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The Northern Lights were long gone by the time TK and Carlos decided they should head back. They had spent the time gazing at the stars, at each other, and at nothing and everything all at once. It was peaceful and in their line of work, peaceful moments were rare.
Rare and therefore all the more wonderful.
But now it was late, way past midnight, and they were both tired from the day’s events. Even if TK jokingly mentioned they could just wait here and watch the sunrise together, he didn’t mean it. Not really. He was dead on his feet and by the fond smile Carlos gave him, his boyfriend knew that.
Boyfriend.
TK’s heart skipped a little beat at simply thinking that word. Carlos was his boyfriend now, they were finally official. Catching his wrist in front of the car just after they slid off the hood, TK pulled him in and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. The response was instant, Carlos melting against him before resting his forehead against TK’s, both of them breathing deeply.
“Thank you,” TK whispered after a few quiet moments. “Thank you for being patient. For waiting for me.”
“Of course,” Carlos replied as if it was the easiest truth to speak. “You’re worth it.”
Before TK could protest, Carlos quickly shut him up with another kiss, then gently pushed him in the direction of the passenger door. “Now come on, let’s go. If we don’t leave now, we’ll fall asleep here and then you’ll get your sunrise after all.”
“And how is that supposed to convince me to go?” TK asked but walked to the door anyway.
Carlos mirrored him, pointing to the back of his car as he opened the driver’s side door. “Have you seen the back of my car?”
“I’ve been in the back of your car,” he reminded him of the time they took Paul clubbing.
Carlos raised one eyebrow as he held his gaze across the roof of the Camaro and in the end, TK huffed out a little chuckle. “Okay, yeah, you win. No grown man should be forced to sit back there, let alone try to sleep.”
“Exactly. Now come on.”
Without further protest, TK climbed in and took Carlos’ hand the moment they were both situated and the car was started. He caught the loving smile his boyfriend tossed his way before concentrating on getting them back on the road and home safely. The smile turned all the wider when TK lifted their hands to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to Carlos’ knuckles, then rested them in his lap, only letting go whenever Carlos needed to shift gears. The connection was never gone for long, though, their hands always finding the way back to each other right away.
They drove in companionable silence until they passed the city limits and soon approached the crossroad that would either lead to the Strand house or to the condo.
“So,” Carlos asked, clearing his throat, and TK could easily pick up on the nerves. “Am I going left or right?”
“I’m not gonna let go of your hand tonight, no matter where we’re going. Does that help you decide?”
By the wide grin on Carlos’ lips, he understood just fine; not that it was all that hard to decipher. And honestly, if he decided to drive to the house, after all, TK would simply drag him inside with him. As it was, Carlos took the turn towards his own condo and TK relaxed back in the seat.
Miraculously, they made it to the bedroom this time instead of tumbling onto the couch. They also didn’t let their tiredness keep them from sharing kisses along the way, only parting so Carlos could get out a toothbrush for TK and then taking turns in the bathroom to get ready.
Back in the bedroom, Carlos gently helped TK undress, mindful of his reopened bullet wound. While it was more out of necessity than any sexual reasons, it still didn't keep Carlos from letting his hands wander. TK almost purred under the ministrations, arching into the contact and the warmth. He could certainly get used to quiet evenings like these, where the goal wasn’t a quick round in the sheets but rather enjoying the other one just being there.
In the end, they really were too tired to do more than snuggle up under the blankets and share some last, lazy kisses. As TK cuddled into Carlos' embrace, ready to let sleep take him over, he let out a contented sigh. They'd had lots of sex these past few months and even some dates. But this here… this actually marked the first time TK would stay overnight and as he was falling asleep in Carlos' sure embrace, his scent and warmth and touch surrounding him, TK knew that this was the start of something good, something wonderful.
The start of something real.