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Text: Chapter Two
Author: noxsoulmate
Reader: Juulna
Length: 1:11:08 minutes
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plus one
Carlos was sappy enough to admit that he’d often imagined how it would be to meet his neighbor for the first time.
The most simple scenarios ran through his mind – them meeting in the lobby, just wishing each other a good day and recognition ensues; one of them rushing to the elevator, the other one holding open the door, their voices once more giving them away; both of them leaving their apartments at the same time, looking up, eyes meeting, instantly knowing.
To be honest, it was rather fascinating – and maybe a bit frustrating – that a good six weeks had passed and they still hadn’t met. It wasn’t like either of them were actively avoiding it, they simply hadn’t talked about it anymore. Maybe Carlos should bring it up again soon…
But then… well, then there was also TK Strand. A man he still hadn’t had a chance to even speak to. He had run into the 126 at a handful more scenes but the only Strand he ever communicated with was Strand senior. But the fact that they hadn’t exchanged a single word yet – heck, the fact that he had yet to even hear the man’s voice – didn’t lessen his attraction in any way. Sometimes, it almost felt magnetic, the way he was drawn to the man physically.
And Carlos hated the dilemma this put him in.
He had always, always been the ‘one guy at a time’-type, and the fact that his heart and his dick were currently pulling him in two different directions… he was close to a morality crisis if ever he knew one.
If he really had to decide now, though; if someone would force him to make a decision right this second… Carlos knew that he would choose his still faceless neighbor over TK. Yes, the firefighter was exactly his type, with his green eyes and unruly dark hair, and that wasn’t even mentioning that sexy smile… but… it wasn’t the same kind of attraction Carlos had formed for his neighbor. He knew that sounded crazy, given that he had yet to find out what the man even looked like. But looks weren’t all that important to him.
It had taken years to realize he was demisexual – but when he came to the realization, it made sense. And the situation he was currently in was even further proof. Yes, he was attracted to TK without ever even talking to him – but the pull to the man he had gotten to know on an entirely different level but had yet to meet was so much stronger. He knew his neighbor in a way he hadn’t known any man in a long while – if ever – and he liked what he knew. So he had made up his mind. Before he would talk to TK, he would ask his neighbor to finally meet, maybe even go on a date. If it turned out that his feelings were one-sided he would go up to TK and start getting to know the man.
With that decision made, he was fantasizing about their first meeting once again. If he went through with his plan, it would probably be completely unspectacular – which he was fine with. They would agree to meet, one most likely knocking on the door of the other… it wasn’t what his imagination had been supplying him with but he was absolutely okay with that.
What pulled the rug out from under him was the way it actually ended up happening. He didn’t expect to one day come home from work and find a little gathering around one of the biggest trees in the park right next to their building. It was a wide tree, an old oak that carried so many leaves he couldn’t see what held everyone’s attention. He was still in uniform, which was probably the only reason the first few people instantly made room for him.
“What’s going on?” he asked the group at large, following their gazes up the tree. He couldn’t see anything, the thick leaves still covering whatever was going on up there and seemed to have everyone spellbound. But he could see a ladder leaning against the trunk so his bet was that someone was up there.
“The nice firefighter is bringing Fluffy down.”
Carlos’ gaze wandered from the ladder to a young girl he recognized from around the neighborhood. Her eyes were red-rimmed and her cheeks blotchy, obviously from crying, and she was leaning against an elderly woman who looked to be the kid’s grandmother if their resemblance said anything. They were new to the area and Carlos hadn’t had time yet to get to know them better.
Not that he knew all his neighbors, point in case being the very man he shared a wall with.
“And who is Fluffy?” he asked as he let his eyes wander around, unconsciously looking for someone he thought might fit the voice of his neighbor. But he quickly looked back down to the girl when she spoke, giving her his full attention.
“He’s my cat and he ran away because he was scared by a dog and then he ran up the tree and he hasn’t come down for hours.”
“I’m really sorry for this crowd, officer,” the elderly woman added. “I hope no one called–”
“Oh no, don’t worry. It’s no trouble. I live here and was on my way home, this isn’t an official call,” he assured her. “So, a firefighter is up there, you say?”
“Yes. This nice gentleman over there brought the ladder and was about to climb up when the young man stopped him. He was also still in uniform and explained that as a firefighter, getting cats down from trees is part of his job, so he should do it.”
“It’s definitely better this way,” Carlos agreed, although he was pretty sure said firefighter was only trying to stop a civilian from climbing up a tree. “How long has he been up there?”
“Maybe five minutes,” the woman replied. “Fluffy was really scared, I bet he won’t be easy to coax down.”
“Alright, I’ll just go and check on him.”
The crowd easily parted for Carlos to step up to the trunk of the wide oak tree. The closer he got the clearer he heard soothing words, soft… and yet…
Familiar.
Carlos’ heart stopped for a second and then started racing when he recognized the voice of his neighbor. Swallowing, he still spoke up, knowing that everyone was looking at him.
“How’s it going up there?”
There was some soft swearing that let him assume his neighbor had recognized his voice in return, but after a moment the man still answered. “A bit problematic, the little dude is shy.”
“Need a hand?”
“No, it’s fine. I’m a firefighter, I do this daily.”
“I thought that was just a myth,” Carlos voiced what he’d already thought when the elderly woman had told him the same. He also couldn’t help but put a few puzzle pieces together, coming to the conclusion that firefighter definitely fit the picture he had of his neighbor. It certainly wasn’t a nine-to-five job.
The chuckle that answered him was familiar in a way he hadn’t thought possible, making the butterflies in his stomach soar.
“Yeah, it is. Doesn’t mean I’ll look away when a little girl is bawling her eyes out– oh, wait, he’s moving. Come here, Fluffy, come on kittykittykitty.”
Carlos had to bite the inside of his lip to keep from grinning, the man up there was too cute to be true. And then suddenly, everything went so fast, Carlos didn’t even have time to realize that he was about to meet his neighbor. One second they were all staring up the tree – and in the next, there was a triumphant yell, then movement… and then feet appeared back at the top of the ladder, beginning to climb down. Carlos’ sight was obscured by a very nice ass – no complaints about that view – but somehow, the quick glance he had gotten was enough to stir something in the back of his mind.
