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The sky was still gray when TK slowly drifted back to the world of the living. Even though it had been a short night, he felt well-rested, which of course was thanks to the man by his side. Without any conscious thought, TK’s lips pulled into a contented smile as he buried his nose deeper into Carlos’ neck, breathing him in.
He stayed like that for another few heartbeats until he finally became aware enough to remember. Today was a big day. For him, but also for those he loved, he knew that now. He wasn’t alone in this, never really had been. His dad had always been there for him, his mom as well in some ways.
But most importantly, the man by his side.
Leaning up, TK propped his head on his hand, gazing down at Carlos, who continued to breathe evenly in and out, still deep asleep. A few wild curls hung into his face and TK carefully brushed them aside, his fingertips just barely making any connection to the warm skin.
God, how he loved this man.
Thinking back now, he couldn’t believe what all had happened in just one year. There were the cliffnotes, of course. The obvious things. Him and his dad moving; rebuilding a firehouse, getting settled in Austin. New crew, new friends, new family.
A new love.
But in reality, it was so much more than that.
There was a slight hitch in Carlos’ breathing and TK was sure he only noticed because he’d been staring at the man nonstop for the past few minutes. A few heartbeats later, those gorgeous eyes opened, and instantly, TK was engulfed by strong arms, brown eyes looking up at him, and a soft smile just for him.
“Good morning,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss his boyfriend fully awake.
“Morning,” Carlos mumbled against his lips, pulling him in even closer.
After a few kisses, TK snuggled up against Carlos’ side, basking in the warmth of his embrace.
“What were you thinking about?”
“Mh?” TK asked, caught off guard by that question.
“Just now,” Carlos said, his lips brushing against TK’s hair and TK was sure Carlos’ eyes were closed again. “When I woke up. You looked deep in thought.”
“Yeah, maybe,” TK admitted. “I was mostly thinking about this past year and how much has changed.”
Turning to look at him, Carlos sought out his gaze before speaking again. “I have a feeling I know the answer but I also don’t wanna assume so… were those changes for the better?”
“Yes.” There was no need for any hesitation, the question probably one of the easiest he’d ever had to answer. “Yes, babe. All of them were for the better. I mean,” he interrupted himself, shrugging his shoulders. “There’s a lot we left behind that I actually loved. But all in all… yeah, totally for the better.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Carlos mumbled, pulling him in for another kiss. “And just so you know, it changed for the better for me as well.”
“Yeah?” TK asked with a little cheeky grin. “What was the best of it?”
“Well, you know,” Carlos began with a rather bored tone as he already rolled atop to bury TK underneath him. “My best friend found her sister again, so that was pretty awesome.”
“Mhh, yeah, that does sound good,” TK hummed in agreement, letting his hand run up and down Carlos’ back.
“There’s also the fact that the firehouse closest to my home is finally up and running again. Makes me feel so much safer.”
TK had to grin at that, biting his lip as he tried to nod with an earnest face. “Oh, that’s definitely a plus, I wholeheartedly agree.”
“Then I had the fortune to watch the northern lights a few months ago – that was pretty spectacular and certainly a wonderful memory.”
“That does sound pretty amazing, yeah. So which of these is your number one?”
“None,” Carlos replied without hesitation, pressing a soft kiss to TK’s brow. “You see, there’s also this man I met…”
“Mhhh, sounds interesting.”
“Oh, he certainly is. Interesting and kind,” another kiss was pressed to the corner of his eye, Carlos’ lips wandering from there while he began to list, “strong, brave, reckless, charming, cute, sexy, and a terrible, terrible danger magnet.”
By the time he stopped listing so many more qualities, TK’s face was covered in kisses and he was giddy with happiness, almost giggling like a little school girl and not caring about it at all. When Carlos’ lips brushed over his, TK surged up, catching them in a deep kiss as he buried his fingers in Carlos’ curls to keep him close.
“He’s also incredible,” Carlos breathed against his lips as the kiss built up in heat, “and definitely the best thing–” he moaned as TK moved just right, TK kissing the sound right off of his lips. “The best thing that has ever happened to me.”
It was the last Carlos spoke for a while.
By the time they had caught their breath again, lazing in each other’s arms, the sun was up, welcoming a new day. But seeing how they both had the day off, neither of them cared.
“Are you nervous?” Carlos asked as he played with TK’s hand, linking their fingers together, over and over again.
TK watched their joined hands as he thought about the question, finally shaking his head. “No, not really. I mean, this is a big milestone, yes. But it– it’s not scary, not anymore, you know? I’m… yeah, I’m more excited about it.”
A kiss was pressed against his head, Carlos nuzzling into his hair. “You know I’m so, so proud of you, right? So unbelievably proud.”
Pulling their joined hands up to his lips, TK turned them so he could press a kiss to the palm of Carlos’ hand before he replied. “I know, yes. And… I’m not saying I couldn’t have done it without you–”
“Oh, I hope you won’t say something like that,” Carlos interrupted firmly, making TK grin before he continued.
“No, I won’t, promise. I know I can do it on my own. But,” turning around so he was able to look at Carlos, he pressed a kiss to his sternum. “Having your support certainly helped. It makes it… well, not easier. But much more bearable. I know I could carry that burden alone but I know I don’t have to.”
For a few long, quiet moments, Carlos simply looked at him, brushing his hand through TK’s hair, down his back, and up again. Until he cupped his neck, gently drawing him into another kiss. “No,” he confirmed. “You don’t have to. Not anymore.”
“I love you, Carlos.”
Carlos hummed against his lips, as if savoring those words. “And I love you, TK.”
“Oh, and for the record,” TK continued after another long kiss, “You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me, too.”
Once again, those were the last words spoken between them for quite some time…