding a piece that connects to another.
“I’ll be your study buddy for the test, if you’d like that,” TK volunteers as he resumes work on the puzzle, too. “We can get a nice reward system going and everything. Incentive, you know?”
Carlos lifts a brow and eyes him suspiciously.
“You may wind up being a distraction. I’d imagine that’s actually part of your intent here.”
TK does his best to look affronted, but fails miserably.
“I’m offended by that accusation, Detective Reyes. I promise, my intentions are purely noble.”
Carlos' heart skips a beat at the word detective with his last name hitched to it. He can definitely get used to that, though it feels woefully premature to say it now.
“You’re going to jinx it.”
“No, I’m speaking it into existence,” TK counters. “The universe will do its thing. After all, you were meant for this. It’s bound to happen on its own anyway. I’m just…giving it a little nudge.”
TK leans in and pecks his lips, but Carlos suddenly craves more. TK’s unfailing belief in his capabilities just does something to him. He places his hands on either side of TK’s face and kisses him deeply, pouring everything he can’t find the words for into it. TK is pliant as ever and settles back against the ground the moment Carlos starts to lean into him.
Their puzzle is abandoned for the night in favor of other recreational activities.
“What’s on the menu for tonight?” TK asks, coming into the kitchen where Carlos is working on meal prep.
Carlos had extended an offer to his parents to join them for dinner tonight. It’s been far too long since Carlos has hosted anyone and with this new job prospect on the horizon, it just feels like the perfect time for guests.
It feels significant to have his parents be the first people they entertain in their new home together.
He does his best to block out the nerves creeping in over sharing his most recent life update with his parents, more so his dad. He thinks back to last year and his father expressing his pride over him uncovering where TK and the paramedics were being held. But to make an actual career out of detective work is an entirely different beast. Would Gabriel find him suited for the job?
“Honey glazed salmon with a simple spinach rice and seared vegetables,” he answers. “And, before you ask, I am making some of that fresh bread you like.”
“Have I told you lately that I love you?”
“Yes, Rod Stewart, you said quite a few times last night actually, in several octaves.”
TK hip checks him, but laughs.
“You’re the worst. What can I help you with?” he offers, looking at all the ingredients spread out on the counter.
“I’ll put you on vegetable duty.”
TK salutes him before going to the sink to wash his hands. They work together perfectly in the kitchen, orbiting each other as they move around to grab the things they need. This is far more in line with what Carlos had in mind all those months ago when they both first fell in love with this loft.
Little moments like preparing a meal together, sharing space. Building blocks towards a happily ever after. It makes Carlos so happy he can’t help but to steal kisses here and there. TK gets in a few of his own as well.
Time seems to move differently with his boyfriend and before Carlos realizes it, everything is set for the night. He and TK carry the dishes over to the dining room table, filling water glasses and adjusting place settings just so.
Now that the time is drawing so near for his parents to arrive, Carlos can feel himself growing a bit antsy.
TK must pick up on it because he comes close to him and settles his hands on Carlos’ chest, smoothing his palms against his button down shirt. The gesture gets Carlos’ heart racing for a completely different reason now. It’s enough to quiet the static in his head.
“Thank you,” he says simply. But he knows TK understands just how much it encompasses.
TK kisses his forehead just as a knock sounds on the door.
TK lets his hands fall away and Carlos heads for the front of the loft to greet his parents. He takes one last deep breath before reaching for the doorknob.
When he opens the door, he is immediately blinded by the big smile on his mother’s face. She hands the portable cake carrier she’s holding over to his father. Carlos sees a quick flash of strawberries and is all too happy to see she’s made her strawberry meringue— one of his favorites.
She throws her arms open wide and Carlos goes willingly, letting himself be wrapped up in a hug from his mother.
“Mi amor,” she sighs as he crouches down and secures his arms around her in return.
“Hi, Ma. How are you?”
Andrea pulls back to look at him, one hand cupping his cheek.
“Better now that I’m seeing you.”