And then suddenly, the man hopped down the last few rungs – and Carlos was gazing directly into the shiny green eyes of TK Strand.
He caught the second TK recognized him as well, his eyes going wide in surprise while his giddy smile spread even more, a hushed “You,” falling from his lips. Clearly, he was as startled as Carlos – but as first reactions go, this was definitely a positive one.
Neither of them had time to fully acknowledge this monumental moment before the little girl rushed up to TK, her grandmother right behind her, and the crowd all around them applauding – not that Carlos noticed any of this until TK was kneeling down to the girl, momentarily releasing him from the spell of those green eyes.
“Here you go, little Miss Susi.” TK’s smooth voice was even softer as he handed the cat to the girl who instantly hugged the pet to her chest, burying her face in his thick fur.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Firefighter.”
“Absolutely no problem. Remember, firefighters are always ready to help. Same as police officers,” he added, smiling over his shoulder and up to Carlos – a gesture that may or may not have led to Carlos’ throat going dry. Before he could reply, TK turned back to the girl. “And I think Fluffy is doing alright, he’s just a bit scared. But maybe keep a close eye on him today.”
“I will,” Susi murmured against Fluffy’s fur. “I won’t let him out of my sight again.”
“That sounds good,” TK replied with a smile, looking up at the grandmother. “If you notice anything, maybe take him to the vet. But really, he looks fine to me.”
“Thank you so much. Truly.”
“It’s no problem. I’m just happy I could help.” TK’s voice was so sincere there was no doubt left that he really meant it. “And you, Fluffy,” he addressed the cat, like the dork he apparently was, “make sure to stay away from any more dogs and trees, okay?”
Carlos knew that the cat obviously wasn’t answering TK – but that didn’t keep him and everyone around from grinning when the cat turned its head towards TK and meowed. Even TK himself chuckled and reached out one hand to scratch Fluffy behind his ears.
That was the moment Carlos saw the thin lines of blood covering the back of TK’s hand. Susi obviously noticed as well and she let out a gasp.
“Oh, Mr. Firefighter, you’re bleeding.”
TK turned his hand as if to check himself, then shrugged. “Just a little scratch, don’t worry about it. Look, it’s not even really bleeding anymore.”
“Did Fluffy do that?” Susi asked with wide eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. Honestly. You take good care of my new friend here and then all is good.”
“Really?”
Susi’s small voice nearly broke Carlos’ heart and it had him jolting into action.
“Yes, really,” he assured her, stepping next to TK. “How about we make a deal? You take care of Fluffy and I’ll take care of TK, okay?”
“Okay,” Susi replied, but she didn’t sound convinced just yet.
This time, her grandmother spoke up. “And maybe later, we’ll bring some of the cookies over to this nice firefighter. I think we definitely baked enough to share. How does that sound?”
“Oh, I love cookies,” TK instantly jumped in, grinning up at the grandmother before turning back to Susi. “And I would love to try any cookies you wanna share with me.”
Carlos didn’t know if it was the prospect of doing something for the man that was obviously her new hero right now or if TK’s smile was simply so contagious. But Susi smiled back at him before TK had even stopped talking.
“I bake the best chocolate cookies. They’re really yummy.”
“Chocolate cookies are my favorites.”
“I’ll bring you so many. And if you like them, I’ll bake you even more.”
At that, TK laughed and ruffled her hair as he got up from his kneeling position. “I’m looking forward to eating all of them.” Acknowledging the grandmother one more time, he gave her his address – the last confirmation that, yes, he really was Carlos’ neighbor – and after she confirmed that they would be over once they had Fluffy settled, TK turned back to Carlos. “Great. And until then, I hear Officer Reyes is going to take care of me.”
There was something in that statement that Carlos was sure he wasn’t imagining. A double entendre that had heat pooling in Carlos’ stomach. Still, he managed to nod and give the little family a friendly wave before catching TK’s eyes with a slightly raised eyebrow.
“I definitely will, don’t worry.”
He could see the way TK had to bite his cheek to not fully react. Still, there was a slight smirk on his lips and fire in his eyes that Carlos couldn’t wait to see in private.
Taking a few moments to make sure everything else was in order – the ladder was already taken away and the crowd slowly dissolving – Carlos and TK fell in step as they made their way across the street and over to their building. Neither of them spoke a word but they walked so close their shoulders were brushing every other step. There was a tension between them, something electric and exciting that had Carlos giddy with anticipation.
It wasn’t until they were in the elevator that TK broke, chuckling as he pressed the button to their floor.
“What?” Carlos asked even though he had to chuckle himself. The moment – the whole coincidence – was so surreal somehow.
“I don’t know,” TK replied with a shrug. “This certainly wasn’t how I imagined our first meeting would go.” Carlos could see TK eying him up and down before the man turned a bit bashful. A fact that did not hide the wide and happy smile. “Or that my neighbor turns out to be a certain hot officer.”
Carlos raised one eyebrow but decided to ignore the second statement for the time being and instead focus on the first. “Really? How did you imagine it then?”
TK shrugged again, exiting the elevator after it opened up to their floor. “Don’t know. Something simple like running into each other on the elevator, maybe. Or… you know, there might’ve been that one fantasy where you cause a little kitchen fire and I’m able to play the heroic firefighter, saving you.”
Carlos joined TK’s chuckle but shook his head as he pulled out his keys. “You wanted me to burn down the building just so we could meet?”
“When you say it like that, it sounds really bad – even though I would’ve stopped the fire in time, of course. No damage to anything but your kitchen and all easily fixable.”
“Of course,” Carlos replied and they both laughed while he opened his door, letting TK step through first, pointing him to the bathroom. “Better wash your hands and clean that. I’ll put my gun away and grab the medic kit.”
“You know it’s really not that bad, right?”
“I do, yes,” Carlos agreed, raising his voice a bit as he moved to the bedroom and his gun safe. “But Susi will want to check when they bring over the cookies, so you better have at least a band-aid over it.”
“Technically,” he heard TK’s voice over the running water, “with little scratches like that, it’s better to just let it be out in the air.”
