Work Text:
And I think, Don't stop now. Don't stop. Keep laughing. I don't want this to end.
- Jumping Off Swings, Jo Knowles
There’s a lot of things you miss when the love of your life suddenly stops short of being just that; when the person you thought of sharing forever with doesn’t even want to share a home.
Carlos misses the late night conversations, when TK’s whispers felt like the loudest thing in the room. He misses the way TK’s thumb would rub the back of his hand when they held onto each other, afraid of letting the other one go. He misses the way TK would order an extra side of fries even after Carlos said he didn’t want any because TK knows Carlos better than he knows himself.
He misses the way TK would bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing at a joke he didn’t want to admit he found funny. He misses the laugh that would always follow soon after.
There’s a lot of things you miss when the love of your life suddenly stops short of being just that; when the sound of their laughter is now followed by a stark silence through every room in their wake.
—
When TK wakes from his coma, he pulls Carlos in like it’s a gravitation pull. As if Carlos is supposed to be in his arms; like it’s home.
Carlos wraps his arms around TK and he knows one thing is certain. This is where he’s meant to; where they’re meant to be. With each other.
Carlos laughs at himself for ever thinking anything but.
—
There’s a lot of things you appreciate when the love of your life is suddenly back in your life again.
Carlos loves the way TK sets his alarm to an even number, because there’s already so many things in his life that are odd. He loves the way TK is still adamant about printing out directions because the only place he wants to get lost is in Carlos’ eyes.
He loves that TK still bites the inside of his cheek when Carlos tells a joke that isn’t funny. He loves that TK still inevitably laughs anyways.
—
Carlos makes an off-handed joke during dinner one night. He says it casually, almost like an afterthought. Regardless, TK catches it and laughs.
He laughs and it sounds genuine and true. Carlos can’t help but smile, he feels like the sun has cracked open inside him. He feels a warmth inside himself that’s hot to the touch.
TK looks over at Carlos, he wants to capture his smile like it’s a photograph. “What?”
Carlos shrugs, still smiling. “Nothing, it’s just, I like your laugh.” Carlos doesn’t need to say it, TK can hear the unspoken words.
I’m so happy you’re back.
TK smiles, his mirroring Carlos’. “I like that you can make me laugh.” TK doesn’t need to say it, Carlos can hear the unspoken words.
I’m not going anywhere, ever again.