Her thumb brushes against his face. But as she looks past his shoulder, she moves away, and her arms open once more.
Carlos looks over his shoulder and sees TK bounding towards her. Carlos smiles to himself at the sight of his mother fussing over TK, no doubt checking in to make sure he’s still feeling well.
He turns back and looks to his father who pulls him into a quick side hug.
“Dad. I’m glad you guys could come over.”
“Thank you both for having us. We’ve missed these dinners.”
Carlos agrees; it’s yet another thing he’s happy to have back in place now that he and TK are together again.
Carlos leads them over to the living room where TK and his mother are standing about and chatting.
“Dinner’s actually ready,” Carlos says as TK shakes Gabriel’s hand.
Carlos frees his dad from the cake and it’s starting to feel more like a game of hot potato.
TK extends a hand, gesturing Andrea towards the dining area as Carlos makes a beeline for the kitchen and drops off tonight’s dessert. It’s silly to be feeling nervous about telling his parents what is very clearly good news. He knows that, rationally, and yet all logic has apparently slipped out the front door the moment he let his parents in.
He grips the edge of the counter with both hands and rolls the small bit of tension out of his neck.
“Relax.”
Carlos startles at the sound of TK’s voice in the room with him. He smiles quickly, but TK knows him too well to be fooled by it.
“They’re going to be thrilled. This is an amazing thing that’s about to happen for you, Carlos. Your folks are going to be beyond happy, not to mention proud.”
For as much as Carlos hates to think about it, he knows his anxiety has always been his biggest personal adversary. He can easily work himself into a frenzy if he allows himself to think too much on certain matters. It’s something he’s actively trying to work on and having TK there to help him keep his calm does wonders for his state of mind. TK just gets him, even without him having to state what he’s thinking plainly.
TK drapes his arms over Carlos’ shoulders and Carlos leans forward, letting his forehead rest lightly against his boyfriend’s. He closes his eyes and just stands there for a few seconds, letting TK’s presence anchor him.
He nods once and TK kisses him quickly.
“Come on, let's not keep your parents waiting.”
TK holds onto his arm as they head back into the dining room. They settle in at the table, TK to his left and his mother right across from him.
“Dinner looks good, as always,” she compliments, her eyes raking over the spread.
Carlos beams. It’s thanks to her that he got into cooking in the first place. Getting her stamp of approval never gets old.
They all fall into easy conversation as they fix their plates and start to eat. Andrea begins telling Carlos the latest happenings on the ranch as TK and Gabriel talk about baseball, playfully trash talking each other’s teams.
It’s still surreal to look at his life now, and see all the ways in which it is playing out as he’d once been almost too afraid to want, for fear of never actually having it.
But here he is now, seated at a family dinner with the love of his life folded effortlessly into the mix as if he’s always somehow been a fixture. Conversation is easy throughout the meal with the four of them.
“I have some news I’d like to share,” Carlos says loudly enough to get everyone’s attention.
He looks over at TK who is already smiling at him encouragingly.
The space is quiet enough for Carlos to hear his mother take in a breath. He quickly turns to her and shakes his head. Her eyes are wide and it’s obvious where her thoughts are now.
“No, Ma. We aren’t there just yet,” he says, his face warming a bit as he hears his words play back. It’s the second admission in as many days about how he views his relationship with TK.
He looks back at his boyfriend again and is eased by the soft smile on TK’s face, every bit as smitten as Carlos feels now.
Yet.
The inevitability of him and TK taking that step is clear as day to everyone in the room. There’s no need to worry he’s being presumptuous.
It’s a matter of when not if with them.
His mother jokingly makes a face and sets her now empty plate to the side, her hands clasping on the tabletop.
“Okay, what’s this big news then?”
Carlos sits up and wipes at his mouth with his napkin before setting it down on his plate.
“I think you’re overselling it here. I just said it was news. I never claimed it was monumental or anything.”
