1,847 words. rated g.
summary: Carlos takes TK to Build-A-Bear to make a bear for Jonah to remember his mom by.
for @tarlos-week-2022 day 7 free choice/no prompt.
Carlos enters the bedroom to find TK flopped against the bed, staring vacantly at the ceiling early in the afternoon with AirPods in, which is never a good sign. His heart sinks when he meets TKâs gaze, his green eyes conveying more pain and sorrow than any one person should have to face.
âWhatâs on your mind?â He asks gently, sitting down on the bed and stroking TKâs hair, itâs a small thing, but he knows TK finds it comforting.
âHow unfair it is that Jonah didnât get to know Mom.â TK admits, and Carlos feels his heart sink even lower. Itâs such an unfair situation, and he canât do a single thing to change it or make it easier.
âHeâll know her through you, TK.â Carlos tries to reassure TK, but heâs said the words so many times he evenâs not sure he believes them anymore. Still, he says it because it's worth trying if it might bring any comfort to TK.
âI have memories of Mom. I have photos and videos with her from every milestone in my life. I have voicemails to listen to whenever I need to hear her voice, but what does Jonah have? Will he even remember her voice?â TK asks with tears welling in his eyes, and Carlos feels an idea coming together, heâs not sure TK will go for it, but it just might work.
âJonah has you. Nobody knew her like you did, and youâll show him the photos, videos, and voicemails.â
âBut he doesnât have me! Iâm here, and heâs in New York.â TK snaps at him and immediately looks guilty for doing so. âSorry, Carlos. I didnât mean to snap. Iâm just soââ TK doesnât finish his sentence, but Carlos understands and pulls TK into a hug.
âCarlos, where are we going? I don't really feel like going out,â TK asks as he sits on the edge of the bed and slips on a pair of sneakers.
âJust trust me, Tyler.â Carlos says, taking him by the hand and leading him from the bedroom.
When they stop the car at the first set of lights, TK continues questioning Carlos, and finally wears him down.
âSo are you finally going to tell me where weâre going?â
âWeâre going to Build-A-Bear.â Carlos admits, nervously awaiting TKâs response.
âWeâre going to Build-A-Bear?â TK repeats, confused.
keep reading on AO3 or under the cut
âYes. Weâre going to make a Gwyneth bear, for Jonah, with a voice box that says âI love you,â from one of your voice mails, so he always has something to know his mother by, and a TK bear, so his brother is always with him.â Carlos explains. When TKâs eyes light up with joy, and he smiles for the first time all day, Carlos feels euphoric.
âCarlos, just pick one. Either of them will be fine.â TK tells him. Sure, picking between two similar teddy bears is a minor decision to most, but he doesnât see why that should mean itâs any less important or deserving of care. After all, this bear is for Jonah. Itâs an important bear; and more than that, itâs important to Carlos to get it right.
âThis has to be just right, Ty.â Carlos replies. When it comes to decisions, TK is impulsive; he always has been, and Carlos loves him for it, but he isnât wired like that. Carlos canât just make decisions without considering every option's outcome. Carlos is as cautious and considered as TK is impulsive, and he often thinks this is why they work so well: they balance each other out.
âYouâre such a control freak.â TK replies lovingly.
âYou love it.â Carlos replies with a smirk.
âI do.â
âI think this is the one.â Carlos states as he places the bear in his left hand back in the container.
âOk, we have the bears. Now what?â TK asks.
âNow we go to the sound station to add sound and scents to the bears.â Carlos explains, pointing to the âhear meâ sign on the wall above the next station.
âThereâs a reason Uncle Carlos is Izzy and Evieâs most requested babysitter.â
âAre you ready to record the voicemail message?â Carlos asks, and TK nods but reaches out his hand for Carlos to hold.
âI miss you so much, my sweet boy. Be safe. I love you more than youâll ever know.â Gwynâs voice plays out clearly through the speaker. If Carlos didnât know better, he would think she was standing right here. Carlos wraps an arm around him reassuringly when he sees the pain in TK's expression.
