#meloingly

His face immediately scrunches up in pain, squeezing his eyes shut and tries to catch a breath. Which doesn’t really work for him judging by the groan he exhales.  

He opens his eyes and looks up at her. “Go…after him.”

“Like hell I’m leaving you,” Mitchell replies. “Besides, he’s long gone. Maybe back-up will have better luck finding him.”

Carlos groans again, and she doesn’t know if it’s because of what she just said or if it’s the pain. Or both. Probably both, she decides.

“Requesting EMS to our location,” Mitchell calls into her radio. “363-H-20 last known position.” She releases the button. “Where are you hit?”

“Caught me straight in the chest,” Carlos pants.

After an inspection of his vest, Mitchell easily finds the tear where the bullet is lodged in the Kevlar. She pulls out the round, showing it to Carlos.

“You’ll be sporting one hell of a bruise, though.”

Carlos nods. “Yeah, not my first rodeo,” he says through gritted teeth as he attempts to sit up.

“Easy, easy,” Mitchell reaches out, her hands on Carlos’s shoulders as she helps him move.

The sound of sirens start to fill the air around them as the ambulance gets closer and closer. Mitchell looks in that direction, seeing the ambulance park in the alley entrance.

“Hey, Reyes. Isn’t your man a paramedic now?” She asks, her eyes not leaving the bus.

“Yeah.”

“Well, he’s not gonna be happy about this,” she replies, the bold 126 numbers stuck on the ambulance her biggest clue.

She moves out of Carlos’s line of sight and sees the moment his realization kicks in. And the groan he lets out then definitely has everything to do with the information and not his pain.

Carlos watches Tommy jump out of the back, shouldering the lifepak, and soon is followed by Nancy and TK, who’s holding the medkit.

The officer relaxes a little upon seeing his boyfriend, a sense of safety washing over him but that relaxing feeling is quickly replaced with dread at knowing how much TK is going to worry, and he already hates putting TK through that.

He sees TK and Nancy in a fast exchange, and TK laughs at something his partner said, making Nancy’s eyes light up at his laughter. Carlos wonders when he’ll get to see TK laugh that freely again. The team is still unaware of who is currently on the ground needing their help.

“What do we got?” Tommy asks once they’re near the officers and within ear shot.

“Mitchell?” TK frowns before anything else can be said, his eyes landing on her.

Confusion paints TK’s face for a few moments before all the pieces fall into place and with a pang in his chest, he realizes. He feels his face heating up and wills his eyes to start moving towards—

“I’m okay,” comes Carlos’s voice from behind Mitchell, speaking up before TK’s mind completely spirals towards the worst case scenario.

“Says the man who took a round to the chest,” Mitchell retorts, looking at the paramedics.

“What?” TK almost yells, his brain still catching up to everything happening around him.

“The vest stopped it,” Carlos raises his hands in defense.

“Still, not good,” Mitchell shrugs.  

With a sigh, TK drops the medkit and kneels next to Carlos. He works on collecting his breath and relaxes just the slightest at seeing his boyfriend sitting up, alert and talking.

“You’ve just shortened my life by five years,” TK mumbles.

“Oh, I’ve shortened your life by five years,” Carlos snaps back, but his eyes are filled with affection as he looks at TK and tries to lighten the mood.

TK rolls his eyes with a shake of his head. “She’s right,” he says instead, his eyebrow raised as he tries to mask his worry.

But Carlos can see right through it. “I’m okay, Ty,” he whispers, his face soft but clearly trying to hide the pain.

“Let me be the judge of that,” TK replies and no amount of banter or gestures can conceal the concern radiating from the paramedic’s green irises.

Carlos nods, watching as TK opens the medkit and grabs the equipment he needs to start his examination. Meanwhile, Mitchell stands aside while Tommy and Nancy crouch in front of Carlos.

“Hey, guys,” Carlos gives them a small smile.

“Hey, Carlos,” Tommy smiles back. “How are you feeling?”

