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“I don’t know how you both managed to get off the same 72 hours straight.” Marjan exclaims.
TK and Nancy just look at each other and smirk, “well Marwani, it’s amazing what people are willing to do for you when you’re nice to them.” TK sasses back.
Paul shakes his finger at TK, “No, Carlos was nice to them, bringing them all those homemade meals while Marvin was out on paternity leave.”
“Hey, Nancy and I covered extra shifts too.” TK argues.
Marjan is already shaking her head back. “Yeah, because you both still owed Marvin and Vic from the last time they covered for you.”
TK shrugs his shoulders as if it makes no difference and really it doesn’t. He’s just so excited that after their shift is done today, he, Carlos, & Nancy have the next 72 hours off. TK has been planning this surprise for Carlos for months now and he’s really excited that it looks like it’s going to work out.
“More important question though is how you managed to get us all tickets for the Pride film-a-thon this weekend. I’ve lived in Austin for years and still haven’t had a chance to go,” Paul addresses TK.
TK blushes and ducks his head, he wasn’t about to share his secret to getting these tickets. Especially not all the babysitting nights he promised Grace for her hooking him up with her contact. He gets out of answering as the alarm goes off for fire and the paramedic team is left alone in the firehouse to start restock.
“I still haven’t thanked you properly for getting me a ticket too. I feel bad for crashing you and Carlos’ date night.” Nancy tells TK as they work on stocking the ambulance.
TK puts away the gauze pads Nancy hands him as he responds, “I still owed you for supporting us both throughout the break-up and then the ice storm. Besides, you’re not interrupting anything, the rest of the crew is joining on Saturday.”
“Dude, first of all, you don’t owe me anything. Everyone knows it was a matter of time before you and Carlos worked your shit out. Second, yeah, but I could still let you guys go tonight on your own.”
TK rolls his eyes and catches the package Nancy throws at him in response. “We’ve been over this Nance, we want you to come. It’s good.”
Just then the sound of the alarm blares. They both listen to the announcement for medical and TK groans.
“Dude suck it up and let’s go.” Nancy tells him as she goes around the front to hop in the passenger side. TK is just climbing out of the back as Captain Vega shows up and climbs in.
“What have we got Cap?” Nancy asks as TK begins to navigate towards the roads indicated from dispatch.
“Couple of campers got lost on a trail and seem to have found themselves on the wrong end of some wildlife.”
“What kind of wildlife?” TK questions.
“Unclear, reception was kind of spotty, It’s going to be a bit of a hike for us to get to them.”
Those words cause TK to groan again and Nancy just shoots him a look that says both shut up and yeah me too.
Two hours and one unwelcome trip to the ED later TK finds himself clumsily navigating into the firehouse on crutches behind Nancy. Carlos is already there waiting for him, and TK cringes when Carlos stands up and catches sight of him for the first time.
“TK,” Carlos sighs and hastens his steps towards him. Hesitating for just a second before wrapping his arms gently around TK’s waist.
TK sinks into the embrace, “I’m okay,” he answers softly, “This isn’t that bad, couple of weeks and I’ll be good as new.”
Carlos pulls back giving him his best mhmm sure look that has TK shrugging, “really. I’m fine.”
“You managed to strain the tendons in your ankle and pull your calf muscle, pretty sure that’s not fine Dude.” Nancy interjects from where she has returned with TK’s duffle from his locker. “Figured you wouldn’t want to attempt navigating on the stairs with those things,” she tells him as she hands the bag over to Carlos.
“Thanks Nance, you still meeting us back at ours? We should still be able to make it on time tonight.”
“TK, you really think it’s a good idea to go out…” Carlos interrupts, but clamps his mouth shut when he sees the searing look TK shoots at him.
Shaking his head at his fiancé and his best friend TK answers, “Yes it is a great idea. I have been looking forward to this for months.” he looks morosely down at his wrapped ankle before finishing sadly, “Might have to skip the after party though.”
“We can take the after party back to our place.” Carlos suggests nudging TK’s shoulder.