âAre we going to put sound in the other one?â TK asks.
âYes. It wonât be a TK bear if it doesnât have your voice.â Carlos tells him, and TK sighs.
âWhat if it had a message from both of us? He needs to know his uncle Carlos loves him too.â TK suggests, and hearing himself referred to as Uncle to TKâs brother before theyâre even married makes Carlos feel warm and fuzzy. He nods. They each record a message for each of the bearâs paws.
âYour big brother TK loves you so very much, Jonah.â TK records on the message box that will go in the bearâs left paw.
âUncle Carlos loves you.â After much deliberation, Carlos settles on a message thatâs simple and straight to the point. He also selects a lavender scent that reminds him of TKâs shampoo to add to the bear.
They take their bears to the âStuff Meâ station, where an employee with red hair and a name tag reading Em greets them. The Gwyn bear is the first to receive stuffing.
âGive it a hug and see how it feels. I can put more stuffing in if youâd like.â Em tells TK, holding the now plush bear out towards him.
âUh, itâs actually for my little brother⊠Iâm sure itâll be fine like this,â TK replies awkwardly, hesitating to accept the bear.
âThis is the perfect amount.â TK says, releasing the bear from his arms.
âFantastic, now we just need to pop a heart inside. For kids, there's a whole ceremony where you kiss the heart and make a wish, so if youâd like to do that, go right ahead.â Em tells them. TK selects a red satin heart, holding it in his hand for a moment before handing it to the employee to place inside the bear.
âAlright, sheâs all done. Onto the next bear.â Em tells TK as she stitches up the back of the bear and hands it back to him.
When itâs Carlosâ turn to choose a heart for the TK bear, he holds it in his hand. Although he feels childish doing so, Carlos makes a wish that the bear brings Jonah as much comfort and joy as TK has brought into his own life.
âA hoodie, really, Carlos?â TK says as Carlos sits down at the computer beside him to make the bear a birth certificate.
âTyler, a hoodie is as much a uniform for you as your EMT uniform. Itâs not a bad thing.â Carlos tells him truthfully. He loves TKâs hoodie obsession, though, at times, heâd rather there wasnât a hoodie draped over every chair in their loft.
âI wear other clothes too.â TK protests.
âThere hasnât been a day this week you havenât worn a hoodie. Youâre wearing a hoodie now.â Carlos points out, and TK looks down at his pink hoodie.
As theyâre paying for their bears, Carlos canât help but notice TK look longingly at the Gwyn bear.
A day later, TK returns home from a meeting to the table set for a candlelight dinner. Carlos is nervously busying himself in the kitchen, regretting his decision to surprise TK.
âSomething smells amazing, soon-to-be husband.â TK says as he steps into the loft.
âItâs just mac and cheese. How was your meeting?â Carlos replies from the kitchen as he takes a dish out of the oven.
âIt was good. Good probably isnât the right word.â TK says, dropping his keys in a dish by the door. âHelpful, I guess. Our last call today was a hard one, reminded me of my mom.â TK continues, looking at the ground sadly.
âIâm sorry, Tyler.â Carlos says, planting a kiss on TKâs head. At times like this, he just wants to stay in this moment forever, with TK safe in his arms, protected from the world.
âI love you.â TK tells Carlos.
âI love you too. I actually have something for you.â Carlos tells him, making a beeline for their bedroom and returning with a box behind his back. âIf you donât like it, you can say so, but I saw the way you were looking at the bear you made for Jonah, so I went back to the mall after my shiftââ
âCarlos, you got me a bear of my mom?â TK interrupts, his green eyes brimming with tears.
âI got you a bear of your mom.â Carlos repeats to him, handing him the box.
âThis is the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me. I love you beary much, Carlos.â TK says, pressing the bearâs paw to hear his momâs voice.
âI miss you, Tyler. Be safe, my sweet boy, I love you.â
 Day 7 of Tarlos Week 2022: Free choice
The fic in which TK has a bad call and Carlos is right there when he needs him.