“Okay.”

TK gently presses the head of the stethoscope to Carlos’s chest and moves it around as he listens. “Where exactly did the round hit you?”

“Right here,” Carlos points to the middle of his chest, a little above his bellybutton. “It hurts to breathe a little.”

“I’m hearing some wheezing, Cap,” TK speaks up.

Tommy nods, her mind gears turning. “Given the location you got hit and your breathing condition, I would say it’s a bruised lung. But the doctors at the hospital will confirm.”

Carlos drops his head at the mention of the hospital.

“It’s just to make sure it is what it is without any complications,” TK jumps in. “You know that, babe.”

Carlos nods.

“Help me get his vest off,” Tommy says to TK as Nancy preps to take Carlos’s vitals.

Carefully, TK and Tommy work together to peel the vest off Carlos without causing him any added pain. However, no matter how mindful they are, Carlos lets out a few pained breaths as slight jostling happens in the process.

“Sorry, sorry,” TK apologizes, his voice filled with sympathy.

TK knows what to expect as he watches Tommy lift Carlos’s shirt to unveil the injury. Yet TK can’t help the sharp breath he draws in when his eyes land on the nasty red bruise already blooming across his boyfriend’s chest.

That small, round piece of metal had left substantial damage in its wake, and TK finds himself praying that Carlos hasn’t also suffered bruised or fractured ribs from the impact. Or worse: internal bleeding.

“It’s okay, Ty. Not the worst I’ve had,” Carlos says, reading the worry and the reaction on TK’s face.

TK knows Carlos is trying to help make him feel better, to comfort him and decrease his worry, but that wasn’t particularly the comfort TK was searching for.

“That doesn’t make me feel better,” TK sighs, his voice filled to the brim with emotion.

TK extends his arm and takes Carlos’s hand into his own.

TK squeezes. I’m right here.

Carlos squeezes back. I know.

“Everything is okay, but respiration is a little low,” Nancy reports after checking Carlos’s vitals.

Tommy nods. And then to Carlos: “I’m going to check your ribs, okay?”

Carlos nods, sucking in a deep breath as Tommy starts adding pressure around and over his ribs. His grip on TK’s hand tightens as Tommy continues her exam, hot pain flaring through his nerves at the contact.

His eyes water a little and he lets out a shaky breath as Tommy retreats her hands.

“Good news is nothing appears to be broken, but they’ll want to get x-rays done, too.”

TK lets out the breath he was holding at Tommy’s words while Carlos’s ears are still ringing from the wave of pain still coursing through his body.

His ears clear as Tommy asks another question. “Can you get up?”

“Yeah,” Carlos answers, his voice a little unsteadier than he’d like.

And then Mitchell is by his side as he drapes an arm over TK’s shoulder, Mitchell taking his other arm and guiding it over hers. Together, they share Carlos’s weight as they get him to his feet. Supporting him, they slowly walk over to the ambulance and lowering him on the gurney before he stretches on it.

Carlos closes his eyes and lets out a content sigh at the softness underneath him, heaven compared to the hard asphalt where he was lying slash sitting for a while.

He opens his eyes again when Mitchell speaks. “I’ll meet you at the hospital. And Reyes?” She looks at Carlos. “They caught him.”

He gives her a grateful smile.

After pushing the gurney into the ambulance once Tommy got in, TK wordlessly follows, Nancy shutting the doors and heading to the driver’s seat.

Tommy is attaching some wires and equipment to Carlos while TK grabs the oxygen mask and places it over his boyfriend’s face. “It’s gonna help.”

Carlos accepts it, because breathing really does hurt right now and he’ll take all the assistance he can get, but still, he’s about to say something before TK interrupts.

“You’re okay, I know,” TK gives him a small smile and leans in, brushing a kiss to the officer’s temple.

Carlos finds TK’s hand and gives it another squeeze.

“Just relax, babe.”

