Work Text:
As the policeman walked into the bar, he knew immediately something was wrong. He and his partner Lexi were called to break off a small barfight and although he asked the dispatcher, he was assured they didn’t need any backup.
That turned out to be the wrong call.
The fight, that according to the bartender started out as just a small disagreement between two locals, escalated too fast and now there were at least ten men screaming and throwing fists at each other.
It was too chaotic to make out any injuries, but Carlos nevertheless requested a medical unit to accompany the police backup. Apparently still unaware of the two police officers entering the bar, the men were still going at it. Even when him and Lexi tried to separate some of them - getting hit in the process – there were too many people who did not seem to stop anytime soon.
Finally they could hear sirens, and soon enough more police officers and a paramedic unit arrived at the bar. Carlos, currently cuffing a man’s hands behind his back, could barely make out his husband’s brown hair and his uniform, but he felt his mood instantly lighten up.
With the help of the backup, they gained back control over the situation and soon all of the men participating in the fight were either in cuffs, or restrained by the officers.
Carlos let out an exhausted breath, his eyes swiping over his arms. Although they definitely hurt, he could not make out any blood, just some spots that were probably going to bruise. His head was hurting quite a bit as well, but he brushed it off. Couldn‘t be that bad, right?
After scanning the –now relatively quiet- crowd, Carlos made his way over to TK, who was talking to one of the men whose knuckles were swollen and nose was bleeding.
He was still pretty talkative, judging by his mouth that was moving nonstop.
He was also smiling at TK, which sparked some jealousy in Carlos.
It was ridiculous, considering him and TK were happily married and they only had eyes for each other. But Carlos was aware of how attractive his husband was, and a little jealousy never hurt anyone.
The policeman came to a halt, admiring his husband at work. He knew the man was fantastic at his job as a paramedic, but Carlos was mesmerised by TK’s dedication and gentleness.
“Everything alright here?“ Carlos asked.
The sight of TK immediately recognising his voice and the smile that formed on his lips when he looked up from the patient sent jolts of happiness through Carlos‘ body.
Then the look on TK’s face changed, flashes of concern made their way into his eyes.
“OMG, Carlos. You’re bleeding!“
That must be the reason his head hurt. Without a warning, Carlos started to feel dizzy and before he could sit down, he blacked out.
„Omg help“
„What happened?“
“Is he okay?“
Carlos groaned. He didn’t know where he was and there were too many voices he couldn’t quite make out.
“Hey, Carlos, baby, wake up“
TK. He knew that voice. Not being able to deny his husband any wish, he slowly opened his eyes.
He regretted it immediately, it was way too blinding and uncomfortable.
There were people staring at him from above, which struck him as weird.
Was he laying on the ground?
Judging by the cold, hardwood floor, yes.
Why was he on the ground?
“Baby, do you remember what happened?“ TK asked and the memories crept back into place. The barfight, trying to control the situation, being hit practically everywhere.
“Mhm.“ He managed to get out.
“Can you tell me your name and where you are to rule out a concussion?“
“‘m officer Carlos Reyes-Strand and as long as I’m staring in the eyes of my husband, I don’t care where I am.“
There were loud ‘awwws‘ from the people around him, and he was sure to see a glint of amusement in TK’s concerned eyes.
“Can you sit up for me?“
“I would do anything for you. I would eve feed Lou 2 live crickets for you.“
That earned him another chuckle from the ‘audience‘.
“Sitting up would be enough for now, but we’ll come back to the lizard thing later.“
With some help he managed to sit up, where his husband started caressing his face and putting a wet washcloth on his wound that appeared to be right above his left eye.
When it stopped bleeding he was taken to the ambulance where TK insisted to take him to the hospital for a checkup in case the injury was worse than he thought.
“Thank you for taking care of me, Tyler.“
“Always.“