#Tarlos Fanfiction One-shots

Mending Fragments

Unraveling Threads Part 2

Carlos ignored TK. It wasn't deliberate—it was survival. If he acknowledged him, if he saw the pain in TK's eyes, he would crumble, and right now, he didn't have the strength to confront it. The weight of last night's argument sat like a stone in his chest. The way TK had gone behind his back... it felt like betrayal, even if deep down he knew it wasn't. It hurt because he loved TK so fiercely. And because he knew how fragile their connection to Iris was.

But then he heard it—a dull thud that broke the fragile silence.

Carlos turned sharply. His heart dropped to his stomach. TK was on the floor, his body limp and pale. For a split second, everything inside Carlos stilled. Time slowed, and his breath caught in his throat. "No," he whispered, rushing to his side. He dropped to his knees, hands trembling as he gently touched TK's face.

"TK?" he choked out, his voice cracking. There was no response, only the shallow rise and fall of TK's chest. Carlos took in every detail—cold sweat covering his forehead, the pale, almost gray tint to his skin, the rapid, uneven breaths. TK was hyperventilating. He'd seen panic attacks before, but never like this. This was more than fear; this was pure, consuming terror.

"It's okay," Carlos murmured, even as fear gripped him. "I'm here, baby. I'm right here."

He scooped TK into his arms with a strength he didn't know he possessed, holding him close as he carried him to their bedroom. Laying TK down on the bed, he brushed back damp strands of hair from his forehead. "You're okay," he whispered, more to himself than TK. "You have to be okay."

He moved quickly to the bathroom, heart pounding. He turned on the tap, soaking a towel in cold water to wipe away the sweat clinging to TK's skin. As he turned, his eyes caught something on the floor. The pill bottle. It lay on its side, just inches from the cabinet.

Carlos's breath caught. He dropped to his knees, staring at it. His hand hovered over the bottle, afraid to touch it, afraid of what he might find. When he finally picked it up, the seal was intact. Relief washed over him so powerfully that he had to sit down on the closed toilet seat, the bottle still clutched tightly in his hand. The realization hit him like a wave—TK had been fighting, all night. Alone.

Carlos bowed his head, tears slipping free. He had walked out. He had left the person he loved most in the world to fight his demons alone. The force of regret was overwhelming, wrapping around his chest like a vice. How could he have done that? How could he have let his anger and hurt blind him to what TK needed?

I failed you, he thought, swallowing back the sobs that threatened to escape. He wiped his face, stood, and forced himself to move. TK needed him, and he wouldn't fail him again.

Returning to the bedroom, Carlos sat beside TK, who had started to come to. His eyes fluttered open, unfocused and clouded with fear. "Carlos?" TK's voice was small, broken. His hands gripped the sheets, as if they were the only thing anchoring him to reality.

"I'm here," Carlos said softly, taking TK's hand in his. "I'm right here."

TK's breath hitched, and he squeezed his eyes shut. "I-I'm sorry," he whispered, voice trembling. "I didn't mean... I just wanted... I thought I was helping. I didn't want to hurt you."

Carlos's chest tightened. He placed a gentle hand on TK's cheek, wiping away the tears that fell. "Shh," he said, his own voice raw with emotion. "I know, baby. I know." He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against TK's. "I'm sorry too. I should never have left you alone. I didn't... I didn't know how bad it was. I should have been here."

TK shook his head, more tears falling. "I thought you'd never come back."

"I'm so sorry," Carlos whispered again, voice breaking. "I was angry, but that's no excuse. I love you, TK. Nothing is worth losing you. Nothing."

TK's breath hitched. "I fought it," he said, almost desperately. "I fought so hard, Carlos. I didn't want to go back. I didn't want to be that person again."

"You're not," Carlos said firmly, holding TK's gaze. "You're the strongest person I know. You didn't give in, even when it was so damn hard. I'm so proud of you."

TK let out a broken sob, and Carlos pulled him close, wrapping his arms around him. They stayed that way, tangled together, holding on like their lives depended on it. Eventually, TK's breathing evened out, and the tension in his body eased. Carlos pulled back just enough to look at him, his eyes soft but determined.

"We'll figure this out," Carlos said, brushing his thumb over TK's cheek. "Together. No more shutting each other out. No more walking away."

TK nodded, his eyes filled with tears but also with a glimmer of hope. "Together."

Carlos leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to TK's forehead, then his lips. It was a promise, a silent vow to do better, to be better. When they pulled apart, TK rested his head against Carlos's chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

"Thank you," TK whispered, his voice small but steady.

"For what?" Carlos asked, his hand stroking TK's hair gently.

"For coming back. For not giving up on me."

"Never," Carlos said softly. "I'll never give up on you."

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