TK feels better after Tommy’s examinations and her prognosis, yet a part of him can’t stop the worry and concern that flood his own chest. He can’t get rid of it or push it to the side, not until he’s a thousand percent sure that Carlos is fine, scans, tests and all.

He knows how badly and quickly things can escalate with injuries like Carlos’s. Patients go from sitting up, talking and laughing to needing emergency surgery in a matter of minutes if something went unnoticed. And that thought alone scares TK to his core.

No. TK expels the thought, Carlos is okay, he’s gonna be fine. He trusts Tommy and her judgment, her experience. And they’ll make sure Carlos gets all the tests and scans he needs at the hospital to rule out any underlying injuries or problems. Or if there are any, to catch them early before they get worse or become life-threatening to Carlos.

TK is torn from his thoughts when his hand is squeezed again. He zones back in and looks at Carlos, who’s giving him his own concerned look with slightly creased eyebrows. He sensed where TK’s mind had gone.

TK gives Carlos a smile to reassure him, or attempts to, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.

Once they arrive at the hospital, the ambulance doors are pulled open the moment the bus comes to a halt. There’s a doctor and two nurses helping lower the gurney which Tommy pushes out of the ambulance while relaying information about Carlos, his injury and vitals. TK’s hold on Carlos’s hand remains firm as he quickly moves alongside the gurney.

However, they’re forced to pull apart when the nurse stops, stopping TK in his tracks with her.

“We’ll take him for some tests and scans, you can wait there,” she says, pointing to the waiting room.

“Can I stay with him? He’s my boyfriend,” TK replies, his eyes speaking volumes.

The nurse’s face softens at his words, and she nods after a moment. “Just until we take him up for the scans.”

He steals a quick look at Tommy, noticing Mitchell now standing nearby.

“Go,” she says immediately. “We’ll wait.”

“Thank you,” TK gives her a small smile and with a nod from his Captain, he jogs in the direction he saw the nurse walk in.

He finds Carlos easily, and his boyfriend is lying back in a hospital bed as another nurse wheels the gurney out. TK steps aside to let her pass and then directs his attention back to Carlos.

“Hey, babe.”

Carlos opens his eyes and they land on TK. “Hi, baby. I thought you had to go.” TK shakes his head, approaching Carlos. “Not right now. The nurse said I can stay until they take you to get the scans done. Tommy and Nancy are waiting and Mitchell is here, too.”

TK takes hold of one of Carlos’s hands while the other finds its way to Carlos’s hair, where TK runs his fingers through the officer’s curls, the gel he uses to keep said curls in place almost completely gone now.

Carlos is about to say something when TK cuts him off before he starts.

“Carlos Reyes, if you’re about to say you’re okay one more time…”

Carlos sighs. “I hate to see you worrying.”

“Well, I’m gonna worry. It comes hand in hand with loving someone,” TK says and leans in, planting a kiss to Carlos’s forehead.

Being close to Carlos and being able to touch him helps calm TK’s racing heart. Carlos’s warmth and scent an indication that he’s here, that he’s okay.

“You’re preaching to the choir,” Carlos teases with a small chuckle.

Whatever was going to be TK’s response stops short on his lips when his radio crackles to life.

He squeezes his eyes shut, titling his head backwards, that feeling of calm he had moments ago is now replaced with dread.

“Maybe I can talk to Tommy—” TK is already planning before even opening his eyes again.

“Hey, baby, it’s okay,” Carlos’s collected voice guides TK back. “Go.”

TK hesitates. “I don’t wanna leave you, not yet, I’m sure Tommy—”

“Ty, baby,” Carlos continues, slightly shaking his head. “Go. I’m okay, really. They’ll probably send me home after the scans. Mitchell will drive me to the station and I’ll go straight home from there. It’s okay, I promise.” He knows his boyfriend all-too well, and hopes his words will lift the feeling of guilt he knows is currently setting in TK’s gut.

“Okay,” TK finally nods, but his eyes still carry concern. “But if anything changes or if the scans show anything—”

“I’ll call,” Carlos gives him a reassuring smile.