Read on AO3
And the week is done! To everyone that has liked/reblogged my fics throughout the entire week it has been so lovely getting into writing and seeing people enjoy what you write. Thankyou, thankyou!
The silence in the ambulance on the way back to the station makes TK uncomfortable, yet he knows there is nothing to say to make it better. The last call had been the kind of call he hopes to never deal with ever again, the kind of call he knows are the ones that stick with first responders for years afterwards. The upturned bus, filled with family coming from a wedding, flashes in his mind and he shakes his head to remove it, knowing he canât even begin to process it yet.
TK had managed nearly two months going to nursing school until giving in to Nancy harassing him to come to visit the coffee shop she was working at part-time. They had ended up sitting next to each other from day one and Nancy had told him about the small coffee shop only a few blocks away from nursing school that she had already been working at for nearly a year, telling TK to come to visit and have a coffee but so far he had refused to give in. Mostly because he knew he would probably end up falling in love with the place, become a regular and spend way more money on sugary beverages than he should. But now he had already reached his breaking point and it had nothing to do with Nancy mentioning that the new assistant manager who had started last week was cuteâŠ
Okay, maybe her literal wording had been âhotter and stronger than any of the drinks we serveâ but that still wasnât the reason he had finally changed his mind! He was just being a good and supportive friend, there was nothing more to it.
ID: 6 gifs from 9-1-1: Lone Star. They're organized in two columns, with gif 1 to 3 to the left and gif 4 to 6 to the right.
Gif 1: Nancy and TK watch Carlos as he plays with Evie and Isabella in 2x14. Nancy looks over at TK with a smile. TK meets her gaze before looking at Carlos with a fond smile. Carlos laughs lightly, shaking his head with a smile.
Gif 2: Paul, Carlos and TK walks through the night club in 1x05. Carlos has one arm over TK's shoulder as he puts his other hand on Paul's shoulder and pulls him closer to them. TK then steps closer to Paul, placing both hands on his shoulder as he talks.
Gif 3: Tommy, Carlos and Nancy sit together in the hospital after having heard about TK's prognosis from the doctor in 3x03. Nancy and Tommy share a look behind Carlos back before rubbing his back comfortingly. They then grab each of his hands in their own.
The text on gif 1 to 3 reads "I love you guys together".
Gif 4: Owen, Billy, Tommy and Judd are gathered around an ambulance after the fire in Carlos and TK's house in 2x12. Owen smiles at Carlos and TK as they step up to the group. Judd pulls TK into a side-hug and rubs his back comfortingly.
Gif 5: Carlos sits by TK's hospital bed in 1x08, stroking TK's hair. Paul stands behind Carlos and squeezes his shoulder comfortingly, causing Carlos to look up at him.
Gif 6: Carlos and TK strand with Marjan, Paul, Mateo and Nancy in a semi-circle in the loft in 3x18. Carlos and TK stand in the middle as they all smile and embrace each other in a group hug.
The text on gif 4 to 6 reads "Everyone loves you guys together".
/End ID.
Relationships: Carlos Reyes/TK Strand, Carlos Reyes & TK Strand, Andrea Reyes & TK Strand
Characters: TK Strand, Carlos Reyes, Andrea Reyes
Additional Tags: Canon Compliant, Fluff, Kissing, Tarlos Week 2022 (9-1-1 Lone Star), Established Relationship, Dorks in Love, Flirting, Wedding Day
__________
TK fiddled nervously with his sobriety chip while walking up and down the room at their wedding venue, heart hammering anxiously against his ribs even though he knew there was no reason to. In a few hours he would be married to the love of his life and he couldnât wait to be able to call Carlos his husband but he was still unreasonably terrified, alone with his thoughts ever since Paul and Marjan had left the room. Their friends had helped him get ready but now they wanted to make sure everything else would be ready for the big day as well so the ceremony could go without a hitchâwhich definitely helped settle a bit of his anxiety but certainly not all of it.
