hello! this is my first time posting for work in progress wednesday and I’m a little nervous but also excited to share this part from my upcoming bad things happen bingo fic! I editing this part a bit so I can post it and I think it’s also 90% how it will be in the final version of the fic! this fic features dual function FD medic TK! feedback would be greatly appreciated!
“Officer Reyes,” Owen replies. “How many apartments are occupied?”
“All of them,” Carlos responds. “Some tenants made it out but there are still others unaccounted for,” he continues, pointing to the group of people sitting on the lawn.
Owen nods. “Judd, radio for additional ambulances, Officer Reyes, I’m going to need you to expand the scene perimeter for the incoming rigs.”
The two captains and officer turn towards TK’s voice, finding the paramedic standing near.
“TK,” Owen starts to object but TK shakes his head, effectively stopping the rest of Owen’s sentence.
“Someone could be hurt in there and they could need help right away,” TK says. “We’ve seen how bad injuries can get in a fire as big as this, I have the training, I can do this.”
Tommy and Owen share a look and then the fire captain sighs.
“Okay,” Owen agrees. “You’re going in with Judd.”
TK nods, hands Tommy the medkit and quickly starts moving towards the firetruck to retrieve his turnout coat and gear, the adrenaline already starting to pump through his veins.
Carlos exchanges a quick concerned look with Owen before radioing Mitchell to relay Owen’s instructions as he follows TK. He reaches his boyfriend as TK is slipping on his coat.
Hearing footsteps approaching him, TK turns for a swift glance and spots Carlos. “It’s a good thing we keep these in the truck. It still fits,” he says, an attempt to lighten the tense atmosphere a little.
It doesn’t quite work as he had hoped, but Carlos gives him a small smile. TK takes it as a win.
“I’m going to be fine,” TK reassures Carlos, his tone turning a little serious as he feels and sees the worry and concern radiating from Carlos’s brown eyes.
The officer nods, placing his hands on his belt.
“I need to do this,” TK says.
“I know,” Carlos reaches a hand and places it on TK’s shoulder, giving him a light, supportive squeeze there. “I’m not going to try to talk you out of this. Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
TK knows it isn’t easy for Carlos to say those words, that every cell and fiber in Carlos’s being is screaming at him to stop TK, to tell him to stay out here, where it’s safe. Because TK knows he himself would be hearing those same screams inside his head if it were Carlos going into a dangerous situation. But he knows they trust each other, that they know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the other is good at what they do, and that it is part of who they are. Still, however, that knowledge doesn’t really help much in taming the hot pit of worry that brews in their stomach when the other is going into a dangerous situation.
TK knows Carlos is being strong for him, he can read it in his facial expressions and in his body language, in the rigid muscles under Carlos’s uniform. But he just as easily can identify that trust Carlos has in him, the love he feels and carries for him.
He takes Carlos’s hand and intertwines their fingers for a few moments.
He knows he has to go now, that every second counts, but he also doesn’t want to leave Carlos without reassurance. TK can sense when a hint of tension seeps from his boyfriend’s body at his touch.
“I promise,” TK gives him a small smile. “And I’ll be with Judd the whole time,” he adds, his voice strong.
Carlos nods again and then TK’s hand is gone from his. His eyes trail after TK as the younger man regroups with his crew.
Carlos feels frozen in place, his gut twists and dread sets into his bones, unable to shake this feeling that something dark is awaiting in the smoke, lingering, waiting. Carlos shakes his head, trying to expel those thoughts and to compose himself.
He stands taller, his breathing under control now, ready to focus on doing his job but all he can feel and concentrate on in this moment is the ghost of TK’s touch.
