911/911 Lone Star One Shots

Accidents Happen

TW: past domestic abuse mentioned

Carlos was exhausted. It'd been a long shift and, despite it being 4 in the afternoon, he was knocked out on the couch.

TK was being as quiet as he could, not wanting to wake his husband up. He knew he'd had a long shift. He moved around their apartment quiet as a mouse, checking over his shoulder every time a floorboard so much as creaked to make sure Carlos was still sleeping.

He was in the kitchen putting dishes away silently when it happened; a mug slipped from his grasp and shattered on the floor.

TK froze as tears immediately sprung to his eyes. He broke a mug. Carlos' favorite coffee mug. He was in so much trouble. He couldn't move from his spot, standing frozen in fear as tears streamed down his face.

The sound startled Carlos awake, bringing a hand to rub his eyes as he sat up. "TK?" He turned to look at the kitchen behind him and saw TK standing rigid, his body shaking with silent sobs.

Carlos was on his feet immediately, hurrying to TK's side but not touching him yet. He wasn't sure how he'd react since he'd never seen him like this. "TK, what happened?"

"I- I dropped it." His voice was barely above a whisper.

"Okay. Well, that's okay. Accidents happen, baby." His tone was gentle, more so than usual. He was terrified of scaring TK more so than he already seemed. "Why are you crying?"

"Just waiting." He closed his eyes tight, expecting it soon.

"Waiting for what?" He swallowed, anxious about the answer he feared was coming.

"The yelling." He whispered, his hands tightening into fists as he dug his nails into his palms hard enough to draw blood.

"Who's supposed to be yelling?"

"You." His voice broke, a not-so-silent sob escaping.

"Me? Baby, when have I ever yelled at you?" His heart broke, not missing the fact that TK was hurting himself.

"I'm sorry. There was usually yelling." He explained as his crying continued, not silent anymore.

"Can I touch you?" Carlos checked, receiving a nod before he pulled TK into his arms. "TK, you are safe. I am not mad. I will never yell at you or degrade you or hurt you. It's okay."

TK stood in his embrace and cried against his shoulder. "I'm sorry. Alex... Alex used to-... there was always yelling."

Carlos felt an overwhelming sadness for his husband and an equally overwhelming rage at his ex. "I'm not him. I would never do that to you."

He pulled away and took TK's hands, forcing him to stop digging his nails against his palms. There was a bit of blood on his hands now so Carlos grabbed a paper towel and wiped them clean.

"It was your favorite mug. And I woke you up." TK whimpered softly as Carlos tended to the small wounds on his hands.

Carlos tossed the paper towel aside and pulled TK back into his arms. "I do not care about a mug. We have so many, it's honestly ridiculous. I can get new mugs, I can get more sleep, but I can never get another Tyler Kennedy Strand. I love you so much."

"You're not mad?" TK checked suspiciously, afraid to let his guard down or feel too safe.

Carlos picked him up and carried him to the couch, sitting with him straddling his lap. "No, baby. I am not mad at you. Not even a little bit. Not at all." He assured him, kissing his temple. "And don't you dare say 'sorry' again." He smiled, rubbing his hand up and down his back.

"I really love you." TK whispered, the weight on his chest disappearing with Carlos' words. He really was his soulmate.