Work Text:
=•=•=
Carlos finally returns home after the gruelling day of work. The weight of his responsibilities and the intensity of his job slowly melt away as he steps through the front door. All he wants now is to find solace and comfort in the loving embrace of his boyfriend.
TK, with his soft smile and caring eyes, greets Carlos at the door. “Hey, baby”, he says, cradling Carlos’ face in his cool palms.
“Hey, babe”, Carlos smiles at him, closing his eyes and waiting for his kiss. He sighs into it when it comes, arms coming up around TK’s waist and pressing their bodies closer.
When they pull apart for air, TK runs a hand through his boyfriend’s curls and presses a kiss on his forehead. He takes Carlos's hand and leads him upstairs to their bedroom. Carlos is happy to follow him anywhere after the kind of day he had.
“I’m just about done with making dinner,” TK says, helping him get out of his uniform. “How about you take a shower and join me downstairs, hmm? I’ll lock up your gun in the safe and queue up something to watch.”
“You should be resting, TK,” Carlos protests weakly. It’s been a few days since the paramedic hostage situation. TK had to stay at home while the concussion let up. Carlos took a couple days off to take care of him, and it wasn't easy to watch him struggle with nausea and light sensitivity. “How are you feeling today?”
“Much much better. Tommy says I could get back to work in two days,” TK replies, placing a tender kiss on his bare shoulder, and Carlos just wants to melt into a puddle. “Besides, I’m done with resting. And I wanted to do something nice for you. You always do it for me.”
“Sweet. Thank you, babe”, Carlos says, a tired smile gracing his soft lips. “No angsty movies, please.”
“Romcoms it is, then”, TK teases, biting his lip, eyes soft as his hands squeeze his boyfriend’s.
“TK!” Carlos protests. “I just said no angst.”
“Fine, fine,” he rolls his eyes with a grin. “MasterChef Australia sound good?”
“That’s better,” Carlos sighs, pressing a kiss on his mouth. “Thank you.”
“Of course”, TK says, kissing him once more and nudging him towards the bathroom.
=•=•=
By the time Carlos is in the living room, TK had already brought their bowls of food and water bottles to the coffee table, and is sitting on the couch, waiting for him with a smile. He settles onto the soft sofa, his body sinking into the cushions. He rests his head on TK's shoulder, feeling the tension in his muscles that still lingered after the hot shower start to fade away. TK's arms wrap around him, providing a sense of security and tranquillity that only a true partner can offer.
"Feeling better?" TK asks, nuzzling into his hair. He smiles when Carlos just grunts, "Do you wanna go to bed early tonight?"
Carlos sighs, sitting up and grabbing their food, "Maybe. I'm hungry right now and can't wait to finish this cheesy pasta."
He leans back against TK's side, as they relax into each other and indulge in the delicious meal. Carlos has always felt grateful that TK is as interested in cooking and health as he himself is. It probably has something to do with their jobs (even if Mateo lives to prove otherwise) but Carlos is glad, nonetheless. It gives him another excuse to spend time together. They mostly eat in silence, with TK commenting on how the judges could give a better feedback, how the dishes look beyond what a home-cook could do, and Carlos humming in agreement once in a while. Their dinner is done just as the episode comes to an end.
When TK gathers their empty bowls and stands to go into their kitchen, Carlos holds his wrist to stop him. "Can you read something to me tonight?" he asks, eyes tired and droopy.
"Of course, baby," TK smiles, dropping a kiss on his head. "Why don't you go pick a book and wait in bed for me? I'll start the dishwasher and lock up downstairs.
When Carlos nods and hauls himself up the stairs, TK stands there and watches him for a minute as a mix of concern and curiosity swirls in his mind. He knew his man had a long shift today from the way his eyes were dim, but he hadn't anticipated this. Carlos only asks him to read something before bed when his head is noisy. TK can't help but wonder what might have happened today and if there's anything he can do to help ease Carlos's burden.