Carlos grinned to himself about that. The movement of opening the safe, putting his gun away, and then stripping off the rest of his utility belt was so practiced he finished quickly while listening to TK, already moving over to the adjacent bathroom.
“That may be true,” he told him as he went straight to one of the bathroom cabinets, pulling out the medic kit while looking at TK with a raised eyebrow. “You wanna be the one to explain why I didn’t take care of you when Susi asks?”
When TK sighed and made a vague gesture, Carlos chuckled again and handed TK a towel before heading into the living room. He put the kit down on the coffee table as he settled on the couch, TK next to him just moments later. They were silent while Carlos inspected the scratches. TK was right, of course, it was nothing big. A bit swollen, like scratches from claws tended to be, but that should go down in just a few hours. Still, he dabbed a bit of antiseptic on the cuts, just to be sure.
When he spoke, it was quiet, given how close they sat. “Actually… we did meet while you were a heroic firefighter.”
When TK chuckled, Carlos could actually feel his breath puff across his skin. He didn’t let it distract him.
“Saving a cat from a tree isn’t exactly heroic.”
“For Susi it certainly is,” Carlos replied, looking up and right into TK’s green eyes. “I’m pretty sure you’re her very own superhero now.”
It was really cute to see TK’s cheeks color as he tried not to smile. But Carlos chose not to comment on it as he put a band-aid on the one cut that was a bit deeper than the others. When TK noticed, he huffed out a little laugh.
“Really?”
“Hey, I have a lot of nieces,” Carlos replied with a wide smirk as he cleaned up, “Of course my band-aids have unicorns on them.”
He was about to get up to put the kit and the trash away – but he was stopped by TK catching his hand, pulling softly until Carlos settled back down. There was a slight shift in the air and Carlos could see it in TK’s eyes as well. His gaze was softer, the adrenaline gone, the already charged atmosphere shifted to something more intimate.
TK’s thumb was brushing over the back of Carlos’ hand and it sent little sparks up his arms.
“It’s kinda weird… connecting these two people in my mind.”
The statement was apropos of nothing and still, Carlos didn’t need to ask for clarification. He knew exactly what TK meant.
“Yeah, same,” he admitted, turning a bit further toward the other man as he couldn’t help but ask, “Are you… are you disappointed?”
“Do I look disappointed?”
It was Carlos’ turn to duck his head as he tried to hide his bashful smile. TK squeezed his hand to get his attention back.
“I’m actually… kind of relieved.”
Carlos had to swallow, his mouth suddenly so terribly dry. Licking his lips, he shifted slightly. “Why is that?”
“I’m… not exactly used to being attracted to two people at the same time.”
He didn’t mean to, but Carlos couldn’t stop the laugh bubbling out of his chest, shaking his head in disbelief. “Yeah, me neither,” he admitted, being blinded by TK’s wide smile once again.
His hand was still in TK’s and it felt so soft, so warm. It felt amazing.
When TK spoke next, there was a little spark in his eyes, something playing around his lips that spelled mischief and trouble. Something Carlos had a feeling he would have to get used to in the future.
“We should have a few more minutes before Susi shows up and I need to be over at my apartment, right?”
“Approximately, yeah.”
“Good,” TK replied, leaning a bit closer. “Because I’ve been dying to kiss you for a long time now.”
Carlos’ heart was in his throat and he really didn’t know why they weren’t kissing already – he didn’t know why he suddenly had to ask, “Which version of me?”
TK’s eyes found his again, the grin turning wider. “Both. Always both.”
“Good answer,” Carlos whispered back, his grin matching TK’s as he leaned closer, his free hand rising to cup TK’s jaw.
He never meant to drag out the moment of anticipation – even though it was exhilarating, being this close to TK, their lips nearly touching, their breaths already mingling…
No, he never meant to – but in hindsight, he was glad he did because the moment he wanted to close the gap, they heard an excited voice outside his door, small footsteps rushing by.
“Grandma, come on, I want Mr. TK to taste the cookies.”
They both froze, TK even closing his eyes as he leaned back a bit. “So much for ‘a few minutes’.”
Carlos couldn’t help but chuckle at TK’s whine, getting up to follow when TK moved towards the door.
“Hey, at least that means we won’t get interrupted later,” he said, reaching for TK just before he could open the door. Pressing close to his backside, he whispered into his ear, “And it’s probably better that way.”
He could feel the shiver that ran through TK’s body at his words, his voice husky when he told him to shut up. The grin was obvious in his voice and it had Carlos giddy for what was to come.
Not keeping TK any longer, he stepped back, letting the man open his apartment door – already looking forward to the moment it would close them in again…
TK had to take a deep breath to compose himself.
Carlos was definitely right – once they would start making out and… well, whatever might follow… once that started he wasn’t so sure he would have the willpower to stop. Even for a kid as sweet as Susi.
So, yes, it probably was better this way. Which didn’t mean that he liked it but that was neither here nor there. He just hoped Susi and her grandma wouldn’t stay too terribly long.
Finally opening the door, he stepped outside and looked over to his own door, waving at the duo. “Susi, hey. I’m here.”
“Mr. TK!” Susi’s yell was full of excitement as she chased down the hallway, a big plate in hand, covered with tinfoil. “I got your cookies here.”
“Nice, that is so sweet of you.”
Her grandmother stepped back towards them, far calmer, a quizzical look on her face. “I could’ve sworn you said 7c.”
“Oh, yes.” TK gave her an apologetic smile and opened the door further to reveal Carlos. “It is, I’m sorry for the confusion. This is Officer Reyes’ apartment – we’re actually neighbors.”
“And since I promised little Miss Susi to take care of her hero…” Carlos threw in, giving her his most charming smile.
One that had TK melt a little and he quickly had to look away and back at Susi. To distract himself, he showed her the back of his hand. “Look, he cleaned it all up and even gave me an awesome band-aid.”
“It has unicorns on it,” Susi replied, beaming up at him.
“It sure does,” TK agreed.
Before either of them could continue, Carlos proved that he was a well-raised southern boy with manners, opening the door even wider. “Please, come on in. No need to stay outside in the hallway.”
Susi rushed past them with a little giggle, whilst her grandmother smiled at them both and followed TK inside.
