Hi Maddie!! I wish you would write a fic where TK never ends up in Austin, he goes to California instead after hearing about his namesake from Owen. He becomes a surf instructor after leaving firefighting. He and Carlos meet while Carlos is on vacation after a less than amicable breakup. Carlos learns what TK does for a living and takes surf lessons from him. They fall madly in love and live happily ever after. If youre still taking requests. I love your fics! Thank you!
thank you so so much, and thank you for your patience with this <3 this is my last one, i appreciate all the prompts and everyone who read <3
The sunrise shimmers in pinks and oranges over the calm water, his face warmed by the early light as he dangles his legs in the Pacific. For whatever reason, it always makes him think of homeāof the sharp contrast to everything he knew New York to be. There, it was cool breezes and the thrum of traffic when he stepped out into the street, the noises of a bustling city never ceasing, even before the sun broke over the horizon. Here, thereās serenity; the salty sea breeze and the lapping of the tide against the shore. Thereās always been a tug in his gut, sureāsomething like loneliness looming over his shoulders. Even still, though, he wouldnāt change any of it.
Like he does every morning before a long day of classes, he murmurs quietly to the ocean. He thinks of his fatherās brother, the first Tyler, the one who never made it to his teens, the one who inspired TK to live every day to the fullest. He thinks of his mother, and her gentle pride. Theyāre with him always, and he trusts them to watch over him as he brings newbies to the beach and guides them into learning the sport heās grown to love.
Today, though, he asks for a little more guidance.
He can still feel fingerprints low on his hips, where eager hands tucked under the board shorts he prefers when he doesnāt need to be in his wetsuit. He can still feel the tingle of lips against his, and curls under his palms. Carlos. Heās from Texas and heās only here for a week with his sisters and the scariest thing about him is that he could absolutely ruin TK. He probably already has, given the fact that TK canāt stop thinking about the man passed out in the hotel suite heād invited TK back to, one with a beautiful view of the pier. The one TK crept out of this morning, six days intoā¦whatever theyāre doing, his head spinning and heart racing. The last time he got close to someone, they broke his heart. He doesnāt know if can handle it again.
With a sigh, TK glances down at his waterproof watch. Heās scheduled with an early class today, a work retreat for some tech company, and he canāt afford to be late. Even if his love life just took a dramatic spin from painfully dry to a little reckless, he canāt let his work suffer for it. And so he paddles back to the shore, thumbing over the little T branded into the top of his board, and stares in confusion at the familiar body waiting in the sand.
āI figured Iād find you out here somewhere,ā Carlos says, slowly getting up and dusting sand off his swim trunks, the soft golden glow of the morning dancing across his features. His eyes had been filled with such sorrow when TK met him, a sort of pain that TK recognized immediately, and now theyāre clear and bright and beautiful. Heās beautiful, in one of TKās t-shirts from Pacific Park that sits a little tight across his shoulders and curls fluffy from sleep and the breeze. āI thought we would talk this morning, but then you werenāt there when I woke up, soā¦ā
āIām sorry,ā TK bites the inside of his cheek, as he feels saltwater drip down his body. The facade theyāve built around their days of fun is clearly crumbling around themāquickly. It makes his head spin.
āI canāt do this, TK,ā Carlos says, his voice quieter than before. A seagull caws in the distance. āI leave tomorrow night, so if weāif this is done, can we call it done? Because I canāt get any closer to you without falling even harder.ā
āYou shouldnāt,ā TK says, the sand clumping under his wet feet. āYou shouldnāt fall for me.ā
Carlos frowns. āWell, itās a little late for that.ā
In a flash, TK thinks back on the past few days, and how theyāve been the happiest heās had in a long time. The lights of the pier at night reflected in Carlosā eyes; the look of pride on his face when he mastered his balance and stayed upright on his board for the first time; the way he tasted of cotton candy and lime when theyād kissed for the first time. The way heād been so vulnerable with TK, trusting him to listen about his breakup, about his sisters planning a last-minute excursion to distract him even though he hated being away from home.
ās funny, though, Carlos had murmured, his breath warm against TKās neck as they sat together on the beach, curled in each otherās arms. Because as soon as I met you itās like..itās like my body knew I didnāt have to be homesick anymore.
When TK doesnāt answer, Carlos moves to walk away, hurt dancing in his irises. He panics and steps closer, resting a hand on Carlosā shoulder.
āI donāt wanna call it done,ā TK admits, his heart racing. āItās crazy, but I think Iāve been homesick, too. Just waiting for you to come here and make it right ever since dad went to Texas and I came here.ā
Thereās a beat, before he continues on, still speaking to Carlosā back.
āI want to keep knowing you, Carlos. I want to get to love you.ā
Itās probably the most reckless thing heās ever done. Heās known Carlos for six days. Heās known him as someone on vacation. Heās known him as someone recently heartbroken, someone whoās probably not thinking straight, someone who will run when TK ruinsā
Carlos whirls around, and theyāre close enough for their noses to bump.
āI want that, too,ā Carlos is saying, and TK canāt not kiss him. He cups his face and pulls him in, and the kiss tastes of the salt of the sea and the warmth of the sun and maybe, under it all, a lot like coming home.
janainaart
origamiaround
dailybridgerton
discoholicmusic
theartofmadeline
2087
ellievsbear