=•=•=
Carlos is flipping through Rachel Hawkins' Her Royal Highness when TK finally makes it to their bed. He smiles up at TK, tilting his head in a silent request for a kiss. And TK gives him what he wants, holding his face in his palms because Carlos is a precious pearl that needs to be loved. He slips under the covers next to Carlos, chuckling when his boyfriend abandons the book in his lap to cuddle into him. They stay like that for a while, TK rubbing Carlos' back and Carlos just breathing TK in.
"Wanna talk about it?" TK offers.
Carlos heaves a heavy sigh before shaking his head, "Just another case where a woman was pistol-whipped by her ex-husband. She has a fracture in her skull and is in a coma now."
"Ouch", TK winces, understanding that today's case probably reminded Carlos of TK's hostage incident.
He just hums, and they stay silent for a few minutes before he speaks up, "TK, can I ask you to do something for me?"
"Of course, baby. What is it?"
Carlos sits up a little to look at TK's face, his lips drooping and eyes pleading, "I want you to learn how to use a gun. How to defend yourself."
"What?"
"I know that our jobs are dangerous and we deal with crazy people every single day. With your run-ins with these criminals and guns lately, I'm worried about your safety when I'm not around," Carlos says and continues before TK can respond. "I know, I know none of them were your fault, that accidents happen. Especially with our jobs. But I want you to be prepared, just in case. TK, please, let me teach you how to use a gun. And, and maybe some self-defence techniques."
"Carlos, baby, I know you're worried. But you just had a bad day—"
"I'm not being paranoid, TK. This is about your safety!" Carlos says, desperately trying to convince his boyfriend. "You don't have to become an expert, just learn the basics. Just so you can buy yourself time if something happens. It would give me peace of mind knowing you can protect yourself if needed. It's just— I can't, I can't lose you, baby. I don't—"
"Hey, hey, Carlos, baby, I'm okay now. You found me, baby. You came to me," TK speaks softly, bringing Carlos closer into his arms. He was restless for the first couple of days after TK was sent home with three stitches in hairline and instructions on how to deal with his concussion. They had talked about it, how Carlos and Owen were worried. But TK hasn't realised it was still haunting Carlos like this. "I'll do it, okay? I'll learn how to defend myself and hold my ground. I'm sorry I didn't see it hurting you like this."
Carlos shakes head, both worry and relief rolling off his body. "Not your fault. I didn't say anything until now. But, today... you should've seen that woman, TK. She was unresponsive, her eyes looked dead. And my mind just wouldn't stop picturing you in her place. I know you're strong, but I want to know you can fight. Am I— Am I asking too much?" he asked, eyes filled with uncertainty.
"No, no," TK assures him immediately. "Not at all, baby. You're only asking me to be able to protect myself. I can see where you're coming from."
Carlos sighs deeply, body relaxing against his boyfriends, "Thank you. Thank you, babe."
"I should be thanking you, silly," TK chuckles, kissing his forehead. "So, you really wanna read Her Royal Highness?"
"You got something better?"
"I can always ask Mateo for some nice Captain America fanfiction. I bet he reads Cap and IronMan ones."
"I didn't even watch the movies to understand any stories, babe."
"I can help you with that. Besides, you're only missing the CGI and stunt work, and maybe some beautiful, hot people in skintight clothes. But, they're just a bunch of emotionally constipated assholes."
Carlos laughs at that, loving how TK's laughter feels against his skin. He intertwines their hands, fingers gently caressing each other's skin. Soft kisses are exchanged, tender expressions of love and affection. The outside world fades into the background as they immerse themselves in the intimacy of the moment.
"I love you", he says.
"I love you, too", TK smiles.
Time seems to stand still as they bask in the warmth of their connection, their bodies pressed close, finding solace in the simple act of being together. It is in these moments that they find strength, knowing that they have a partner who will always be there, who'll always look out for the other, no matter the challenges they may face.
=•=•=