Work Text:
It has been a morning from hell.
It’s only twelve o’clock in the afternoon, but Carlos is ready to go home to his fiance.
But now, it’s lunchtime and Carlos is getting coffee and he at least gets to go visit his fiance at the firehouse. That’s close enough. Luckily, the 126 don’t mind when he shows up to visit TK.
“No, babe… listen, you don’t understand, it’s been a morning from hell-” Carlos says, phone to his ear as he walks to the coffee shop. Carlos opens the door with his free hand, walking into the coffee shop. “Yeah, I know it’s only twelve in the afternoon. I’m a police officer. Your point is?” Carlos laughs, and walks up behind the guy already in line. “You want your regular?”
Carlos looks up at the menu, but he doesn’t even really know why he’s looking, he knows his and TK’s order by heart, and he usually doesn’t even have to say anything to the baristas working there because he comes to this coffee shop so often and they also know his and TK’s order by heart.
“Thanks,” the guy in front of him says before stepping aside to wait for his order.
“Ah, Mr. Reyes. I was wondering if you were going to show up today,” the barista says.
Carlos smiles at her. “Well, of course. My fiance would absolutely kill me if I didn’t get him his coffee. Oh, he says hi by the way,” he laughs softly. He takes his card out of his wallet to pay for the coffee. “Yeah, babe. I’ll see you in like ten minutes. Bye.” He hangs up and stuffs his phone in his pocket.
“How is your man doing?” Julia asks, looking up at Carlos.
“Working hard, but he’s doing great,” Carlos says, smiling at the barista. “Thanks for asking.”
“Of course. You guys are some of my favorite customers, you know?” Julia smiles back at him. “You know the drill. Your coffee will be ready in a few minutes.”
“Thanks,” Carlos says, and he steps to the side where the other guy is waiting. Carlos takes the time to put his items back in his wallet, and places his wallet in his back pocket. He pulls out his phone to check the time. He can’t help but smile when he sees the photo of him and TK from their proposal night.
“Holy shit,”
Carlos blinks, and he looks over at the guy standing next to him. “Can I help you?”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to… that was TK Strand on your phone?”
Carlos is instantly confused, and he turns to look at him. “How do you know TK?”
“Well, I actually used to date TK a couple years ago, back when he lived in New York,” the man explains. “It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that name.”
Carlos’ eyes widen when he realizes that this man is TK’s ex. Alex. The man that unfortunately caused TK to almost take his life after cheating on him. TK has told Carlos all about him. “Oh,” he says. “What are you doing here in Texas?”
“Visiting some friends. Vacation,” Alex tells him. “How is TK doing?”
“He’s getting married this summer. He’s doing great,” Carlos replies snappily. There is so much he wishes he could say to Alex right now, but they’re in public space and he’d really like to keep his job.
“Alex?”
Alex looks over, and walks over when he sees the barista holding up his coffee. Alex nods, and walks over to grab his coffee. He turns to look at Carlos. “I’d love to see TK again. Is he around?”
“TK wouldn’t have the time. He’s busy working,” Carlos tells him.
“I see. What does he do for work if you don’t mind me asking?” Alex asks.
“I don’t think TK would like me to expose that information to his ex,” Carlos says.
“Right,” Alex says. “Well, I’ve got to get going. Nice meeting you."
“Yeah,” Carlos says, and his eyes never leave Alex as the man walks out of the coffee shop.
“Should I spit in his coffee next time?”Carlos looks over, and can’t help but laugh when he sees Julia standing behind the counter, his and TK’s coffees sitting on the counter. Carlos walks over to him. “I don’t think we’ll have to worry about him,”
“He sounds like a jerk,” Julia says.
“He cheated on TK after three years of dating. TK was going to propose to him,” Carlos explains.
“Definitely a jerk,” Julie says, and she shakes her head. “Well, I’ll let you get to your man.”
Carlos smiles. “Thanks, Julia. I’m sure I’ll see you again,” he says, before grabbing the two coffees and heading out of the coffee shop.
Carlos wastes no time in going straight to the firehouse. He finds TK immediately.
“Finally!” TK grins as soon as he sees Carlos, and he walks up to him, greeting him with a kiss, and taking the coffee from him. TK can instantly see the upset look on Carlos’ face. “What’s wrong?"
“We need to talk,” Carlos says quietly. “Privately.”