“Maybe, but it’s clearly very important if it’s got you two so excited,” Andrea says.
“It’s going to be history if you don’t let him get it out already, my love,” Gabriel chimes in.
Andrea scowls jokingly and kisses her husband’s cheek, draping an arm over his shoulder. Both his parents look at him expectedly and Carlos feels his heart rate ratchet up a few more notches.
Beside Carlos, TK takes his hand under the table and laces their fingers, brushing his thumb against the back.
It’s just what Carlos needs to shake off his nerves a bit.
“Detective Washington thinks I should sit for the detective’s exam,” he blurts out.
Both his parents' eyes widen, but smiles quickly paint his mother’s lips. Andrea places a hand over her heart, her smile somehow growing wider. It’s bright enough to make the sun jealous.
“Carlos, that’s wonderful! You’re going to do it, yes?”
“I think I will. I feel ready. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous though.”
Andrea waves him off. “You’re going to be amazing at this. I just know it.”
Carlos’ eyes drift over to his father who has an unreadable expression on his face.
“Good work, Carlitos,” is all he says with a slight dip of his head.
Carlos fiddles with his fork, curious to know what thoughts linger in his dad’s head now. But he can’t bring himself to ask for more just then.
Dinner wraps and TK helps Carlos stack plates, but he gently declines TK’s offer to bring them into the kitchen. Carlos wants a small reprieve, a few short minutes to himself.
“I’ve got it,” he says, kissing TK’s temple before taking the dishes to the kitchen.
There had been nothing to worry about. Dinner went perfectly, just as the logical part of his brain—and TK— had ensured him it would. But anxiety had a funny way of clouding his perception and now Carlos can’t stop dwelling on his father’s quiet praise, wondering if there’s more below the surface.
At the sink, he turns on the water and adds soap to let the dishes soak.
His father steps into the kitchen, tossing a smile his way. Carlos shuts off the tap and turns to face him.
“So, detective, huh?” Gabriel says, taking a beer from the fridge.
Carlos runs a quick hand through his hair, draws in a breath and nods. He hadn’t been expecting his father to touch the subject again.
“Has a nice ring to it,” Gabriel continues.
Carlos doesn’t say anything, just leans back on the counter, his hands gripping the edge.
“You didn’t say much at the table. I was wondering if you approved.”
He recalls his mother’s words to him at TK’s hospital bedside a few weeks back, her telling him just how proud they both were of the man he is.
Carlos feels nerves in the pit of stomach and he does his best to school his features. But he knows his anxious eyes must give him away as his father looks at him.
“I was thinking about that time you were ten,” Gabriel begins. Carlos isn’t sure where he’s going with this, but he silently follows.
“It was the only time your mother and I were ever called to your school. We thought they had the wrong Carlos Reyes. Surely our boy couldn’t have been sent to the principal’s office. You were sticking up for that Ramirez kid. Quiet as you were, you couldn’t sit back and watch the other boys picking on him. You didn’t throw a single punch, just used your words when it mattered most. Stepped in when you felt you needed to, even though it meant putting yourself at risk, too.”
Carlos smiles to himself. It hadn’t seemed like much at the time. It’d just felt like the right thing to do, but his father’s eyes shine with such fondness at the memory.
“You didn’t even know that boy, but it mattered enough to you to help. All you’ve ever wanted to do was protect others. Classmates, the animals on the ranch. You care so much. It’s beautiful, Carlitos.”
Gabriel sighs and takes a sip of his drink.
“Maybe I’m truly getting to be an old man, but sometimes I can’t wrap my head around just how much time has passed and just how much you’ve grown.”
Gabriel almost sounds as if he’s far away, so lost he apparently is in his thoughts as he continues to speak.
“You’re not a little kid anymore, but you’ll always be my boy. My son with the big heart who cares so deeply about the world around him that he’s made it his life’s work to protect his community.”
His father’s eyes are thoughtful as his gaze settles back on him. Carlos doesn’t move an inch, just holds his breath as his thoughts race.