“I’ll see you at home, baby,” TK whispers before pressing his lips gently against Carlos’s.

Carlos’s smile widens into the kiss as he returns it. “I’ll see you at home, babe.”

With one last look at Carlos, TK reluctantly leaves, repeating he’s okay he’s okay over in his mind, a mantra to keep him calm. He meets Tommy and Nancy by the rig and jumps into the passenger seat without a word.

*****

Owen meets them in the bay when they return to the firehouse after the call. He’s frowning, eyebrows drawn together as he watches TK close the door.

“Carlos,” Owen states, the concern evident in his tone. “Is he okay?”

TK nods, running a hand through his hair. “Had to leave the hospital for a call before his scans but he texted a while ago. He’s waiting for the results, his partner is with him.”

Owen pats TK’s back as he walks past him and walks towards the stairs.  

After a quick shower, TK heads into the common area. He tries sitting on the couch, but the bouncing of his leg starts to drive him a little up the walls, so he opts to stand instead. Which leads him to pace around the room, checking his watch for the time every thirty seconds as the black screen of his phone taunts him.

He starts fidgeting with his hands as he moves around, radiating nervous energy and he’s so caught up in his own thoughts of Carlos should have the results by now and what if something is wrong and I’m not there that he doesn't hear someone enter the space around him.

“He’s gonna be okay, man,” Paul’s voice seeps into TK’s ear through the fog engulfing him.

He turns to look at his teammate, and Paul’s face soft and carrying empathy.

Slowly, the rest of the team start filing in, dispersing into the room as they fall into easy conversations about anything and everything. And TK finds himself sitting down, too. They don’t make a big deal about it, but TK knows what they’re doing. He knows they’re here for him, physically and otherwise and to keep him company, knowing he can’t bear to be alone right now. Not with his leg bouncing again and his hand playing with a loose thread sticking out of a couch cushion. As much as he appreciates it, and he does, he ends up tuning out all their voices and movement around him, Carlos the only thing on his mind.

What brings him back is his phone pinging in his pocket.

He jumps to his feet in a heartbeat, fishing it out of his pocket. He sees its a text from Carlos and unlocks his phone with shaky hands.

The room falls silent as TK reads the message, holding his own breath as his mind catches up with his eyes.

Carlos: Everything is okay, babe. Scans are fine. No bruised or broken ribs and no internal bleeding. The bruised lung will heal on its own. Heading back to the station now.

TK rereads the text for good measure, to make sure his brain isn’t playing any cruel tricks on him. Once he’s satisfied that there are no tricks involved, he finally allows himself to relax and breathe.

“Oh, thank God,” he whispers, the first audible reaction to the text. He looks up at his family. “Carlos is okay. He’s gonna be home soon.”

The collective tension is suddenly lifted, along with the weight sitting on TK’s shoulders.

“That’s great,” Paul gives TK a wide smile.

“Hey, TK,” Owen calls for his son.

TK turns towards the doorway to see his father and Tommy standing side by side, both wearing small, soft smiles. Owen nudges his head in the direction of the bunk room and TK gets the hint. He follows them in there.

“You should go home, Strand,” Tommy starts. “You should be with Carlos and I know he’d want you there. We only have a couple of hours left for shift, we can hold down the fort here.”

TK nervously shifts his balance from one foot to the other. “Are you sure? Because it’s just a couple of hours, like you said.”

As much as TK wants nothing more than to be with Carlos right now, he also doesn’t want to skip out and leave his team shorthanded.

But Owen joins in the conversation, bringing any more of TK’s thoughts to a halt.

“Go home to your boyfriend, son,” Owen fondly claps TK on the back. “A bruised lung is painful, and like Tommy said, I’m sure Carlos would want you there. We got it covered here.”

And TK doesn’t need to be told again. With a quick thank you! and grateful looks given to his father and his Captian, TK is rushing to pack his stuff and order an Uber.

