Chapter Text
For the fifth day in a row, TK awakens from a hard fought slumber feeling like a cheese grater had been taken to his flesh. Each slight movement of his limbs causing the red and swollen patches of his skin to rub against the sweats he’s been forcing himself to wear since being discharged from the hospital.
His usual favorite clothing feeling more like steel wool than the well worn thread he’s used to feeling against his skin. He can’t risk Carlos seeing the state his skin is in though, it’ll only make his boyfriend worry more and cow-eye him into returning to the hospital. The place he has only just escaped and is rapidly becoming way too acquainted with. He’s a paramedic, he’s seen the after effects of pneumonia and cardiac arrest and how knows what to look for as well as treat the side effects. It won’t be easy, nor comfortable but he can’t risk Carlos finding out what’s going on.
Carlos and his relationship has only just been rejuvenated, the fragile stems and roots still at risk of crumbling at the slightest disturbance. TK can’t risk losing Carlos again due to the drama that seems to shadow him. He knows his heart wouldn’t be able to take it. Call him selfish, an idiot, hell even a masochist but he would rather bite his tongue clean off before even hinting to Carlos what was going on.
From beyond the closed doorway to their bedroom, TK can hear the clinking of cooking utensils as Carlos works on breakfast. Judging by the heavenly smell wafting up his nose, Carlos is making omelets, specifically Andrea’s recipe.
TK’s stomach rumbles with hunger, reminding him that his last meal had been more than eight hours ago. Throwing the covers aside plants his feet on the ground, the chill of the floorboards enough to penetrate his cotton socks. TK takes a breath, physically and mentally bracing himself for the pain he’s about to endure.
With a final breath, he forces himself into a standing position, his face scrunches up in pain as the numerous rashes scattered across his body brush against the fabric of his sweats and hoodie. They always seemed to be especially sensitive in the morning, likely from the natural dehydration that occurs during the night.
Finally standing, TK pulls the bedroom door open and enters the attached living room and kitchen area. The mouth watering smell of cooking vegetables with eggs and meat fills his nose, causing his already hungry stomach to let out another rumble.
Carlos looks up from the omelet sizzling in the pan, a soft smile lighting up his face upon laying eyes on his boyfriend. The younger man’s hair fluffy and sticking up in an adorable display of bedhead. Carlos himself had had to use a lot of gel this morning to tame his curls this morning, a task that had taken him nearly fifteen minutes.
TK had continuously pointed out how ‘sexy’ he thought Carlos was when he wore his hair naturally, comparing him to a serious but adorably attractive art student. Of course, after that TK had offered to ‘pose’ for him while unbuttoning his shirt with all the slowness of a glistened up porn star….
Carlos quickly puts a halt on that train of thought, and redirects his attention to the omelet in time to flip it onto its other side.
“Morning, Tiger.” With one last check on the omelet, Carlos walks around the siding of the bar area and cups TK’s cheek, delivering a smooth good morning kiss, one that TK happily chases after. His eyes closed with a smile gracing his handsome features.
“Good morning.” TK responds, his eyes reopening upon realizing no more kisses were going to follow.
Carlos returns to the stove and after checking on the omelet, he deems it ready to be served.
With a little flourish, Carlos transfers the omelet onto a plate along with a few slices of fruit and a glass of orange juice.
TK stares down in awe at the spread before him, noting how Carlos had even taken the time to cut up the pineapple in cubes the way that TK liked them. He looks up from his food to watch as Carlos brings over his own plate and glass of orange juice, taking the seat beside TK.
As if Carlos hadn’t just brightened TK’s heart with such a simple but loving act, the older man tucked into his food, his own fruit being that of sliced banana chunks.
They had officially been back together for around a week now but TK still found himself taken aback at the little acts of kindness and love Carlos continuously showed him. TK had been doing his best to return those moments in kind.
For instance, doing his best to hide the agitated state of his skin. The rashes nothing but a reminder of yet another trauma TK had dragged Carlos into. Together or not at the time, Carlos had still stayed to watch over his comatose body, more than likely expecting to see TK take his final artificial breath.
