#Tarlos Fanfiction One-shots

Shadows in the Silence

Trigger Warning: This story contains themes of emotional distress, self-harm, and suicidal ideation, which may be triggering for some readers. If you or someone you know is struggling, please know that help is available. You are not alone.

Helplines:

・US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for support.
・Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (available in the US, UK, and Canada).
・International Helplines: Visit befrienders.org for a global directory of crisis centers.

Please take care of yourself, and reach out for support if needed.

 This storyline is purely a work of fan fiction and is not part of the official 9-1-1: Lone Star narrative.

***

Carlos dropped TK off at their loft after the tension-filled couple's counseling session. The session had left them both raw, their vulnerabilities laid bare. Carlos leaned over and kissed TK's cheek softly, his touch gentle but fleeting. "I might be back late," he said, his tone carrying an exhaustion that TK had come to recognize all too well.

TK's heart sank at the words. For a moment, he hesitated, the weight of disappointment flashing across his face. He wanted to ask Carlos why—why, after everything they'd just talked about, he was still choosing the case. But instead, he nodded stiffly, opening the car door without a word and stepping out.

Carlos sighed heavily as he watched TK walk toward the building. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, guilt gnawing at him. He wanted to tell TK that he wasn't going back to bury himself in the case, that he just needed to organize his work so he could start being home on time. But the words didn't come. He felt torn in two, the need to give his father justice battling with the knowledge that he was hurting the man he loved most.

Inside the loft, TK was greeted by silence. The space that had once felt like home now felt cold and empty. He sat on the couch, staring at the blank television screen as the words from their session echoed in his mind. He had been honest—he told Carlos how alone he felt, how much he missed him, how their marriage was crumbling under the weight of Gabriel's murder. He had hoped—prayed—that Carlos would finally see how his absence was affecting them. But the moment Carlos said he'd be back late, it felt like every word TK had said had been ignored.

TK pulled out his phone and sent a message to the 126 group chat, asking if anyone wanted to hang out. He needed something—anything—to drown out the rising tide of emotions. Nancy, Mateo, Marjan, and Paul quickly agreed to meet him at a nearby club.

When they arrived, the others headed straight to the dance floor, but TK stayed at the bar, nursing an iced tea. He stared into the glass, his thoughts spinning. He loved Carlos more than anything, but tonight, that love felt heavy, tangled in disappointment and loneliness.

He barely registered the figure that slid onto the stool beside him until he heard his name. Turning, he froze when he saw one of Alex's old friends. TK tensed immediately, memories of that toxic relationship bubbling to the surface.

"Hey, long time no see," the guy said, his tone casual but laced with something sharp.

TK forced a polite nod. "Yeah. Surprised to see you here."

"Just visiting my aunt," the guy replied with a shrug. His smirk deepened. "I heard what happened between you and Alex."

TK's stomach churned, but he kept his tone neutral. "Yeah."

The guy leaned in slightly, his voice lowering as his expression turned smug. "I also heard about your little... episode. The OD."

TK stiffened, the words hitting like a slap. He hadn't thought about that night in a long time, and hearing it thrown at him so carelessly made his skin crawl. "That's none of your business," he said tightly.

The guy's smirk widened. "Always knew you were weak. Never understood why Alex wasted his time on you."

TK turned sharply, his voice trembling with anger. "Shut up."

The guy's tone turned venomous. "Maybe you should have tried harder. Then you wouldn't be here making everyone's life so damn difficult."

TK's breath caught in his throat. The words stunned him into silence. He stared as the man stood and walked away, leaving him frozen in place. Maybe you should have tried harder. The phrase echoed in his mind, growing louder with every repetition.

The others returned from the dance floor, their laughter fading when they saw TK's pale, shaken expression. Nancy placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice gentle. "TK, what happened? Who was that?"

"Just someone I used to know," TK murmured, his voice hollow. "It's nothing."

But it wasn't nothing. The words followed him home, replaying in his mind like a broken record. Maybe you should have tried harder.

Alone in the loft, TK's thoughts spiraled. He thought about his dad, how he had struggled to move on from his brother's death. He thought about Carlos, consumed by his father's murder, drifting further away with each passing day. Their marriage, barely a year old, felt like it was unraveling. He loved his job, but the weight of losing people on calls sometimes made him question everything.

Maybe you should have tried harder.

He felt invisible, a ghost in his own life. Everyone had their own struggles, their own battles, and TK was just... there. Existing. Hoping Carlos would come back to him. Hoping things would get better.

His gaze landed on the knife resting on the counter. A fleeting thought whispered in the back of his mind. Maybe this is how it ends. Maybe this is how the pain stops.

Before he could think twice, TK grabbed the knife. His hand shook as he held it, the cold steel pressing against his skin. His vision blurred with tears, his mind consumed by the storm of his thoughts. Maybe you should have tried harder.

The blade sliced deep through his wrist, and pain flared briefly before it faded into numbness. TK sank to the floor, the knife slipping from his grasp as blood pooled around him. For the first time in what felt like forever, the chaos in his mind quieted. He smiled faintly, his tears mixing with the crimson on the floor. Maybe this is what peace feels like, he thought as his vision dimmed. Maybe.

Copyright © 2024 by AetherWoven