He was counting down the minutes and seconds until he went home to Carlos, and now instead, he’s making his way out of the firehouse with promises to pass on the crew’s well wishes to the officer as he gets into the awaiting car.

He’s using his key and pushing the condo door open less than thirty minutes later.

The living room is dark, save for a small side lamp that is left switched on near the couch, which casts a soft yellow glow.

Moving his attention up the stairs, TK notices that the hallway light is on.

“Carlos?”

A beat.

Then, “TK?”

Carlos’s tired and slightly strained voice has TK ascending the stairs two at a time and then steps into the bedroom.

The moment his eyes land on Carlos, he learns the reason behind his boyfriend’s fatigued tone.

Carlos is halfway through taking his shirt off, his movement paused as it sends waves of pain down his arm and rattles against his bruise.

TK drops his duffel bag at the foot of the bed and walks over.

“Hey, babe. Here, let me help,” TK says.

“Can’t really move my arm without it hurting,” Carlos sighs.

TK hums in understanding and helps ease the shirt off Carlos’s shoulders and down his arms in the least painful and uncomfortable way. He then throws it into the laundry basket to be dealt with later.

“I was gonna hop in the shower,” Carlos speaks after the waves of pain are over. “The hot water helps,” he adds, speaking from experience.

TK picks up on that, and he wants to know more about what exactly happened to Carlos before, but he holds back. He knows it’s not the time for it, and he can eventually revisit the subject when Carlos is feeling better and not sporting a gigantic bruise on his torso.

“I’ll join you,” TK decides.

“Then that shower will definitely help,” Carlos smiles, a glint of playfulness in his eyes. And then he realizes something, which makes his smile fall a little. “Hey, I thought your shift ends in a couple of hours.”

“It does,” TK confirms. “Cap and dad sent me home early. Told me I should be with you, and they got it handled. The whole crew send their well wishes and love, too.”

“I’m honestly just so glad and relieved you’re here that I can’t conjure up enough to feel guilty that your team is shorthanded right now,” Carlos expresses. “And also very tired.”

“There’s no reason to feel guilty,” TK assures Carlos. “I promise. They say they have it covered, then they have it covered. Besides, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than right here.”

Carlos gives him a small, but genuine smile. TK kisses him softly. It’s a kiss filled with love, reassurance and safety.

“Come on, that shower awaits.”

TK runs the water to reach the perfect temperature as he helps undress Carlos the rest of the way and gives him a hand into the tub. After quickly removing and discarding all of his own clothes, TK steps in behind the slightly larger man.

Carlos closes his eyes as the warm spray collides with his battered body, running down his skin.

TK eyes the large bruise and his breaks at how painful it must be, and he hates that Carlos is experiencing that pain. And his heart also starts racing at the mere thought that Carlos is hurt to begin with. But he reminds himself that Carlos is here, he’s okay, and he’s going to heal.

“Relax, I got you, babe,” TK whispers when he notices Carlos tightening his back muscles. He reaches out, running his hands gently up and down Carlos’s back.

“You always do,” Carlos whispers in return.

TK drops a kiss to Carlos’s shoulder and cards his fingers through his now-messy curls, the product Carlos used that morning long gone.

He retrieves the shampoo and pours a good amount in his palm, lathering it up and then moving to run his hands over Carlos’s hair, gently scratching against his scalp, massaging it as he went just as the officer likes and the action has Carlos leaning into the paramedic’s tender touch.

After rinsing out the shampoo, TK reaches around Carlos again and grabs the peach scented body wash. Once it’s foamy in his palms, he carefully glides his hands up and down Carlos’s body, mindful of his injury as he washes the day’s sweat, pain and hospital visit off of Carlos’s skin.

Carlos lets out a satisfied hum, letting himself get lost in TK’s delicate ministration. This is everything he wanted all day, everything he longed for. To feel TK’s touch, to be in TK’s space.

