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There were things about TK that constantly surprised Carlos. The first was, despite the fact that TK was a horrible cook, he was an incredible baker. The second, was how much of a bookworm the other male was, always having his headphones in for an audiobook, or leaving novels in random places around his house. But the most surprising thing to Carlos, which shouldn’t have been, was that TK was an amazing athlete. To be more specific, a baseball player.
Sure, because of the return of his boyfriends asthma, he was worried about the others rigorous fitness routine, his late night runs to be more precise. But TK seemed to take the change in pace with ease, trading half of his runs for spin classes, and joining a local softball league once spring had hit.
So when the annual charity softball game between the APD and AFD was announced, TK was the first to sign up, despite Carlos’ worry.
“You signed up? Are you sure? We just finally got your lungs under control, are you sure you should be running around on a dusty baseball diamond?” Carlos asked as he leaned over to kiss TK on his forehead, wary of the lizard Lou, who TK was cuddling against his chest.
“Babe, I’m positive. The doctor said that the more I get into a regular cardio routine, the stronger my lungs will be and hopefully these attacks will taper off. Plus, I wanna see you run in baseball pants,” TK teased with a smirk as he gently pet Lou.
“But what about the extra pollen lately, and as I previously mentioned, the dust? And who said I was playing? Those guys play dirty,” Carlos said with a raised eyebrow as he looked pointedly at his boyfriend, who had been popping allergy pills round the clock with the recently blooming dogwood trees.
“I’ll take an extra strength allergy pill, AND I’ll take a breathing treatment before the game. Both should keep my lungs relatively open and happy. Plus, I’ll have my inhaler with me. Now, what can I do to convince you to play?” TK asked with a grin as he reached out to caress Carlos’ chest, cradling Lou close to his own so he didn’t drop the pet.
“I trust you, but you have to promise that you will tell Judd, Tommy or I if you are having even the slightest trouble breathing, okay?” Carlos whispered, smiling at the hand on his chest before he nodded pointedly at Lou. “He has to be securely in his enclosure though,” he said bluntly, having bought a newer sturdier tank after the lizard escaped from its previous home.”
“Fine, but after I do, I want an intense cardio session with you,” TK grinned, pressing a kiss to Carlos’ lips before he got up, placing Lou in the tank before making sure it was latched shut.
“Now, bedroom?” TK asked as he walked back to Carlos, moving his legs to either side of Carlos’ hips as he sat on his boyfriend's lap. “Or here?”
Two weeks later, the morning of the softball game, TK was lounging on the couch, nebulizer mouthpiece between his teeth as he took a treatment while Carlos moved around the kitchen making coffee and omelets.
Carlos kept glancing nervously at TK from the kitchen even though he new it was a preventative treatment to keep his boyfriend from having an asthma attack. However, he still had a gut feeling that something was going to happen even if TK was smiling through his treatment.
Hearing the nebulizer click off, Carlos held out TK’s coffee to him along with an allergy pill, pressing a kiss to his boyfriend’s forehead.
“How are you feeling this morning? I know you slept pretty soundly last night,” Carlos teased with a smile as TK swallowed the allergy pill with a small wince.
“Pretty good, my sinuses were a little stuffy this morning, but I think the allergy meds should help. You’re helicoptering babe. I’m fine,” TK said softly as he pressed a kiss to Carlos’ lips softly.
“And I’ve seen you struggling to breathe enough where I know that you’re full of shit,” Carlos stated with a smirk. “I’m taking your spare with me and I told Judd to have your stuff on standby.”
TK’s mouth dropped open with a huff at Carlos’ words before he sighed and started to eat his breakfast before he turned to Carlos. “So this means you’re playing, right?”
“That’s still all you care about? Yes, I’m playing. They conned me into being the catcher,” Carlos sighed as he ate his own breakfast, watching TK’s eyebrows raise as he broke into a grin.
“So I get to see all of this,” TK paused, motioning to Carlos’ body, with an emphasis on his lower half, “In baseball pants? Yes!”