“So, we have a firefighter and a police officer in the building? Now, that does give an old woman a sense of security, I have to admit.”
“Not just that,” TK said, offering her a smile. “I’m actually dual-certified. I’m also a paramedic, I just don’t currently work as one.”
“Oh, why is that?”
While TK launched into a short explanation about the differences between Texas and most other states and also answered all the follow-up questions, Carlos not only offered her a seat but also a glass of water. While they all talked, Carlos helped Susi transfer the cookies to one of his own plates so that they could take it back home right away. He even cleaned the plate… a fact that should not touch TK as much as it did.
Susi and her grandma stayed a good half an hour, all of them eating some cookies and drinking tea, talking, laughing, and getting to know each other. Once the tea was gone and TK and Carlos had praised Susi’s baking skills over and over again, they followed the two to the door.
“It was really nice to meet you and have the chance to get to know you,” Helen – as she’d insisted on – told them, stepping outside into the hallway. “Please, don’t hesitate to come downstairs if you need anything.”
“Likewise,” TK replied, briefly looking back at Carlos. “We’re always happy to help.”
“You two have a good evening.”
They said their goodbyes, Susi hugging both of them in thanks one more time, then they made their way down to the elevator.
TK had wondered what would happen the moment they were alone again – and when it happened, he certainly wasn’t disappointed. The door wasn’t even fully closed when he felt Carlos’ warmth at his back again, hot breath ghosting over his neck all the way up to his ear, making him shiver in the best way possible.
“Finally,” Carlos murmured, his lips so close TK could feel them against his ear. “Now, where were we? Unless you wanna avoid me some more…”
TK turned around and when he could feel Carlos step back to give him space, he grabbed for his uniform shirt, his fingers digging in as he yanked the man closer again. The motion brought a cheeky grin to Carlos’ lips and he caught himself with his hands to the left and right of TK’s head, efficiently caging him in and fully closing the door all at once.
“Answer enough?” TK quipped back, thrilled when Carlos’ grin only spread wider. He could feel Carlos’ thick thigh find its way between his legs and for a moment, he had to close his eyes, softly groaning at the sensation. “Fuck.”
“Is that an invitation?”
Opening his eyes, TK found Carlos so damn close he could see every little detail of those warm brown eyes. He wanted to drown in them – but more than that, he wanted to finally taste those lips that were so close, so fucking close. Just a little tilt of his head and they would finally be kissing. And yet, Carlos was just hovering there, drifting in and out, as if he wanted to drag out the moment… until TK understood.
He wasn’t dragging it out. He was waiting for an answer.
Pulling his gaze away from those sinful lips and looking back into his eyes, TK gave a tiny nod as he breathed, “Yes.”
The word was barely spoken when Carlos’ lips already claimed his, clearly as eager as TK was and unable to restrain himself another second. TK moaned at that first contact, moaned against Carlos’ lips and into his mouth when they opened up for each other, the kiss quickly deepening. One of TK’s hands was still fisted in Carlos’ uniform shirt, making sure the man was as close as possible, while his other came up to cup Carlos’ strong neck, fingers brushing along the short hair there. He could feel the man shiver and pressed even closer, wanting to feel every little movement.
Sure hands came to his waist, holding him steady as Carlos moved his hips, once, twice, pulling mutual moans out of them. Still, it didn’t feel like enough. TK wanted this man so badly and it felt so good to know that Carlos wanted him too. Pushing into him, he was able to flip them around, crowding Carlos against the door as the man let out a surprised huff. TK didn’t give him any time to catch up with the moment, catching Carlos’ lower lip between his teeth before deepening the kiss again.
One of Carlos’ broad hands came up to hold the back of his head, making sure that TK wouldn’t pull away – as if he even wanted to. He was far too busy finally trying to rid Carlos of his uniform, starting on the way too many buttons. He had half a mind to just rip the thing off – as he’d always dreamed – but rationally, he knew it would be bad to actually do that with a real uniform.
Carlos’ hip bucked against his and TK realized a second too late that he used it to dislodge them from the wall. TK stumbled a bit but Carlos had a strong grip on him, holding him upright. Still, the man grinned into their kiss.
“Am I making you weak in your knees?”
“Cocky much?” TK quipped back between kisses, letting Carlos move him backwards and further into the room. In what direction he had no idea, but he sure as hell hoped it was somewhere they could get horizontal.
Before they got there, TK was gently pushed up against another wall, Carlos’ lips leaving his for the first time but only to wander down his chin and along his neck. Resting his head back against the wall, he stopped working on Carlos’ buttons for a moment in favor of closing his eyes and enjoying the sensation. It didn’t take long for Carlos to find his weak spot which made TK suck in air and groan out loud, his hips bucking up against Carlos’ frame. The husky chuckle that followed drove him even crazier and while he could feel Carlos nibble some more at the sensitive skin of his neck, TK went back to ridding him of his uniform.
The next few minutes were a blur of exploration as they revealed more and more of each other’s skin, all the while being driven crazy with hands and tongues and teeth. At one point, TK made a half-hearted attempt at switching their positions, one that Carlos must’ve seen right through as he used his stronger body to gently pin him again. Unable to stop the guttural groan, TK reveled in being manhandled like that, pulling Carlos into a deep kiss so there would be no doubt how much he loved a man who took charge. And the fire in Carlos’ eyes told him they were matched in this just as well as they were in so many other aspects.
After an indefinite period of time, Carlos’ glorious body was finally and almost fully revealed to him, all that was left were their boxer briefs – and TK really couldn’t wait any longer. Kissing along Carlos’ collarbone and down his chest, he slowly sank down to his knees. He let his tongue play along the seam of Carlos’ underwear, looking up at the man when he whispered TK’s name. He didn’t move further but he also didn’t stop what he was doing, waiting for Carlos’ okay.
“Fuck, I just…” Carlos seemed to need a second to pull his thoughts together – or his ability to speak, which made TK grin up at him.
“Did I render you speechless?” he quipped, earning himself an eye roll and a chuckle before Carlos shook his head.
“No, I just realized that I don’t have any condoms.”
Well, okay, that was a problem. Because TK didn’t either. Thinking about it for a moment, he brought up his hand, playing with the seam of the boxer brief again.
