Work Text:
There’s one place that I call home and that’s because you’re there.
- The Birdcage (1996) dir. Mike Nichols
May 2021
Carlos says, “I love you” in so many different ways, and TK loves each and every one of them.
There’s the standard, “I love you,”; that’s the one that fills TK with so much warmth; it could help him survive a cold winter's night.
He’s particularly fond of “I made your favorite for dinner,”; that’s one that TK could hear Carlos say every single night, and he would never get sick of it.
He’s even more fond of, “This song made me think of you,”; that’s the one that makes TK realize just how lucky he is. Carlos hears a story of love and finds a way to find TK in it.
Then, there’s his favorite,“Call me when you get home.” Maybe it’s a cop-out; seeing as it might be the one TK hears him say the most.
He first heard Carlos say it the first night they met. At first, TK found it a little strange. He thought it was overkill, in a way; the night had meant nothing. They had meant nothing; nothing more than a good time and a distraction.
Regardless, TK called Carlos and told him he made it home. TK could hear the smile in Carlos’ voice when he said, “Good, I just wanted to make sure you got home safe.”
And TK, well TK didn’t really know how to respond to that. All his life, he felt like he was the one who was meant to take care of other people. Take care of them, watch over them, make sure they were, well, safe. Even if they never felt that way about him.
Having someone feel that same way about him was foreign. TK hated it, he loved it, and he hated that he loved it.
He tried to suppress that part of him that didn’t want to fall prey to this same old story, time and time again. He tried to fight it.
Eventually, he lost that fight; and every time Carlos told him to call him when he got home, he’s so glad that did.
Even after they made it official, walk hand and hand and throw around the term boyfriend like a weightless force; Carlos never stops saying it.
When he leaves, and heads back to a bed that doesn’t seem nearly as warm, Carlos will kiss him goodnight and say, “I love you, call me when you get home.”
TK feels like he was being loved twice as much.
December 2021
Carlos stares at the dinner table; set for just one. He tries not to think too much about the break-up; but he’s found that he’s made TK’s favorite for dinner once again. He looks at his front door, like he’s waiting for TK to walk through it.
He lies in bed that night; just wanting to know if TK’s safe, if he made it home. Even if that home isn’t with him.
January 2022
Carlos is convinced his heartbeat has started to fall in sync to beeping sound of TK’s heart monitor. He’s exhausted, fatigued, irritable and he knows that he’s not going anywhere. Not until he’s sure TK is safe.
—
When TK wakes up, Carlos is the first person he sees and he thinks he might be dreaming. When Carlos places a hand on his cheek, TK can’t help himself. He pulls Carlos in closer, grasping onto his shirt; a way to ensure that Carlos is there. He’s still there.
In Carlos’ arms, TK feels safe. He feels like he’s home.
February 2022
Carlos is getting ready for bed, he’s in the bathroom brushing his teeth and thinking about the fact it’s no longer his home; but their home. He still has yet to exhale at the thought of it; as if waiting for the other shoe to drop.
He hears the front door open, and waits for TK to greet him with his usual, “Hi babe.” Instead, there’s a beat of silence followed by his phone ringing. It’s TK’s favorite song.
He walks out to the bedroom and grabs his phone off the night stand. He picks it up, the caller ID reading TK Strand with a bright red heart next to it. “Babe?” He questions, knowing TK’s already in the apartment.
“Hey babe,” TK peeks his head in the bedroom doorway, the phone still next to his ear. “I made it home.”