Work Text:
The first time TK wakes up next to Carlos; he calls it a mistake. Well, more of a lapse in judgement; but it’s not like his judgement has ever been his strong suit.
He’s still doing his best to get over Alex, and Carlos doesn’t deserve to be a casualty of that.
He leaves Carlos’ apartment without a second thought.
—
TK wakes up alone; aching for the warmth of another body.
He tries to deny what he’s feeling; tells himself that he’s just trying to break a bad habit.
He’s never been good at lying, not even to himself.
—
TK wakes up next to his boyfriend, and he tries to ignore the way it causes his heart to flutter.
He’s never been good at lying, not even to himself.
—
TK wakes up next to Carlos and there’s a phantom scent of char, and smoke.
Carlos is already awake, and TK can tell he didn’t sleep well. He didn’t expect him to.
Carlos looks over at him, the exhaustion and unshed tears doing their best to be concealed. TK says, “I know.” and pulls Carlos close and holds him tight.
He’ll always be there for Carlos; Carlos has always been there for him.
—
TK wakes up alone.
He and Carlos haven’t spoken he weeks. He’s aching for the warmth of another body.
For Carlos.
—
TK wakes up, he’s overpowered by the smell of disinfectant, bright white lights and the lingering sense of regret. The last thing he remembers his being blanketed by the cold.
He opens his eyes just slightly, and Carlos is standing in front of him. Through a sigh, he says “Hey baby.” And reminds Carlos to breathe.
Carlos wraps him in his arms; it’s the warmest TK has felt in days.
—
TK wakes up next to Carlos in Carlos’ their apartment.
—
TK doesn’t want to wake up; he doesn’t want to accept reality. His mother is gone, and he didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.
He doesn’t want to feel like this, doesn’t want to shut down, or run away.
Carlos is dressed ready for work, and he knocks on the open bedroom door to let TK know he’s leaving. TK barely mumbles out a goodbye, holding a fixed stare on a crack in the wall.
Carlos walks over, crouches in front of him, softly caresses his cheek before asking, “Do you want me to stay?”
TK eyes don’t move, remaining fixed on the cracked paint; he shakes his head just slightly.
Carlos asks, “Do you need me to?”
TK’s glazed over eyes move from the crack in the wall to Carlos’ face.
Carlos nods, “Okay, I’ll stay.”
—
TK wakes up next to Carlos. He’s rising with the sun, the daybreak barely peeking through the blinds.
He looks at the time, then back down at Carlos. He’s convinced he’s pulled himself out a dream. That everything that just happened was too good to be true.
Carlos moans, and peeks an eye open. He’s groggy and drunk with sleep, but TK still think he looks every bit as beautiful as the first time he saw him. Carlos smiles and asks, “What are you looking at?”
TK smiles and responds, “My fiancé”
—
Carlos isn’t there when he wakes up. His side of the bed is cold, unused.
TK doesn’t know how he spent a lifetime before not waking up next to Carlos.
—
Carlos is missing.
Owen, Gabriel, the 126; they’re all trying to stay positive.
TK’s trying too; but he knows that if he remains too much inside his head, he’ll fail.
Andrea grabs his hand, holds it. Her grips is firm, but loving.
They’re going to find Carlos; they will.
Tomorrow TK will wake up, and Carlos will be right by his side, just like he always has and always will.