At that Nancy starts fake gagging, “Ew, guys no one wants to think about your kind of after party.”
TK, used to this type of teasing from his partner, is amused, but Carlos looks a little bit offended.
“Don’t worry I’ll still meet you at yours,” Nancy reassures, before waving them off as she turns to head back to the lockers.
“Still not going to tell me where we’re going?” Carlos questions as he hovers behind TK while he carefully navigates the few feet to Carlos’ parked car.
TK allows Carlos to take the crutches and guide him down into the passenger seat, “No way, by some miracle I’ve managed to keep it a secret this long. It’s staying a secret until we get there.”
“TK, are you sure we should be going out tonight? We could make it a night in…”
“Carlos.” TK snaps a little, then softens because he knows Carlos is just trying to look out for him and it’s sweet really. “I promise what I have planned for tonight will be fine. I won’t even have to be on my feet long.”
This gets a suspicious look out of Carlos, because it’s not often they go out and aren’t on their feet all night, but he stays quiet as he gets into the car and begins the journey home.
“TK” Carlos breathes as they pull into the valet line and he catches sight of the theatre hosting tonight’s filming for the Pride-film-a-thon. Carlos shoots TK a look full of gratitude and adoration that makes TK feel loved in the best way.
TK waits semi-patiently for Carlos to navigate to his side of the car before he attempts to climb out and takes the crutches Nancy hands him. They make their way slowly up to the entrance and TK enjoys watching Carlos’ face light up even more as they take in the atmosphere of the event.
“Do you like your surprise babe?”
There is clear excitement on Carlos’ face as he turns his attention towards TK. His exclamation of “I love it.” is followed up by a hard kiss that garners some cheers from other attendees gathered near the entrance. Carlos pulls back and TK can see the blush on his cheeks. He’s never been one to display much PDA, but TK admits he loves it when he does.
“How did you even manage to get us tickets?” Carlos wonders aloud.
“Yeah TK, how did you manage to get us tickets, and for the whole weekend no less.” Nancy asked for only the millionth time since he shared his surprise with her.
“Wait, you got us tickets for the whole weekend?” Carlos exclaims in astonishment.
TK blushes under all scrutiny and avoids the question of how he got the tickets by focusing on having the tickets, “yep, and the 126 is going to join us tomorrow and Sunday too,” he exclaims happily.
Carlos, ever aware of the fact that his boyfriend is still precariously moving about on crutches, quickly ushers them through the reception space and into the theater to find their seats. The atmosphere inside is filled with joy and pride and TK is excited to be immersed in this type of environment. There is just something freeing about being in openly queer spaces and about not having to have any reservation about being openly himself.
He feels the change in Carlos also. From the way he easily takes TK’s hand and nuzzles his face into TK’s neck, despite the fact that there are quite a few people seated around them, to the way his eyes haven’t stopped shining since he saw their destination.
Carlos smiles as he takes in the theater and TK turns to Nancy to ask her which film she’s most excited to see this weekend. While TK’s listening to Nancy’s answers he feels Carlos’ breath on his neck and a quiet, “thank you.” floats into his ear.
TK turns towards Carlos and his breath catches in his throat when he realizes they are so close he wouldn’t have to move to kiss him. Carlos doesn’t hesitate to do just that and the kiss lasts longer than any other kiss TK can remember them sharing in public. Let alone in such a crowded space. By the time Carlos pulls away TK has to suck in a big breath and it’s as if his ears are just coming back online when he hears cheers and applause from people seated around them. Nancy has joined in on the fun, teasing them with a loud whistle, and Carlos blushes a deep red before burying his head in TK’s neck in embarrassment. TK just laughs loudly and pulls Carlos out from his hiding space.
“I love you.” TK exclaims fiercely.
One would think TK would be used to the feeling of pure happiness that settles in his heart at the look Carlos grants him right now, but he hopes he never gets used to it. He hopes they never stop having moments like these.
“I love you too.” Carlos answers back, and TK feels the words deep into his soul.