It took another two minutes for him to say âfuck thisâ and TK opened the door, sneaking a glance into the hallway before stepping outside and quietly, quickly making his way towards the room where he knew his lover was getting ready for their big day. He didnât even know why he had suggested this archaic nonsense of ânot allowed to see your spouse before the weddingâ because it absolutely sucked. Part of him had thought it might be cute or whatever but now he felt like the only thing to calm his fluttery nerves would be the sight and touch of his almost-husband.
Tarlos Week 2022 Day 6 October 1st: âIâm too young to be a widowerâ + an emergency
The Fic in which Carlos has issues with TKâs tendencies to being the hero.
Read on AO3
TK shuts the door gently behind him and freezes near the door, cradling his arm to his chest. He hadnât expected Carlos to be home, let alone in the kitchen cooking like every night.
âHeyâ Carlos turns to look at him for a second before he turns back to continue cooking without replying. TK sighs and feels like he is a dog with his tail between his legs as he makes his way over to the kitchen and sits on a stool. He watches as Carlos continues to ignore him, moving from one side of the kitchen to the other as he continues cooking. He tries to think of something to say that will decrease the tension in the air when Carlos finally speaks.
Relationships: Carlos Reyes/TK Strand, Carlos Reyes & TK Strand, Nancy Gillian & TK Strand
Characters: TK Strand. Nancy Gillian, Carlos Reyes
Additional Tags: Canon Compliant, Married Couple, Hurt/Comfort, Light Angst, Established Relationship, Tarlos Week 2022 (9-1-1 Lone Star), Hurt Carlos Reyes, Hospitals
__________
TK got a call from the hospital at the end of his shift three days after they had returned from their honeymoon and once he had heard his husband's name and the words got stabbed at work, his brain barely registered anything afterwards. Nancy, who had been close by, noticed the colour draining from his face and gently took the phone from his shaking fingers to talk to the nurse and even though they still had about 30 minutes to their shift, Tommy gave both of them the okay to leave without hesitation. TK only stumbled after Nancy when she grabbed his hand and dragged him to her car so they could get to the hospital.
1,523 words. rated t.
summary: All TK and Carlos want is to plan a peaceful wedding, but danger seems to follow TK wherever he goes.
for the @tarlos-week-2022 day 6 prompt 'i'm too young to be a widower.'
âWhat?â TK asks as he hovers the mug over the slither of the table not covered in wedding planning.Â
Every surface of the loft is covered in wedding magazines, a rainbow of post-it notes, color-coded binders, carefully curated collages, and fabric swatches. Although TK couldnât possibly tell you what the swatches are for, he thinks perhaps for bowties but wouldnât swear to it. Theyâve been eating, sleeping and breathing nothing but wedding planning whenever their schedules align. But, of course, TK is happy to go along with anything that makes Carlos happy regarding the wedding.Â
âNot on the table with the wedding binder. You might spill it. Do you know how many hours Iâve spent on this?â Carlos throws his hands in the air in frustration.
âBabe, relax. Iâll move it.â TK says, placing his coffee carefully on the floor by the couch and earning himself a glare from Carlos.Â
âI am relaxed. I just want everything to be perfect for the wedding.â Carlos says through gritted teeth, but his tone is anything but relaxed.
âYouâre right.â Carlos admits, his body softening into TKâs shoulder massage.
âI usually am.â TK responds with a cocky smirk. Of course, heâs not always right, but he tends to be when it comes to Carlos.
âI donât know if I would go as far as to say thatâŠ,â Carlos teases, and they go about their morning, getting ready to leave for the formalwear shop.
keep reading on ao3 or under the cut
âWhatâs on your mind?â Carlos asks TK as they step out of the car outside the store.
What isnât on your mind might be a better question. TKâs been in his head the whole drive here. And itâs not just because heâs been dreaming of this moment for half his life. Or because he never thought heâd actually be picking a suit to wear to marry the man of his dreams. Itâs not even because heâd always imagined his mom helping him pick out his suit and plan his wedding.