TK doesn’t apply pressure on or around the bruise, his touches light as he works the soap over the wound. Looking over the contusion, TK can spot the point of contact between the bullet and his boyfriend’s body. The small circle is darker than the rest of the bruise, and TK has to swallow against his suddenly dry throat at that realization. The vest had protected Carlos, stopping the bullet, but the energy had to go somewhere and so it spread over and through Carlos’s chest.

TK shakes it off, focusing on Carlos in the here and now.

Once they’re done and smelling fresh, TK turns off the water and steps out. He wraps a towel around his waist as Carlos climbs out, letting TK wrap a towel around his middle.

“Better?” TK asks.

Carlos nods, looking into TK’s green eyes through his wet lashes.

“And your chest?”

“Doesn’t throb as much.”

A the edges of TK’s lips pull up in a small smile. He frames Carlos’s face with his hands and closes the distance between them with a chaste kiss, which Carlos happily reciprocates.

Carlos’s own sorrow starts to brew in his gut at the memory of a fleeting thought he had earlier in the day: for a second, he thought he may never get to kiss TK again.

TK taking hold of his hand brings him back to this moment, standing in the warmth of their bathroom and Carlos is thankful for the distraction. He pushes the memory to the side and follows TK as he leads them back into the bedroom.

They slip on sweats and comfortable cotton t-shirts, TK momentarily going downstairs to get two bottles of water before retreating back to their bedroom. He finds Carlos pulling the duvet back and carefully climbing into bed, letting out a content sigh when he rests his injured body on the soft mattress.

Carlos grabs the prescribed non-opioid medication he got from the hospital pharmacy and pops the dosage into his palm, gratefully accepting the opened water bottle TK hands him.

Carlos’s phone pings as TK makes his way around the bed to his side, watching as Carlos unlocks his phone, a smile immediately decorating the officer’s face at what he sees.

“My mom is coming over tomorrow,” he tells TK after a moment. “She’s gonna make us food.”

TK chuckles as he gets comfortable. “Sounds very much like Andrea Reyes.”

“Yeah,” Carlos agrees.

“Tell her I say hi,” TK smiles as he watches Carlos type back.

After responding, Carlos plugs his phone into the charger and a small wince escapes his lips as the movement hurts his chest.

“Easy, babe,” TK reminds him from behind.

Carlos settles back, taking deep, even breaths as the wave of pain trickles away. He slowly moves down the bed, until his head is even with the pillow but instead of using it, he gravitates towards TK’s open arm and pillows his head on his boyfriend’s chest.

Usually it’s the other way around, with TK’s head on Carlos’s chest, save for a few times Carlos would have bad days and want to be held. And right now, all Carlos wants is for TK’s arms to be around him, and TK happily obliges. Plus, adding pressure to Carlos’s battered chest is not a good idea, making the only other option for them is staying apart, which both men are highly and most definitely against. They need to in each other’s embrace.

They settle with careful maneuvers until TK feels Carlos relax in his hold when he finds a comfortable position. His arm is thrown across TK’s waist, his head resting above TK’s steady heartbeat, which is Carlos’s lifeline.

TK’s hold on Carlos is firm and gentle, with enough pressure to reassure his boyfriend that he’s safe but not enough to cause him any hurt. He runs his hand up and down Carlos’s back, to help ground and anchor him.

“I was really scared for a moment today,” Carlos whispers. “When the bullet hit my chest, all I could feel was white, hot pain. I didn’t know if it had gone through the vest, sometimes they do, and for a second, I was scared I’d never see you again. That I’d never kiss you again. I was so scared that we were out of time,” Carlos’s voice builds with emotion.

TK’s touches don’t slow or stop, he keeps the movement going, also knowing Carlos needs it.

“And there’s still so much I want to do with you, so much for us to do together,” Carlos continues.

TK nods along with Carlos’s words. He, too, feels the same in his heart.

“You know I’ll always fight to come back to you. I’ll always fight for us,” Carlos states, his voice wavering a little.

