Chapter Text
The day after dinner with Iris, TK walked into the kitchen of the firehouse behind John, one of the newer firefighters. He found himself looking at the back of John’s neck, reminding of the night before when Iris had asked if he had switched from firefighting because he was short. Until that very moment, he had never even really put much thought into his height. He knew that he was the perfect height for Carlos’ lips, that was really all that mattered.
“TK!”
He heard from behind him, turning around he say Paul and Marjan walking towards him from the stairs. He waited for them to catch up. “Hey guys.” TK said as they joined him, side eyeing them to makes sure his memory was correct and that he was taller than both of them.
Sarah and Frank walked in the firehouse, walking past them, allowing TK to quickly measure his height to theirs. It was a split, he was about an inch or two shorter than Sarah, but taller than Frank.
When he looked back to Paul and Marjan, it was to see two identical what the fuck looks on their faces. “What?”
“Why were you sizing them up like you were measuring them for coffins?” Paul asked.
“Oh, that. I was recently told that I was short.” TK told them.
“And that’s a bad thing?” Marjan asked, clearly trying to understand.
“No, not a bad thing. Just a never thought about it before thing.” TK answered.
“Who said you are short?” Paul asked.
TK replied, “Oh, just Carlos’ wife.” Just as a medical call came through. He quickly moved to the ambulance, ignoring their shouts to him.
A little while later, once they had gotten back from their call he saw ten firefighters standing around the counter in the kitchen, waiting for Paul to finish cooking. TK quickly walked around the group, quickly measuring himself to them, seeing that only three were taller, while four were about the same height. Three of them were shorter.
“TK, what the hell are you doing?” Judd asked from his spot in the corner, where he was reading the paper.
“Oh, nothing.” TK replied with an innocent smile.
“That didn’t look like nothing. What are you doing?” Judd asked again, giving TK the same look, he usually gave TK’s father when he was being particularly odd.
“I was just seeing how many of them were taller than me.” TK told him, like it was something he did every day.
Judd shook his head, looked like he was fighting with himself before saying. “I know I am going to regret this, TK. But, why?”
“My fiancé’s wife thinks I am short.” Was all TK said before being called away by his father, he didn’t miss the look of shock on Judd’s face as he ran up to his father’s office.
“Hey dad.” TK said, “What did you need?” standing close enough to use his hand to go from the top of his head over the top of his father’s head, smiling when he saw that he was just slightly taller.
“Did you and Carlos want to come over for dinner this weekend?” Owen asked.
“Sure, do you mind if we bring his wife?” TK asked his dad.
“Whose wife?” Owen asked him.
“Oh, Carlos’. Is it ok?” TK asked again, taking his fathers silent surprise as a yes, so he quickly leaves the upper floor.
Finally, at the end of his shift, he managed to measure his height against the remaining firefighters. When he was on the final one, other than Mateo, he noticed that Nancy was watching him like a hawk. He started moving towards his car, ready to get home and share his findings with Carlos.
When she joined him near the ambulance and garage doors she asked “What are you doing? Why were you checking out every firefighter we saw all shift?”
“Iris asked me if I switched to being a paramedic from a firefighter because I was short.” He answered with a smile.
“Why does that name sound familiar?” Nancy asked.
“Oh, she is Carlos’ wife. See you tomorrow night for Catan.” TK called to her as he got into his vehicle, quickly pulling out of the parking lot, ignoring her shouts, waving as he passes by her.
Several minutes later found TK walking into his home and finding Carlos on the reading on the couch. “Hey babe. I’m not short.” Was all he said as he strolled towards the shower.
“Oh, I know. I heard. All day. Every time you told someone why you were measuring your height, I got a phone call or text. Every single time.” Carlos told him with a smile.
TK pursed his lips, “That wasn’t my intention, it just made me start thinking, but guess what.”
Carlos laughed, “What?”
“I also don’t think it was really safer to be a paramedic, but it was smarter. So, in a way Iris was right.” TK told him with a kiss.