Work Text:
“Calling it. Time of death: 19:23,” Tommy’s voice sounded far away to TK’s ears as he continued to kneel next to the 23-year-old man lying in front of him. Skin blue and cold, lips cracked from lack of moisture, hair damp on his forehead from perspiration.
TK vaguely registered Tommy calling his name, but he simply sat there, arms and hands lying limp on his lap before his head slowly dropped to the cold, damp pavement next to the body. No. Ian. The body of Ian. A slight choking sound escaped TK as he struggled to suck in air. Finally, some unseen force made him sit back up as Nancy unfolded the sheet to cover Ian’s lifeless body.
“Give me the keys, TK,” Nancy said.
“What?” TK choked out after Nancy said his name a second time.
“Keys.”
TK briefly saw the worry cross Nancy’s face as she exchanged a look with Tommy, and the firefighters came over to the medics to help load Ian up into the ambulance. Seconds, minutes, or hours passed and yet TK stayed kneeling, looking down at where Ian had laid. His hamstrings burned from staying in this position for so long, and at some point, a gentle hand squeezed his shoulder.
“TK,” Carlos whispered and squatted down in front of TK. “Baby. Tommy called me, told me about the call.” Carlos watched TK intently for any sign of… something and waited out TK’s silence.
“It could’ve been me,” TK finally whispered before looking up with unshed tears as he slowly met Carlos’ eyes. “That was me. Last year. My heart stopped. Same situation, different drug. It was me, Carlos.”
Carlos leaned forward onto his knees and clasped the back of TK’s neck to pull him forward. He cradled his head and whispered in TK’s ear as he trembled.
“Come on, TK, let’s get you home. Tommy sent you and Nancy home for the night,” Carlos stood and held his hand out. TK looked up at him with glassy, red eyes, and Carlos’ heart shattered. TK finally took his hand and let Carlos lead him away.
Before TK knew it, Carlos had unlocked the front door and had sat TK down on the toilet seat to remove his shoes and socks. He was gentle as he removed TK’s utility belt and unbuttoned his work shirt. He turned to turn on the hot water to start a shower before he turned back to continue undressing TK. He didn’t think that TK was aware that he had the man’s blood on his uniform and on his neck from where the man had fallen and hit his head.
Carlos guided TK into the shower and followed him in still in his own clothes. He turned TK around to face him as he lathered his hands with TK’s sandalwood and citrus shampoo, and began to massage his hair clean. TK closed his eyes and leaned his head forward to rest his forehead against Carlos’.
“Thank you for taking care of me, Carlos. I’m sorry,” TK whispered.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. It was a rough night, and I’ll take any chance I can get for you to let me baby you,” Carlos said lightheartedly with a smirk as he tried to lighten the mood. He could feel TK slowly coming back to himself as the steam rose around them, and Carlos felt relieved as the tension began to drain from TK’s shoulders. He finally pulled his face away to look into Carlos’ eyes and gave a small smile.
“You’re so good to me, baby,” TK whispered as he placed a hand on either side of Carlos’ face and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. “And I love you.”