TK would do everything he could to not put Carlos through that stress again, especially not even a full week after TK had gotten out of the hospital.
“You okay, TK?”
Snapping out of his thoughts, TK meets Carlos’ curious but underlying concerned expression.
Looks like TK is falling down on the job of shielding Carlos from TK’s continued drama.
He puts on a smile, even throwing in a light chuckle as he leans forward and places a peck against Carlos’ lips.
“I’m perfect. Just admiring the incredible breakfast my wonderful boyfriend made us.”
TK can’t help but give Carlos a firmer kiss once he catches sight of the blush beginning to bloom around Carlos’ face.
Pulling back, TK whispers “thank you.”
Carlos smiles appreciatively but pointedly stares at TK’s own plate, “well, let’s not this let incredible meal go to waste. I know you didn’t eat much of the soup my mom brought over last night.”
Ever since TK had gotten home (he still felt a warm fuzzy feeling each time he called Carlos and his place that) Andrea had taken to bringing over homemade meals for the pair. Insisting that both of her boys needed some home cooked meals after that events that had taken place.
When Carlos had even mentioned being able to cook on one such occasion, all it had taken was a raised brow from the Reyes matriarch to shut down that train of thought and a promise to serve the tamales she brought that night for dinner.
“Yeah, I just wasn’t too hungry after that PT session. But, I assure you, my appetite is more than present now.”
TK picks up his fork and spears a piece of pineapple, popping the chunk into his mouth and exaggeratedly chewing.
Carlos good naturedly shakes his head and returns to his own breakfast. He does however, keep an eye on TK’s progress from the corner of his eye. Far be it from him to not make sure the love of his life eats a proper breakfast.
Especially after the diluted but still present signs he had noticed going on with TK as of late. For instance, the sweats and hoodies that had taken over TK’s wardrobe.
TK had always loved the comfy clothing, long before they had gotten serious. But lately, it was as if the other clothes in TK’s possession were little more than dust collectors. At first, Carlos had attributed the leisure outfits to TK still feeling the chill from the lake he had fallen into. As well as the warmth and security Carlos knew TK got from the sweats and hoodies he practically swaddled himself in.
Now, in combination with the less than enthusiastic way TK had been taking to meal times, Carlos was beginning to worry that maybe something else was going on.
He hopes he’s wrong but he still silently decides to continue keeping an eye on the other man, already preparing himself for the moment he’ll have to broach the topic of a doctor visit with TK.
Finishing his breakfast, Carlos bids TK with a deep goodbye kiss, reminding TK to call him if he needs anything, and heads off for his shift at APD.
A few minutes after Carlos’ departure, TK deposits his own dishes in the dishwasher and returns to the bedroom, intent on getting ready for the day, even if he’ll really be only doing watching trash tv and doing chores around the house.
Mandatory leave to recover was proving to be both a blessing and curse. A blessing because he truly did need the time to deal with the weakness and rashes that had developed. A curse because there was only so many daytime soaps he could make fun of before he was contemplating risking a trip down to the 126.
He enters the bathroom and pauses briefly in front of the shower, contemplating the energy he’ll sap as well as the irritation his enflamed skin will go through before ultimately vetoing the action. It’s not like he has anywhere to be.
As he goes through the motions of brushing his teeth, the right sleeve of his hoodie slips down his arm, revealing a particularly inflamed patch of skin along his arm. Spitting out the wad of toothpaste into the sink, TK sets his toothbrush down and bring his arm further towards his face for an examination.
The irritated skin is almost scaly in nature, reminding TK of a severe case of psoriasis than a common rash. Then again, rashes and psoriasis are in similar families of skin conditions and share similar flashes up. However, unlike psoriasis, at least a simple rash is more easily manageable and curable.
He has to believe that whatever is going on with his body will sort itself out soon. Otherwise, he just knows that Carlos will become even more concerned than he already is if well into the summer months TK is still wearing long sleeved hoodies and sweats.