Work Text:
“Psst.. ‘Los.”
Carlos stirred awake to the feeling of a gentle poke at this ribcage, trying his best to ignore the feeling until he noticed it again. After the second poke, he slowly blinked his eyes open to be met by TK staring at him, way more awake than Carlos himself felt.
“Mi Amor?” He asked quietly, his voice still heavy from sleep before bringing one of his hands up to rub at his eyes. Even though it was early, concern like normal managed to find its way into his voice, the same way it always did when it came to TK and making sure he was safe.
“Babe, what’s wrong?” Carlos asked again, hoping TK would be able to talk to him. To tell him anything about why he had that look on his face.
TK let out a quiet sigh as he looked over at Carlos, feeling almost too dramatic than the early hour in the morning should have allowed for.
“I just... I have a question for you and it’s important. ” He emphasized wanting Carlos to take him seriously
Carlos nodded, letting out a small yawn before giving TK his full attention. “What’s your question, Mi Amor?” He asked, figuring whatever he was thinking had to be important considering their long shifts the previous day before.
They’d both ended up getting home late, practically ready to pass out from exhaustion. However, as much as Carlos had been tempted to just crawl into bed and sleep for a week straight, TK had convinced him into sharing a midnight snack before they finally ended up asleep.
He’d assumed they’d sleep for hours after that, not expecting instead to be woken up just hours after. Especially not to whatever question he’d come up with when they were supposed to be sleeping.
TK hesitated for a split second before letting out another sigh as he rolled onto his side, meeting Carlo’s eyes. “Do you like me? Like actually like me?” He asked, his tone deadpanned.
Carlos blinked as TK’s question settled in, looking over at his husband as if he’d almost lost his mind. Clearly not expecting that to be the question he decided to ask.
“Do I.. like you?” He questioned slowly, making sure he actually understood the question that was currently being asked.
“Yeah, you know. Do you like me?” TK repeated, looking at him with wide eyes as he patiently awaited his answer.
“TK, babe what time is it?” Carlos asked, sitting up in their bed and reaching over to turn the lamp that set on his nightstand on, finding it just before four in the morning. Way too early for existential questions about their relationship. After checking the time, he moved back down by TK, resting his head just on the edge of his own pillow.
“Baby, I married you. Almost two years ago now for the record.” He reminded him, bringing the gold ring that sat on TK’s finger up, running his thumb over it. A reminder of the matching on sat on his own.
Their wedding ceremony had been small, only their closest friends and family but for them, it had been perfect. After many discussions about where to hold their wedding, they ended up settling on the Reyes family ranch as their venue. TK knew Carlos would never have asked, especially if he wasn’t sure TK himself would want it there but in the end, TK wanted nothing more than to hold it in a place that meant a lot for both of them.
It had really been the perfect day for all of them. A day neither of them were ever going to forget.
TK let out a small exhale before shaking his head. “I know that. Believe me, I was there. But when you actually married me, was it as more of a friend? Or as a husband? Basically, did you marry me as a friend?” He explained almost as if it should have been obvious.
Carlos raised an eyebrow, trying his hardest to let a small laugh escape at the question. Trying his best to understand his husband's actions and not accidentally answer the question wrong.
“Can I ask what brought this question up, Mi Amor? Especially at four in the morning? After a long shift when we’re supposed to be sleeping.” Carlos asked curiously, giving him a small reassuring smile.
“I had a dream. It... I was at the station with everyone and one of them made a comment about you liking me more as a friend. And that just got me thinking. How do you know you don’t consider me a friend? Because you’re
my
friend but you’re also my husband?” He questioned, waving his hand around the darkroom, trying to make sense of his point.
Carlos finally a quiet chuckle slip out before moving closer to TK, pulling him further into his side.
“Technically to answer your question, I married you as both of them. Yes, you’re my husband but you’re also my best friend. And I think the two can co-exist together. We stood in front of both of our families and made promises we both intend to keep forever. You’re the first person I look forward to seeing each morning and the last person I know I’m seeing before we go to sleep at night. You’re the one who always keeps me humble and I know I do the same for you.” Carlos started his words almost too adequate for four in the morning, before leaning down to press a kiss to his forehead.
“You’re also the one I worry about the most, especially with your track records when it comes to hospitals, and the reason I like it when our calls overlap. I get to make sure you’re safe. So yes, I married you as my husband, but also as my best friend. Does that help answer your question?” Carlos asked gently, looking over at TK.
TK nodded quickly, letting out a few quiet sniffles that managed to appear from his words. He hadn’t expected something so honest and genuine that early in the morning, but coming from Carlos he knew he meant every word. And frankly, it shouldn’t have surprised him.
Carlos had always been a hopeless romantic at heart, something TK learned to love early on at the start of their relationship.
Even with the arguments and the hospital visits, the core of their relationship had never changed.
“I love you ‘Los, and I’m glad you married me. Both as a husband and as a best friend.” He mumbled quietly, letting out a small yawn as the early hour morning hours finally caught up with him. Resting his head on Carlo’s chest, his favourite pillow ever since they started dating years ago.
Carlos smiled before kissing the top of his head again and reaching over to turn the lamp he’d originally turned on-off again, making their bedroom back to it's dark state.
“Love you too, Ty.” He said quietly, figuring it would only take a few minutes before his husband was back sound asleep. Having a small feeling that if he knew his husband well (and yes, yes he did) TK would have little recollection of this conversation in a few hours once they finally up for the day.
“Oh, and baby?” Carlos commented.
TK mustered up just enough energy to nod into his chest, letting him know he was still listening even if he wasn’t awake enough anymore to respond back.
“For the record, this might be the last time I let you convince me to have a midnight snack with you after a late shift before going to bed.” He teased quietly, making himself comfortable next to his husband and best friend as they both quickly fell back asleep.
TK’s question successfully answered by the one person who knew him best.