#Tarlos Fanfiction One-shots

Shifting Winds

Carlos had felt it the moment they hugged in Captain Vega's home—the tremor in TK's body, the unsteady way he held on just a little too tight. Now, as they walked hand in hand toward their car, Carlos could still feel the faint tremble in TK's palm and the cold sweat against his own skin. He didn't say anything at first, just gave TK's hand a reassuring squeeze.

When they reached the car, Carlos paused, opening the passenger door but not letting go. He turned to TK, concern etched deeply into his face. "Are you okay?" he asked softly, searching his husband's eyes for any hint of what he was feeling.

TK nodded, a little too quickly. "Yeah. I'm fine."

Carlos's gaze didn't waver. "Are you sure?"

TK forced a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Can we... can we talk about it later?"

Carlos nodded, even though he didn't like it. "Okay." He helped TK into the car, closing the door gently before circling around to the driver's side. As he started the engine, he decided to keep things light. "So, about your nieces..." he began, glancing over to see if TK was listening.

TK turned his head, a faint hint of interest flickering in his eyes. Carlos took that as a good sign and pressed on. "They painted my nails. Again," he said, holding up his hand briefly to show the messy, multicolored polish. "They're getting bolder with their color choices."

TK let out a soft laugh, barely audible but real, and Carlos felt a wave of relief wash over him. "They had pizza for dinner," Carlos continued, "and insisted on a movie marathon. I think I can recite every word from The Little Mermaid now. You should be proud."

"I am," TK murmured, his voice tight. "They adore you."

Carlos kept talking the rest of the drive home, weaving stories of glitter, giggles, and princess songs. It wasn't a solution, but it was a distraction—something to keep TK tethered. When they finally pulled into their driveway, Carlos parked the car and turned to TK again. "Are you hungry?"

TK shook his head, his gaze distant. "I think I'll just take a shower."

"Okay," Carlos said gently. "I'll make something for you."

"I'm not hungry."

Carlos closed the small distance between them and kissed TK's forehead, lingering there for a moment. "You need to eat something," he said softly. "Before bed."

TK's throat constricted with emotion, and he nodded wordlessly before heading inside. The shower ran for a long time. Carlos busied himself in the kitchen, preparing a simple dinner—scrambled eggs, toast with butter, and a bowl of soup. Something warm, light, and easy. He set the food on the coffee table and made himself a cup of tea, settling onto the couch to wait.

When TK finally emerged, his hair damp and his eyes red-rimmed, he wore one of Carlos's old shirts. He moved slowly, like every step took effort. Carlos's heart ached at the sight. He patted the spot next to him, and TK sat down, the quiet weight of the day pressing between them.

TK picked up the fork and began eating, though he barely tasted anything. Halfway through, he felt Carlos's hand on the back of his neck—warm, steady, grounding. TK closed his eyes, feeling the tension he'd been holding start to unravel, though it wasn't gone.

Carlos's thumb traced small circles, his touch gentle but firm. "You're still holding on to it," he murmured. "Talk to me, love."

TK set the fork down, his appetite disappearing again. "It was... close, Carlos. Too close." His voice was raw, and he kept his gaze fixed on the plate. "We thought that was it. The end."

Carlos swallowed, his hand never leaving TK's neck. "I can't even imagine..."

"Tommy called dispatch," TK continued, his words tumbling out now, like they'd been trapped behind a dam. "She was giving instructions—what to do about her girls. She was making sure everything was in order because she thought we wouldn't make it. And I—I couldn't even call you. I couldn't... because I was so afraid I wouldn't be able to say it. To tell you how much I love you. I thought I'd lose my chance, and I'd never—" His voice cracked, and tears slipped down his cheeks.

Carlos pulled him close, wrapping his arms around TK like a shield against the world. "You're here," he whispered, his own voice shaking. "You're here with me."

TK clung to him, his hands fisting in the fabric of Carlos's shirt. "I thought I'd never see you again."

"I know." Carlos pressed kisses to TK's temple, his hair, anywhere he could reach. "I know. I can't... I can't even watch the news on days like today. Knowing you're out there, and I can't do anything... it kills me. I don't know what I'd do if..."

"Don't," TK whispered, pulling back just enough to look into Carlos's eyes. "Don't think about it."

Carlos cupped TK's face, wiping away the tears with his thumbs. "You're here. The wind shifted, and you came home. That's what matters. And I need you to know—I can't live without you. I'm so thankful you're here. Right here. With me."

TK leaned into the touch, his eyes closing as more tears fell. "I'm scared, Carlos. I'm scared of what it means... being out there. But I'm more scared of losing this."

"You won't lose me," Carlos said, his voice firm but gentle. "I'm not going anywhere."

For a long moment, they stayed like that—forehead to forehead, breathing the same air, letting the world fall away. Slowly, TK melted into Carlos's embrace, his body softening, the weight of the day slipping away piece by piece.

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

"Always," Carlos replied, holding him tighter. "Always."

They stayed there, wrapped in each other, finding strength in the quiet moments and the love they'd built. Together, they'd face whatever came next—because in the end, all that mattered was that they had each other.

Copyright © 2024 by AetherWoven