“Oh, so all you cared about was seeing me in a uniform? You already see me in one,” Carlos rolled his eyes at TK’s antics, though he was flattered that his boyfriend wanted to see him in the APD softball uniform. “You’ve seen me in workout clothes too, what exactly is the difference?”
“The difference babe, is that baseball pants are very form-fitting, and if you are the catcher, that means I get to stare at one of my many favorite parts of you,” TK teased as he leaned across the island to kiss Carlos again.
“Oh, so you only care about my body? I see,” Carlos laughed before he returned the kiss.
“Not just your body, but also your extremely beautiful and kind heart. Now, go get dressed so we can head to the field,” TK grinned, already dressed in his jersey and joggers, as he finished his breakfast.
When they reached the softball field, Carlos got out of the drivers seat and took what he thought was his backpack from TK, who was carrying their identical bags.
“See you when we’re up to kick your butt,” TK grinned as he pressed a kiss to Carlos’ lips before he headed off to the dugout where Judd and Tommy were.
“Damn kid, I’m not into men, but your boy sure makes that uniform look official,” Judd said with a low whistle and raise of his eyebrows at how well Carlos filled out his uniform.
“I know, and he’s all mine,” TK grinned triumphantly as he sat his backpack down under the bench and set his glove down, moving to stretch his arms before he looked over at Tommy.
“Don’t worry, I took allergy meds and a treatment, I should be fine until the end of the game,” he reminded her as she gave him a pointed look as if to ask him how he was feeling.
“I didn’t ask, but it’s good to know, do you have your inhaler and portable neb in there?” Tommy asked with a nod to TK’s bag, which didn’t look as full as it should be if he had said medical equipment available.
“Yup, it’s all there. Now, can we go warm up? Please?” TK asked hopefully as he picked up his glove off the bench before he followed Judd to the field.
TK made it until the second to last inning before he started to wheeze, and it wasn’t from the dirt and dust of the field, it was the dirt and dust that was stuck in his hair after his last home run.
Brushing off his jersey, he turned to cough when he inhaled a small bit, bringing a hand up to his chest to rub at the sudden tightness that appeared.
“Judd. Inhaler,” TK rasped out with a nod to the black backpack sitting next to his water bottle, letting Nancy ease him down onto the bench with a wince.
“It’s not in here, kid. Are you sure you packed it?” Judd asked as he dug through the bag, coming up empty-handed except for a few protein bars and an APD hoodie that said Reyes on the back.
“That’s Carlos’ bag, he took my inhaler out when he washed it,” TK wheezed, glancing up to see that Carlos had taken off his catcher’s mask and was making his way to their bench despite protests from the umpire.
“Nancy, go grab TK’s bag from the other bag, his inhaler is in the front zippered pocket, but bring the whole bag, just in case he needs a treatment,” Carlos said as he crouched down in front of TK, perfectly imitating his catcher’s stance.
“Just breathe, okay? Nancy’s on her way back. You’re gonna be just fine,” Carlos soothed as he ran his fingers through TK’s hair, glad that his boyfriend didn’t sound as bad as he’d heard him in the past. Looking up as Nancy handed him the inhaler, Carlos shook it up before handing it over to TK.
“Slow breaths Ty. You know the drill,” Carlos smiled, watching TK take the dose of medication before he let out the breath in a shaky sigh.
“Thanks, babe. I think I’m good now, get back to the game, you’re losing,” TK laughed, voice slightly raspy from his attack before he leaned in for a kiss.
“Seriously? Your lungs decide to mutiny, and you’re worried about winning? You need to work on your priorities,” Carlos rolled his eyes as he stood up.
“I wanna win,” TK shrugged with a smirk before he took another puff from his inhaler. “I should be fine by my next at-bat, now go,” TK urged Carlos, smiling as his boyfriend rolled his eyes.
“Fine, but I’m not letting you guys win,” Carlos stated as he walked back to home plate, winking at TK as he slid his catcher’s mask back on and crouched down, game-ready once more.