Itâs because heâs happy , happier than he ever thought possible, and he wants to savour every second of this experience. He doesnât want anything to ruin this for them, but he canât help but worry. Sure, Austin is more progressive than he first expected, but itâs still Texas , and he doesnât mean to judge, but you never really know how people will react to two grooms.Â
âIâm just in my head about how theyâre going to react in there. To us being engaged, I mean.â He admits, somehow, since the engagement, itâs been easier to be vulnerable with Carlos, especially about stuff like this.
âThereâs no need to worry. I had the same thought, and I found this boutique online. They specialise in queer formalwear.â Carlos says, motioning to a rainbow of suits in the window display. Relief floods through TKâs body, and he starts to wonder why he was worried at all. Of course, Carlos thought of it. Carlos thinks of everything.
Theyâve been trying on a rainbow of suits and tuxedos for hours now, and the color variations, different cuts, and fabric choices are starting to overwhelm TK.
âMaybe Iâm just being too picky?â He asks.
âYou can be picky; itâs your wedding day, and you have to be comfortable in it.â
âIâm comfortable in a hoodie. If only I could get a formal hoodie...â
âIâd marry you in a hoodie. Heck, Iâd marry you in pyjamas even. But maybe try this one? Itâll make your eyes pop.â He says, and he hands TK an emerald green suit.
âThis is it, babe. This is the one.â Carlos says to TK as he steps out of the dressing room for the hundredth time. Ok, so maybe not the hundredth, though it sure feels like it.Â
âI think so too.â TK tells him, reaching up to wipe a tear from his fianceâs cheek, ignoring the ones trailing down his own.
âYou know, I might just die seeing you walk down the aisle to me in this suit, though.â
âUgh, Carlos. Iâm too young to be a widower and far too hot.â And sure, the last part is a little self-indulgent, but he knows Carlos will love it.
âDonât be so dramatiââ Carlos says, but heâs cut off suddenly. Itâs like the universe is mocking them. A car comes careening over the sidewalk and through the window display, narrowly avoiding Carlos.
âYou ok, babe?â TK asks as he peels off the suit jacket and rounds the car to check on the driver. âCall 9-1-1,â He shouts to the shocked shop owner, who nods and pulls out a phone.
âIâm all good, just some glass in my hair.â Carlos says as he heads for the passenger door.
âNo pulse.â TK calls out as he opens the driver's door, and Carlos comes around to help him. Together they lift the patient from the car, TK supporting her head. As soon as the patient is flat on the ground, TK commences CPR.
âThereâs a kid in the back seat. Can I take over for you so you can check her out?â Carlos calls out, opening the door to a terrified toddler still strapped into a car seat.
Effortlessly, they switch places, and Carlos commences compressions. Even in the middle of the chaos, TK canât help but notice how well they work together as a team.
âHi, buddy. Whatâs your name?â TK asks the young boyÂ
âTyler.â
âThatâs my name too! Does anything hurt Tyler?â
âIt hurts here.â Tyler, who is likely no older than 3, says as he gestures to his back.Â
âCan you wiggle your toes for me?â TK asks, glad Tyler is wearing sandals so heâll be able to see.Â
âLike this?â He asks, but his feet remain still.
âGreat job, buddy. Now can you do something really important for me?â TK asks. He hates lying to patients. Especially to children, but he needs to keep Tyler calm, so he doesnât injure himself further.
âWhat?â He asks.
âCan you stay really, really still for me? Pretend youâre a statue.â
âOk.â
âTK?â Carlos calls out.
âCan you stay here and stay really still while I check on your mom?â TK asks, and Tyler says yes.
âWe have a pulse.â Carlos tells TK as the woman slowly comes too.
âFantastic, can you go keep the little boy, Tyler, in the backseat calm.â TK says and then lowers his voice. âI think he might have a spinal injury. Itâs imperative that he doesnât move until EMS can put a C Collar on him.â
Itâs at that moment that a siren approaches.Â
âDude, if you missed me this much, you could have called. Or better yet, not taken the shift off.â Nancy tells TK as she and Captain Vega step out of the ambulance and rush over to assess the scene.
âApparently, the job goes where I go, Nancy. Can you check my new friend Tyler in the back seat?â
As Nancy checks the toddler, TK hands over the driver to Captain Vega, and theyâre quick to load both patients into the ambulance. When theyâre leaving, Nancy turns to TK.
