#Tarlos Fanfiction One-shots

Together

Shadows in the Silence Part 3

The room was quiet except for the steady beep of the monitors and the soft hum of the ventilation system. Carlos sat in the chair by TK's bedside, his hand clasped gently around TK's, as it had been for hours. He barely noticed the stiffness in his back or the ache in his neck. His entire focus was on the man lying in the hospital bed, his husband, his world.

When TK's eyelids fluttered open, Carlos leaned forward immediately, his heart hammering. "TK? Baby, can you hear me?"

TK blinked slowly, his eyes unfocused at first before they landed on Carlos. His lips parted, but no words came out. Carlos smiled softly, brushing a stray strand of hair from TK's forehead. "You're okay. You're safe. I'm here."

TK's throat worked as he tried to speak, but his voice was barely a rasp. Carlos reached for the water on the bedside table, helping TK take a few small sips. "Easy," he said, his voice gentle. "Take your time."

When TK finally spoke, it was barely above a whisper. "Carlos... I'm sorry."

Carlos shook his head, his own tears spilling over. "No, TK. You don't have to apologize. I'm the one who's sorry. I've hurt you so much, and I hate myself for it."

TK frowned slightly, his tears slipping down his cheeks. "It wasn't you. It was me. My head... I couldn't stop it."

Carlos took a deep breath, his voice steady despite the crack in his heart. "Tell me. Please, baby. I want to understand. I need to understand."

TK hesitated, the weight of the words pressing down on him. But when he looked at Carlos, all he saw was love and a determination to shoulder whatever burden TK gave him. Slowly, haltingly, TK told him about the club, about Alex's friend, and about the words that had become a relentless loop in his mind. "It was like... like he took all my demons and put them on full volume," TK said, his voice trembling. "I couldn't stop hearing it. Couldn't stop feeling it. And then... you were so busy with the case, and I just felt... lost."

Carlos's jaw clenched, his free hand curling into a fist. "If I ever see that guy..." He stopped himself, exhaling sharply. "I'm sorry I wasn't there. I'm sorry you felt like you had to face this alone."

"You were dealing with so much already," TK murmured. "Your dad, the case. I didn't want to add to it."

Carlos leaned forward, pressing his forehead to TK's. "You are never too much. Do you hear me? Never. I don't care what's happening in my life. You are my priority, TK. Always."

Carlos paused, his voice softening even further. "And I need to say this. I'm so sorry for being late so often, for making you feel unwanted or unloved. I'll always want justice for my dad, but not at the cost of us. Not at the cost of you. You've been so patient, so understanding, and I'm grateful every day for that. I promise I'll do better. You deserve better."

TK's lip quivered, fresh tears spilling over. "I didn't doubt your love, Carlos. But... I doubted I deserved it."

Carlos kissed TK's knuckles, his tears falling freely now. "You deserve every bit of love I can give and more. I'll spend the rest of my life proving that to you."

Later, Owen came into the room, his presence solid and comforting. He sat beside TK, his expression filled with a mixture of love and worry. "You scared me, kid," he said softly. "You scared all of us."

TK looked down, guilt shadowing his face. "I didn't mean to... I just wanted the pain to stop."

Owen reached out, placing a hand on TK's shoulder. "I get it. More than you know. And I'm not here to lecture you. I just need you to know that you don't have to carry this alone. You've got me, Carlos, the 126... You've got an army of people who love you."