He’s spent so long thinking these very same characteristics were a hindrance in his father’s eyes. For a time, he knows that to have been the case. But this last year and a half has been impactful on their relationship and allowing them to truly see each other.
“I think Austin will be all the better with you as a detective,” Gabriel says decidedly.
He says it with such finality as if his opinion is law. Carlos feels lucky to be surrounded by people with such unshakeable faith in him.
“Thank you.”
Gabriel nods and turns the bottle he’s holding over in his hand.
“I know I haven’t always supported you in the ways I should have, Carlos, and I regret that. But I want you to know I’m always in your corner.”
Carlos’ eyes widen. He isn’t used to this kind of candor from his father. It means a great deal to hear it.
“You’re a good cop. But more than that, mijo, you’re a good man. Above all else, that’s what I’m proudest of when it comes to you,” he says, tapping his index finger against the center of Carlos’ chest.
In the next room, his mother’s laugh rents the air. Carlos wonders what she and TK must be talking about to earn a laugh like that out of her, but it puts a smile on his face.
All the people he loves most in the world are here in this space now, talking and bonding and growing in the love and appreciation they have for each other. It’s all he could have ever asked for in this life.
In a word, Carlos feels blessed to have this.
Gabriel lowers his hand and takes a breath, clearly ready to switch gears. He’s never been too big on emotions which makes Carlos all the more appreciative that he’s been learning how to open up more. In many respects, Carlos is learning how to do that, too.
“How are you feeling about the exam itself?”
“A little nervous, but in a good way. It’s exciting and it really meant a lot that Detective Washington thought I should go for it. That she sees my potential. I just hope that if I pass, I’ll be able to continue to do good work. So many of you believe in me. I want to go out there and really make a difference.”
Gabriel’s head tips slightly to the side.
“When you pass. You’ve got strong instincts. You’re compassionate, you’re resourceful. Don’t doubt your greatness. Step into it.”
Carlos lets those words wash over him. It’s the ultimate stamp of approval.
“So, you soon may have a detective for a son.”
Gabriel scrunches up his face jokingly.
“Eh, it’s no Texas Ranger…,” he trails off, puffing up his chest before laughing.
Carlos rolls his eyes and laughs too, playfully nudging his dad’s arm before growing a bit serious.
“Really though, thank you, Dad. This means a lot to me. More than you know.”
Gabriel steps closer and gently cups the back of his neck.
“I’ll be sure to tell you more often so you don’t forget or doubt it, but I couldn’t be happier. This is only the beginning for you.”
Carlos smiles at this as his father searches his eyes before pulling him in for a hug. Carlos’ chin rests on his dad’s shoulder for a moment before they pull away.
It feels as if a weight has been taken off his chest; Carlos can truly breathe easier now.
He turns his head slightly at motion in the corner of his eye. TK slowly comes into the kitchen, clearly feeling as if his timing is poor. Carlos smiles softly to reassure him he isn’t interrupting.
“I’m sorry. Andrea asked me to bring the cake over.”
“She’s got an even bigger sweet tooth than me, despite what she thinks. But we do have reason to celebrate,” Gabriel says, giving Carlos’ shoulder a quick squeeze before picking up the cake from the center island.
Carlos watches him go, sees his mom clap her hands together and strike up a conversation with his father as he removes the lid.
“Everything okay?” TK asks, coming closer to him.
He watches his parents over TK’s shoulder from where he stands in front of him now.
His past. These two people who raised him up from the moment he came into this world.
Carlos focuses back on TK, his blue-green eyes searching his face, so eager to provide comfort and support should Carlos need it now.
His present.
He thinks of all that is yet to come. His future with these people he loves so dearly backing him up.
His life feels so rich.
“Honestly, things have never been better than they are right now.”
His father’s words echo in his mind. This truly is just the beginning. The road ahead is laid out for him, filled with many unknowns. Within that are boundless opportunities, all his for the taking. He need only be bold enough to claim it.