“Well, I mean… I got tested right after I moved here… I mean… with how that thing before ended, I needed to be sure…” His voice gave out a little bit but when he saw the warmth in Carlos’ eyes, he smiled up at him, stating, “I’m clean, so…”
He could see Carlos swallow before he leaned down so he was closer to TK’s face, his hand catching in TK’s hair, making him groan ever so softly. His hair was another weak spot. Trying to keep his eyes open, he looked at Carlos, who smiled at him.
“And you’ll believe me when I say I got tested about two months ago and all came back clean as well?”
“I have no reason not to trust you,” TK whispered back, not even surprised by how sincere that statement was. He trusted this man so much; had trusted him for a while now. His gut told him there was no way he was lying. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes,” Carlos breathed out before his lips caught TK’s again. It was far sweeter than their previously heated makeout or the current positions warranted.
That, however, quickly changed when TK got his hands on Carlos’ boxer briefs again. Pulling them down, he took Carlos’ cock in his hand and started jerking him off. Carlos stilled for a second as if taken by surprise and groaned into the kiss. A sound that TK hungrily swallowed as his tongue found its way into Carlos’ mouth.
It wasn’t long before Carlos leaned back up, angling his hip closer to TK’s face instead. A clear invitation that TK didn’t hesitate to take. Leaning in, he licked and nibbled along Carlos’ inner thigh, remembering the countless times he’d lusted over them in that way too tight uniform. Every little bite, he soothed with his tongue and his lips, reveling in the moans Carlos let out.
When the man moved, TK looked up, watching as Carlos braced his free hand against the wall behind TK, the other hand still in TK’s hair.
“TK, please,” he begged, watching him through half-hooded eyes.
And how could he possibly deny him anything in this moment?
Moving his head, he kissed along Carlos’ cock until he reached the tip, and then slowly, teasingly slowly, swallowed him down.
“Oh, fuck,” he heard Carlos swear as the man braced himself against the wall with his whole forearm now.
The slight change in position didn’t irritate TK, but it certainly gave him even less room to work. Not that he minded. Pulling back as best as he could, he took a calming breath and then moved his head again. It took a few tries, some short breaks that he used to pleasure Carlos with his tongue – but eventually, he had all of Carlos’ certainly-more-than-average-sized cock in his mouth. He took shallow breaths through his nose, ignoring the burning of tears in the corners of his eyes and the saliva running down his chin. Instead, he focused on the feeling. A feeling he had truly missed and that he found he loved even more, now that it was with Carlos.
“God, you’re amazing,” came Carlos’ husky voice from somewhere above him, the hand in his hair gently stroking his scalp. “This is so hot.”
TK could feel how much Carlos was restraining himself from not just fucking his face. He was basically vibrating, the muscles in his legs strung tight like a bowstring, ready to snap any second. Pulling back and lazily bobbing his head a few times, TK brought his hand up to guide Carlos’ hips, hoping he would understand.
Instead, though, Carlos groaned and then pulled all the way out.
“Hey,” TK protested, using the moment to wipe his chin on the back of his hand. “I was enjoying that, give it back.”
Carlos’ laugh was rough but so full of mirth and sunshine, it had TK grinning as the man leaned back down to catch his lips.
“You can have it – but if we continue this, I’ll come down your throat or all over your face and that’s not how I want to right now.”
“Okay, you cannot say something as hot as that and then deny me,” TK pouted but still accepted another kiss from Carlos before the man looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
“What if I say that I would rather fuck you into my mattress?”
Instantly, TK scrambled to his feet. “Okay, convinced.”
Carlos’ laugh was loud and carefree and TK couldn’t help but pull him into another kiss, leaning back against the wall. Carlos’ hands were rough in the way they yanked away his boxer briefs and yet gentle in every touch. It was such a contradiction it had TK’s head spinning. Even more so when Carlos crowded him against the wall, their cocks brushing against each other, pulling mutual moans out of them.
“Your bed is way too far away,” TK groaned. “How about you take me against the wall?”
The noise that left Carlos was fierce and full of desire, the grip on TK’s hips no less possessive, no less fundamental to his being
“Maybe I will,” Carlos rumbled, low and seductive. “Would you like that?”
TK couldn’t answer as Carlos let his hand wander to TK’s ass, gripping a handful of his cheek, one of his long fingers slipping between the crack.
“Want me to open you up right here?”
His finger brushed over TK’s rim, pulling a guttural groan out of him.
“And then hoist you up?”
In the next second, his world was spinning, Carlos’ other hand grabbing his other ass cheek and indeed hoisting him up. All TK could do was to claw to Carlos’ strong shoulders and wrap his legs around his hips.
“Just like this?”
“Fuck,” TK groaned, letting his head drop against the wall. “Fuck, this is so fucking hot.”
“Yeah?” Carlos asked teasingly, moving his hips a bit – to better pin TK against the wall or to actually rub his dick against TK’s ass, he couldn’t tell. But it was indeed hot as fuck. “You like this?”
“How are you even real?” TK breathed out, finally looking back at Carlos. “Could you really hold me like this for a while?”
Carlos’ smirk said it all. “Certainly long enough to make you scream my name.”
TK threw himself against Carlos, claiming his lips and winding his arms around his neck. Carlos kissed him back just as fiercely. It distracted him so much that it took him a moment to realize that Carlos was actually walking. He was carrying TK like he weighed nothing and, alright, new kink certainly unlocked.
He mumbled a few swears into the kiss but before he knew it, his world suddenly shifted downwards. He had no time to panic, his back soon resting on soft sheets, Carlos still close, never breaking their kiss as he crawled over him.
“See, it wasn’t that far away,” Carlos murmured into his skin as he began kissing along his neck.
“Still wanna try that wall one day,” TK murmured back, moving his head to give Carlos better access and groaning half-delirious when he found a particularly sensitive spot. “Bet I can come from the thought of it alone.”
Carlos’ husky chuckle ghosted over his overheated and partly spit-wet skin, making him shiver. He loosened the grip of his legs around Carlos’ hips, sprawling them out instead so the man could lie between them more comfortably. Every little move was stimulation to his cock and TK knew that he wouldn’t last long with all these different sensations. It had simply been too long, even before he had moved to Texas.