“I know, babe,” TK replies, dropping a kiss to the top of Carlos’s head. A moment of silence passes between them. “I was scared, too. We had no idea who was down and then when I saw Mitchell and you were nowhere in sight, it was like a bucket of ice water was poured over me. And all I could think was the same thing, there’s still so much for us to do together that this can’t be the end,” he confesses. “And you know what?”

“Hm?” Carlos moves his head to look up at TK.

“We’ll make every second count,” TK says with a soft smile.

Carlos studies him for a couple of moments, his eyes roaming over TK’s face, taking in his micro expressions, the way his green eyes sparkle, the worry still etched into his forehead that’s slowly fading away.

“We will,” Carlos promises back.

“You know it’s okay,” TK speaks, slicing through the quiet that settles in the air once again.

“What is?”

“For people to help you,” TK clarifies. “You always take care of everyone else, you’re always there for everyone, for anything they need. It’s only fair you get the same treatment in return. And I know you can take care of yourself and all, but it’s never a burden asking for help, or accepting it,” he pretty much reads Carlos’s mind.

Carlos tightens his hold on TK.

“And I know you haven’t been fighting me on helping you and taking care of you since I came home because you hate seeing me worry. And helping you has been helping me, too. Knowing you’re okay. You don’t have to be strong all the time, babe. I admire your strength, but you can get help sometimes, too.”

Carlos lifts his head again and looks at TK, his brown irises swimming with unshed tears. He doesn’t need to speak, TK understands.

“Oh, ‘Los,” TK murmurs. “I promise I’ll always be here.”

Carlos nods and closes his eyes when TK brushes a kiss to his forehead, a tear rolling down his cheek which TK wipes away with his thumb.

“I love you, Ty,” Carlos voices. “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me, ‘Los. I love you, too, baby. Get some rest.”

TK extends his arm and clicks the light off, the moonlight shining through the blinds takes its turn to illuminate the room. Carlos closes his eyes, focusing on TK’s steady heartbeat. He’s lulled to sleep, basking in the warmth and love of TK.

“Told you you’d break your neck climbing onto the hood of a snow-covered vehicle,” Carlos said, offering him a grin as he lowered him to the ground.

“I didn’t break my neck. I had you to catch me.”

Carlos scoffed, but his smile didn’t waver, and TK felt a little of his frustration slip away.

“Someone will come by eventually,” he said, tugging on TK’s arm. “This is a busy road.”

“Not in the middle of the night while it’s snowing, apparently,” he huffed out, glancing down the empty road again, no sign of any light in either direction.

“Relax,” Carlos urged, flopping down onto the ground. “It’s gonna be okay.”

“Don’t sit in the snow,” he muttered under his breath, “You’ll get wet.”

“Listen, snow might be boring or a pain in the ass to you ‘cause you grew up with it, but for me, this is exciting. This is like how the holidays should be! How it is in the movies!”

TK turned, mouth open, ready to fondly insult his boyfriend, but he stopped dead, mouth hanging open.

“Seriously?” He finally asked, moving to stand over Carlos who was now sprawled on the side of the road. “I can’t believe you’re making snow angels at a time like this!”

He ran a frustrated hand through his hair, not sure whether he was more endeared or annoyed, but as Carlos grinned up at him like a kid on Christmas, endearment won out, and he found himself smiling too.

“Join me.” Carlos reached a hand up before adding a very soft, “please.”

TK closed his eyes for a brief moment, taking a deep, calming breath, before he took Carlos’s hand, allowing himself to be dragged down to the snow.

“This isn’t so bad, is it?” Carlos asked, removing his glove so he could entwine their fingers properly.

“Being stuck on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere with a flat tyre?” TK asked, though he was grinning now, Carlos’s happiness somewhat contagious. “You’re telling me you enjoy this?”

“Not that part,” he conceded, giving TK’s hand a squeeze. “But this. Here. With you. Not so bad.”

TK smiled, shifting so he could press his forehead to Carlos’s shoulder, leaving a quick kiss there before meeting his eyes again.