TK stares at him with concern, before slowly nodding, and leading the way to the bunk room. He shuts the door, and turns to look at Carlos. “What’s going on? You look-”
“Well,” Carlos clears his throat. “I just had the pleasure of meeting your ex boyfriend.”
TK blinks, and then his eyes widen. “Alex?” He hisses. “Alex is here? In Texas?”
“Apparently,” Carlos scoffs. He crosses his arms against his chest. “Vacation, or something like that. Babe, I didn’t even know it was him until he said something when he saw my phone background photo.”
TK frowns. “He knows I’m here?”
Carlos nods. “Yeah, and he seemed real curious about wanting to know your whereabouts,”
“Why?” TK asks nervously. “I haven’t spoken to him in… years. Not since he rejected my proposal.”
“I don’t know, TK. I didn’t get a good vibe from the guy at all. I’m just worried that he’s going to try and find you, and I don’t know what his intentions will be,” Carlos says.
TK sighs as he stares at Carlos. He walks up to him, and places his arms on Carlos’ chest. “Don’t worry. My dad won’t let him near me. My dad hates that man,”
“Which is exactly why I’ll be telling Owen myself that Alex is here… in Texas,” Carlos says.
“Carlos-”
“No,” Carlos shakes his head. “I need to make sure you are safe.”
“I’m safe. You’re here,” TK whispers, before reaching up and kissing Carlos. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Carlos says, and he pulls TK in for a hug, which surprises TK, but he doesn’t push away.
TK hates that Carlos tells his dad about Alex, because Owen keeps an eye on him for the entire day, and it’s driving TK crazy. Owen isn’t usually this protective, but there’s a lot of history with Alex.
“Great work today, TK!” Tommy shouts before leaving the firehouse.
“Night Cap! See you tomorrow!” TK shouts, and he smiles as he watches Tommy leave the firehouse, before turning to grab his bag. He’s so focused on getting his bag together, he doesn’t hear footsteps behind him. He turns around, and gasps loudly when he nearly bumps into someone. He looks up, and his eyes widen when he sees that it’s none other than Alex. “Alex-”
“TK Strand,” Alex says. “You know, I didn’t think it would be this easy to find you.”
“I-” TK tries to take a step back, but Alex just follows him. “Y- You have to leave.”
“This is a firehouse. It’s open to the public,” Alex argues. “You’re off the clock. Can we talk?”
“I-” TK’s heart is pounding against his chest, and he quickly looks around for anyone to help him, but mostly everyone has already gone home for the night, and TK is stuck with Alex. Alone.
“TK,”
TK looks over at Alex. “Why are you here?” He demands.
“I’m visiting some fr-”
“No. Why are you here?” TK repeats, trying to stand his ground. “There is nothing for us to talk about. You cheated on me, and that’s that. I’ve moved on.”
“Yes, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting your cop boyfriend-”
“Fiance,” TK corrects, and he takes a deep breath. “I’m done here, Alex.” He grabs his bag, and tries to walk away, but is quickly stopped by Alex grabbing his arm, and pulling him back. TK gasps, and he turns to look at Alex, who looks angrier. TK’s eyes widen with fear. “L- Let me go.”
“I’m not letting you go. Not again,” Alex hisses.
“You two seconds to let go of him before I arrest you,”
TK immediately looks over, and he’s never felt more released to see Carlos than right now. He quickly slips out of Alex’s grip, and he runs over to Carlos, grabbing a hold of Carlos.
“You’re not welcomed in this firehouse. I think it’s best you leave now,”
TK looks over and sees Owen and Judd standing on the other side of Alex. Judd looks pissed, and Owen just looks annoyed, and TK knows it’s because Owen didn’t want to have to deal with Alex.
Alex scoffs. “This is ridiculous!”
“Yeah, you’re right. It is ridiculous,” Carlos says, wrapping a protective arm around TK, holding him close. “It’s ridiculous that you stalked a man who hasn’t even thought about you in years, and you thought you could show up to his workplace where he’s surrounded by people who care about him?”
TK stares at Alex, and he quickly grips a hold of Carlos’ shirt when Alex turns to glare at him. He sighs in relief when Alex merely scoffs and storms away from the firehouse, driving off in his car.
“Oh God,” TK sobs, turning and burying his face in Carlos’ chest.
“You’re safe,” Carlos whispers, hugging TK closely and tightly. He glances over at Owen and Judd. Owen gives him a nod of approval, before walking away with Judd. Carlos sighs in relief, and presses a kiss to TK’s forehead. “I’ve got you. You’re safe.”