It certainly had been too long since sex had any meaning to him, since it was more than just to satisfy his need. Or, even worse, just to satisfy his then-boyfriend’s needs.
The thought hit TK out of nowhere and it made him gasp as Carlos’ broad hand moved down the side of his body, as if mapping him out, as if he wanted to touch every part of him. For a moment, his head was swimming, the realization shocking in a way and so predictable in another. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been with his ex because he truly lusted over him, because he truly couldn’t keep his hands to him anymore. It had become routine, a means to an end.
Certainly the opposite of what this was right here and when Carlos caught his lips again in a kiss that was everything all at once – heated, gentle, full of lust and emotions, a way of worshiping and wrecking him at the same time – all thoughts of some meaningless figure from his past flew out the window. Alex who? Somehow, TK knew that someday that man would only enter his mind to be reminded of the biggest mistake he had to make in order to end up where he truly belonged.
And with who he truly belonged.
“Still alright with me fucking you into the mattress?” Carlos asked between kisses and in a way that TK knew one hundred percent that he could tell him no, even now, and Carlos would understand and stop immediately.
“Absolutely,” he whispered back, moving his pelvis so that their position slightly changed, their dicks brushing against each other in the process. “Though just so you know, I do love it both ways.”
He could feel Carlos smile into their kiss before pulling back to look down at him. “That’s good… because I’ve never tried it the other way around but I would love to one day.”
The confession spread warmth all along TK’s body, and for a moment, he pulled Carlos back down for a gentle and sweet kiss. When it ended, TK smiled up at him. “Looks like we have some plans for the future… but right now I would really love to just feel you inside of me.”
“Mhh, yes, that sounds pretty great.”
Instead of going for another kiss, Carlos leaned over to the bedside table, pulling a bottle of lube out of the drawer. TK had half a mind reaching for it to get himself ready – he was just so used to it after years in a relationship with a partner who didn’t like that part all that much – when Carlos simply tossed the bottle onto the bed somewhere close to TK’s hip and then leaned back in. It started with another deep kiss but Carlos quickly moved down and along his body, covering it in kisses and gentle strokes of his hands. He paid extra attention to his nipples when TK almost jolted from the bed at the first contact, only slowly moving on.
It was as if he was touching out every little part of TK’s body, drawing a map of his most responsive areas, of the sounds each little stimulation could pull out of him. TK had always been very loud and responsive in bed but Carlos seemed to know just how to amplify that.
“You know what’s a really good thing?” Carlos asked around the time his lips were finally really close to where TK wanted them most.
It took him a moment to register the question, his mind seemingly not even in the same room anymore. “Huh?” he asked eloquently – and regretted it instantly when Carlos leaned back up to look at him.
Though, seeing that smile made up for the torture he was currently going through.
“It’s good that I know for sure my neighbor won’t complain about all the noises I pull out of you.”
TK was ashamed to admit that it took him a full five seconds to make sense of that statement. When he finally got it, he rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the little laugh. “Shut up,” he said, as he playfully pushed Carlos’ head back towards his dick.
He could feel his breath ghost over the sensitive skin as Carlos laughed as well and TK was sure he was going to go crazy if Carlos teased him only a second longer. Thankfully, the man finally had mercy on him, his mouth feeling so hot on his cock. It became even better when he finally took him in his mouth, slowly working on taking him deeper and deeper. He moved his legs around and TK let him, too far gone to care about where his legs were.
He was so distracted, actually, that TK didn’t even hear the lube bottle snapping open. It wasn’t until Carlos’ slicked-up fingers touched his rim that TK was pulled back into the moment a little bit. Not for long though. Carlos was so gentle, so careful and thorough, TK soon felt himself floating again, drifting in a wonderful world of bliss and heat and the smell of sex. He didn’t even try to stay quiet anymore, somehow knowing that Carlos took joy in eliciting every single sound. So TK let go of old fears for the first time, of comments former partners had made, and simply allowed himself to be himself.
There was a one hundred percent chance that TK would come just from this if Carlos only kept going long enough. And it was certainly something TK added to their apparently ever-growing list of ways they wanted to find pleasure in each other. But for right now, he wanted something else.
So when he felt himself drawing closer and closer to the edge, he finally put a hand on Carlos’ shoulder and pushed ever so slightly. The man reacted instantly – just like TK knew he would – and pulled off and out of him.
“You okay?” he asked, voice even rougher than before.
“Yeah,” TK breathed back. “Just don’t wanna come before you’re inside of me.”
Carlos’ smile was like watching the sun break through the darkest clouds and TK couldn’t stop himself from pulling him down for another kiss. One that neither of them broke even when Carlos arranged himself above him, lifting his legs to hook one over his hip, the other one over his arm. TK’s hands were solely on Carlos’ face and on his neck, forcing himself not to rush the moment by grabbing Carlos’ ass and pulling him in. Instead, he spent a half-second regretting that Carlos hadn’t taken a shower right after shift so that his hair would be free of the product he always used. TK was used to seeing him like this but he really craved seeing him without it, seeing it loose and wild with the ability to run his fingers through it.
The thought left him the moment he could feel Carlos’ blunt dick against his entrance. He knew Carlos would be gentle with him and the man certainly didn’t disappoint, slowly pushing in, inch by inch, never stopping his kisses and the way one of his hands caressed TK’s thigh.
Still not rushing him, TK began to let his hands wander, from Carlos’ neck along his shoulder blades and down his spine, making the man shiver in response. It had them both smiling into the kiss. By the time TK reached the man’s perfect ass, Carlos had finally bottomed out, so all TK did was to hold him right there, preventing him from moving too soon. He wanted to enjoy this moment, if only for a few seconds.
After all, there was no reason for them to rush it.
“You have no idea how often I’ve dreamed of this,” Carlos whispered in between kisses. “How often I wanted to drag you away from a scene and devour you. Or march over to your apartment and hold you and cherish you the way you deserve.”
TK’s hands wandered back up, one resting on Carlos’ shoulder while the other cradled his cheek, his thumb brushing along Carlos’ soft skin as he looked him deep into his eyes.
