#Tarlos Fanfiction One-shots

Little Family - Part 2

The world outside was chaos. The impact of the asteroid had shaken Austin to its core, and the nuclear threat had sent everyone into a frenzy. But as soon as Carlos stepped into the hospital waiting room and saw TK standing there—alive, whole, and breathing—everything else faded into the background.

For a moment, neither of them moved, frozen in place as their eyes locked across the crowded room. Then, as if pulled by an invisible force, TK was rushing toward Carlos, and Carlos was already opening his arms.

Their bodies collided in a desperate embrace, TK's arms wrapped tightly around Carlos's neck as Carlos buried his face into the crook of TK's shoulder. Carlos could feel the slight tremble in TK's body, the adrenaline still coursing through his veins. He held him tighter.

Carlos didn't let go of TK, even as the world around them slowly settled from chaos into exhausted relief. The hospital buzzed with activity—nurses and doctors checking on the dozens of first responders caught up in the nuclear threat—but all Carlos could focus on was the warmth of TK in his arms, the steady thrum of his heartbeat against his chest, the tangible proof that he was still here.

"I'm not letting you go," Carlos murmured against TK's hair, his hands gripping the back of TK's turnout coat like he was afraid TK would disappear if he loosened his hold.

"Good," TK whispered, his breath hitching slightly as he pressed closer. "Because I don't think I can let go either."

They stayed wrapped up in each other until a voice finally cut through the haze of their moment. "Are y'all gonna stay fused together, or can I get a hug too?"

Carlos lifted his head just as Nancy appeared, looking exhausted but otherwise okay. TK let out a shaky laugh as he finally loosened his grip on Carlos just enough to turn toward her, arms already open.

Nancy practically collapsed into him, hugging him tightly. "That was the longest damn day of my life," she muttered. "Never thought I'd be relieved to be standing in a hospital waiting room, but here we are."

"Same," TK admitted, squeezing her once before pulling back. "You okay?"

Nancy nodded, glancing between TK and Carlos before giving Carlos a pointed look. "I assume Ranger Reyes is also in one piece?"

Carlos huffed, shaking his head. "I'm not the one who went running into danger today."

Nancy snorted. "You are married to TK. You run into danger by default."

Carlos groaned, but TK just smirked and leaned into Carlos's side. "That's fair."

Before Carlos could argue, Tommy walked up, looking as drained as the rest of them. "How's Marjan? Mateo?" TK asked immediately, shifting slightly but still clinging to Carlos's arm.

"They're getting checked out," Tommy assured them. "Judd and Paul too. No serious injuries—mostly just exhaustion, some dehydration, minor laceration, but they got them out in time."

A collective breath of relief swept through them, though Carlos felt TK's grip on his wrist tighten. He knew TK wouldn't be able to breathe easy until he saw them for himself.

Tommy's eyes flicked between TK and Carlos before she gave a small smile. "You two should sit," she said gently. "It's gonna be a while before we get full updates on everyone."

Carlos nodded, tugging TK toward one of the chairs. TK hesitated for just a moment before letting Carlos pull him down—onto his lap instead. It was probably unnecessary, and TK wasn't exactly small, but Carlos didn't care. He needed him close. Needed to feel that he was still breathing, still here.