âThe green suits you, but maybe less blood for the actual wedding?â As she mentions blood, TK looks down to see the shirt sleeve stained red with blood.Â
âAt least itâs not mine this timeâŠ,â He muses.
âYou sure about that dude?â She asks, and he looks again and, this time, notices the sleeve is redder. Heâs cut his arm extracting the driver. As he makes a mental note to clean it when they get home, he's interrupted.
âOh no . The binder.â Carlos cries out as EMS leave and as he picks up a squashed, tire-marked folder from the rubble of the crash.
âYou brought the wedding binder with you?â TK asks, and heâs not sure why heâs surprised. However, he wouldnât be surprised if Carlos had the entire thing committed to memory by now.
âOf course, how else would I compare back to our mood board and top 5 color schemes? And now Iâve ruined everything by bringing it with us.â Carlos asks, and TK can see every muscle in his body tense.
âYou taught me how to be loved, so I know everything youâve planned will be perfect, binder or no binder.â
âI just want everything to be perfect for the day I marry the most perfect man.â
âCarlos, baby, Itâs illegal to marry yourself. As a cop, you should know that.â TK says with a smirk as he tenderly brushes a stray curl off Carlosâs face.Â
âBe serious, TK.â
âI am being serious; youâre perfect. Iâll help you make a new binder.âÂ
âYouâd help me make another binder?â TK pulls Carlos close and kisses him passionately in place of an answer.
Day 3 September 28th: âIâm gonna be late for workâ + kissing/making out
Fic in which TK struggles to understand how honeymoons canât last forever
Read on AO3
Tk wakes too warm, with a familiar light shining across his face, the glow of it way too bright for his partially open eyes. He groans turns to his stomach and blinks his eyes fully open when his outstretched arm comes up empty on the other side of the bed.
Theyâd only got into bed when the sun was already beginning its ascent after flight delays had caused them to spend nearly a whole day travelling and while TK had easily fallen asleep on their consecutive flights and in various airport lounges, Carlos had struggled with the stress of the whole situation and was wide awake the whole time. Last TK knew theyâd both decided to spend the morning in bed until Carlos had to front up for his shift.
Relationships: Carlos Reyes/TK Strand, Carlos Reyes & TK Strand
Characters: Carlos Reyes, TK Strand
Additional Tags: Canon Compliant, Dorks in Love, Making Out, Kissing, Tarlos Week 2022, Established Relationship, Married Couple, TK Strand is a Little Shit
__________
âI feel very overdressed even though thatâs kind of ridiculous since Iâm used to going to work in full uniform,â Carlos sighed with a scrunched-up nose as he left the bedroom, adjusting the collar of his white dress shirt. It wasnât that he generally didnât like wearing these kinds of clothes but it felt unfamiliar nonetheless to dress like this for regular work. When he glanced up from adjusting his shirt, he spotted TK in the kitchen, a cup of coffee halfway to his mouth and eyes glued to Carlosâ chest. âEarth to TK, are you sleeping with your eyes open?â
âWhaâno! You justâŠlook nice.â
âYouâre behaving as if youâve never seen me in a dress shirt and slacks before,â Carlos huffed in amusement, tilting his head as he watched the faintest hint of pink spreading across his husbandâs cheeks. âYouâre not short-circuiting again like before our wedding, are you?â
Tarlos Week 2022 Day 4 September 29th: âDonât do thisâ and/or a story set between season 2 and season 3
The fic in which Carlos gets hurt, but TK still hurts him more.
Read on AO3
Theyâre a mere thirty minutes from the end of their shift when the call comes in. Itâs listed as a domestic disturbance and the details given to 911 operators are sketchy at best. Carlos has responded to domestic disturbance calls for years and they range from the smallest family arguments that get just a little too loud to serious incidents that required the most tactile of responses.
He gives his partner, Lexi Mitchell a nod as she accepts the call and he flicks the lights and sirens on, carefully navigating the after-work traffic.