“I might have an idea, if only because I feel the same.”
As they kissed again, Carlos finally began moving.
It was somewhat surreal, the way it had started all heated and rushed compared to how soft they were with each other now, gentle and tender. TK had half a mind to beg Carlos to fuck him in earnest – but he was enjoying this gentleness far too much. It made him feel cherished and taken care of.
It made him feel loved.
Even when the pace did pick back up; when Carlos broke the kiss in favor to lean back up and get a better leverage of driving into him; even then, there was a kind of warmth in his soulful eyes that told TK that he was safe here with him. That Carlos wouldn’t hurt him.
Unable not to touch him, he reached his hand up, letting his fingers wander over Carlos’ chest, down to his stomach, feeling the way his abdominal muscles moved with every thrust. He only took his hands away when Carlos changed the angle just slightly but enough to hit his prostate, rendering TK into a writhing mess. He needed something to cling to, and his hands found Carlos’ arms, digging his fingers in. Carlos leaned down again, kissing along TK’s neck as he dislodged one of TK’s hands from his arm and instead caught it in his own, pinning it down to the pillow as he laced their fingers together.
They were basically holding hands while Carlos fucked into him, slow and deep, and TK knew this was another level of intimacy.
And he wasn’t scared of it.
Instead, he let it happen, let the warmth wash over him, let it cover him the same way Carlos’ body covered his. Bringing one leg around the man’s hip, he shallowly tried to pull him closer, wanting to feel him even more. Carlos’ lips were still kissing along his neck but when TK moved his head, he thankfully took the hint, catching his lips instead, devouring him.
TK was so fucking close and when Carlos reached his free hand between them, TK was quick to catch his hand, holding him back. He knew he could come untouched and he wanted it so badly. Carlos seemed to understand but didn’t let go of TK’s hand, instead bringing it to their interlaced ones and making quick work of pinning them both down with just one of his large hands. Being so completely exposed like this and pinned down at the same time pulled a groan out of him – one that was answered by a wide grin on Carlos’ lips and a question in his eyes.
“Shut up,” TK murmured against his lips, no desire to discuss his kinks right now while he was seconds away from combusting.
Carlos’ rough chuckle was intoxicating and TK happily swallowed it down. Still, a moment later the man pulled away, one hand still holding both of TK’s over his head, the other one sneaking back under TK’s leg to lift it a bit more. It brought him impossibly deeper and TK was aching off the bed, ready to come any second now. He just needed… just a bit more.
“Fuck, you’re so beautiful,” Carlos groaned right above him before kissing up his neck again, catching TK’s earlobe between his teeth. He picked up his speed, murmuring praise into TK’s ear while kissing him right there – and that was all it took.
TK’s orgasm washed over him in waves, the silent shout stuck in his throat as he tried to catch his breath over and over again. Carlos didn’t stop and TK was glad, riding each wave of the feeling. Soon enough, Carlos stumbled in his smooth movements, his hips stuttering, and with one more thrust, TK could feel the warmth of his release fill him up. The thrusts became slower, much shallower, Carlos just riding it out.
TK kissed him through it until Carlos quite literally collapsed on him, burying his face in TK’s neck as they both caught their breath. TK’s hands came free and he used them to lazily brush along Carlos’ back, enjoying every little ripple of muscles underneath sweaty skin.
Just before he gave in fully to the slight post-orgasm daze, a thought flicked through his mind, and he couldn’t help a husky chuckle. “Yeah, definitely not a priest…”
Carlos’ reaction took a while – long enough for TK to wonder if it was due to his exhaustion or because he didn’t remember – but eventually, he heard his low chuckle and could feel uncoordinated kisses being pressed against his skin.
Tightening his hold around Carlos’ shoulder and his back, TK gave them both a while to just bask in their bliss.
He was drifting, enjoying the last rays of sunshine shining through Carlos’ window and the peaceful moment of relaxation. Not even when the come started itching on his skin did he move because he didn’t want to wake up from this dream-like state. Still, when Carlos slowly began to leave kisses along his neck for real, working his way back to his lips, TK didn’t complain.
“Wanna take a shower with me?” Carlos murmured against his lips, and TK nodded instantly.
They kissed like that for a while longer, neither of them moving even though they had a destination. When they were finally able to tear away from each other, they certainly didn’t stay far. Carlos got up, pulling TK along and over to the bathroom. They made out against the shower stall wall until the water was hot, then made out some more in between cleaning up until the water was cold again. It had them giggling like they were kids while they quickly dried up.
“So, uhm…” Carlos started as they walked back into the bedroom. “Are you… going to stay here or do you need to get home?”
“Uhm.” Well, that was a very good question. One that TK decided to work through rationally. “Well, I do need to wash my uniform…”
“So do I,” Carlos replied with a timid smile. “In case you would like to stay, consider it taken care of.”
“Okay,” TK replied with a similar smile, biting his lip. “What about dinner?”
“We could order in. Watch one of those movies you told me are a must-see.”
“So like… a date?”
Carlos’ eyes lit up for a moment before he visibly guarded his expression, stepping closer to TK and taking his hand. “Look, I get it if you’re not ready for that. I actually do remember our first conversation through the wall. So… we can label this as whatever you want or not at all. It can just be dinner between two neighbors.”
“Who just shared mindblowing sex and a long, long shower,” TK quipped, catching Carlos’ chin when the man looked down to the ground. “Hey,” he soothed, cupping Carlos’ cheek in the palm of his hand. “It’s sweet of you to say this but… I would really be thrilled to call it a date, okay? I’m sorry my question came out wrong.”
“You… you want this to be a date?”
TK thought about it for a second but soon found himself nodding. “Yeah. Actually, I think I do. I would love for our first date to be a relaxed night in, on your couch, a good movie playing, takeout containers around us, and me being able to snuggle up into your arms. Because that sounds absolutely perfect to me.”
Carlos studied his eyes for a long moment before TK could finally see his smile returning.
“Okay.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, absolutely.”
Giddy with joy, TK leaned in, pressing another kiss to Carlos’ lips.
They made quick work of getting dressed – TK enjoying the feeling of Carlos’ slightly too big sweatpants and APD shirt engulfing him fully – before Carlos grabbed both their uniforms to throw in the washer. Meanwhile, TK went over the takeout menus, calling the pizzeria around the corner after they made a decision. Together, they prepared the evening as if they had always done it that way, TK only leaving for his own apartment once to get his favorite drink and some popcorn for later. (“Seriously, Carlos? How can you live without any popcorn stored away?” – “Uhm, easily? And healthily?”)
Twenty minutes later, they were sitting on Carlos’ couch, enjoying their pizza, and watching the opening credits to a movie on TK’s Netflix account.
“Can I ask you something?”
TK looked over at Carlos, lifting one eyebrow. “Are you one of those people who talk during movies?”
“Would that be a mark against me?” Carlos quipped back, pulling a little chuckle out of TK.
“No,” he replied honestly, taking another slice. “But I might have to teach you better.”
He was glad to see Carlos smile at that because he could see the tension that had suddenly seeped into his shoulders. Pausing the movie, TK gave him his full attention.
“What’s up? You can ask me anything.”
“Did I imagine you avoiding me on calls? Or did that truly happen?”
TK took his time chewing the current bite before he finally swallowed and nodded. “You didn’t imagine that, I… yeah, I really was avoiding you.”
“Any specific reason why?”
Putting down the piece of pizza, TK turned toward Carlos. “I think you kinda guessed it earlier. In the beginning, I was still mending my broken heart and… I kinda took this one look at you and knew if I wasn’t careful, I would totally jump into something with you. And at that time, I wasn’t ready. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t have minded a hookup… but yeah… I had a feeling you weren’t the kind of guy I would easily forget afterward.”
That sweet little smile was back on Carlos’ lips, a mix of being touched and bashful. “And as time went on?”
“Honestly? The reason changed, yeah… because there was this other guy I was falling for. But I also knew I was weak for you – the officer I got to see on calls – so I was convinced the moment I got too close to you, you would speak to me and I would jump you and rip your clothes off. And I didn’t want that, because there was also my neighbor who I was slowly but surely catching feelings for.”
“I still can’t believe we went through the same torture,” Carlos said with an amused huff. “And for literally no reason at all.”
“I do think it’s kinda nice though, not gonna lie,” TK said, reaching for Carlos’ hand. Their fingers linked together naturally as if they’d done it for years. “I got to know you on a completely different level than I usually get to know a guy.”
“Same, yeah,” Carlos whispered his agreement.
“And on the other hand, I got to lust over this hot officer…”
“Says the smokin’ firefighter.”
They laughed together as they leaned in, brushing their lips together in a gentle kiss.
“You know,” Carlos murmured, “I had actually made a decision today. About that dilemma. I just couldn’t stand the morality crisis any longer.”
“Yeah?” TK asked, drawing back enough to be able to see Carlos’ face. “Which version won out? The smokin’ and very competent firefighter? Or the sobbing mess you had to help every other night and who has a duffle bag full of issues?” TK quipped, hoping the joking tone of his voice covered his slight insecurity.
Given the way Carlos frowned, he hadn’t succeeded.
“I don’t like when you talk about yourself like that,” he calmly admonished, his fingers rubbing gently and soothingly against TK’s neck. “My plan was definitely to ask my neighbor out first. This kind and gentle soul, whose laughter is intoxicating. Someone who knows all the weirdest facts about bees and has a big, caring heart.”
TK’s ears began to burn and he lowered his head, too touched by Carlos’ words to look at him. But Carlos wouldn’t let him shy away for long, lifting TK’s chin with his hand before he continued.
“TK, you have no idea how often I wanted to walk over to your apartment, how much I was yearning to hold you. And you know I have some baggage as well. So… yes, that version of you was my first choice. And if you had said no, I would’ve accepted that and would’ve tried to scrape up the courage to seek out your other version after the next call.”
TK spent a long time just staring at Carlos, trying to find the right words. In the end, he simply leaned in, catching Carlos’ lips in a deep kiss and almost crawling into his lap. When he pulled back, they were both breathless as TK finally admitted, “Your voice. That was the first thing I fell in love with. And then your kindness, and your heart. So… yes, I would’ve said yes if you had asked me. And if I hadn’t been so afraid, I would’ve already asked you out on a date myself.”
“And the cop version of me?”
TK brushed his fingers through Carlos’ hair, still damp from the shower but finally free of any product and TK took just a moment to enjoy the feeling while studying every detail of Carlos’ face. Finally, he gave him a timid smile.
“I’m currently thanking every lucky star in the universe that you’re the same person – because I love every version of you. But… my neighbor is the one I fell in love with, the hot cop is just an added bonus.”
In the next moment, he could feel Carlos’ hands grab his ass and thighs, hoisting him fully into his lap. The kiss they shared was loaded and full of emotion and so, so raw. They had just bared their souls to each other and in a way, that had been even more intimate than their sex about an hour ago. TK couldn’t remember the last time he had felt this close to another human being…
Their making out stayed as mostly just that, kissing, touching, exploring each other’s bodies; slowly, sensual. Getting to know each other on yet another level. Their mutual orgasms were simply a bonus, not the focal point – they were still sated enough from earlier not to be desperate or to rush it.
It wasn’t until a long while later – after they had cleaned up (again), after they had eaten their (cold) pizza, and after Carlos had (begrudgingly) prepared them a bowl of popcorn – that Carlos lay in TK’s arms, both of them sleepily watching the movie they’d started earlier. Carlos was playing with TK’s hand and it wasn’t until he lifted it up to his lips and pressed a kiss to the backside that TK realized where Carlos’ focus had been.
Even though he’d loved the unicorn band-aid, he had taken it off after the shower, the feeling of a soggy band-aid always terribly annoying in his eyes. Now, Carlos was caressing the faint scratches. TK watched him for a little while, pressing a kiss into Carlos’ curls before resting his chin there. He thought about asking him what he was thinking – but when Carlos simply linked their fingers and snuggled closer into TK’s chest while letting out a content sigh, TK had a very good inkling about what he’d been thinking.
Because who would’ve thought the most cliche firefighter rescue would be the little miracle needed to finally bring them here – exactly where they were meant to be…