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Published:
2020-06-26
Completed:
2020-12-24
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5,933
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3/3
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Eager, Young, and Starry-Eyed

Chapter 3

Notes:

Would you look at that? Five months later and I finally updated!! Hope everyone enjoys this final installment.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Slowly but surely, Carlos continues to make progress in his recovery. Some days are good, some could be better, but overall TK begins to see a shift in his boyfriend's mood that gives him hope that things are heading in the right direction.

 

Walking through the door after a long shift, his eyes settle on Carlos resting on the couch. TK is glad to see that he is taking it easy, as his doctor and physical therapist told him too.

 

“Hey,” Carlos smiles and greets him. “I was just about to turn on the game. It’s Cowboys and Eagles. Why don’t you come over and sit with me?”

 

“Oh, I, um,” TK shifts uncomfortably. Not that he wants to say “no” to Carlos, but the idea of sitting down and watching a football game is not exactly how he planned to spend his evening. However, with Carlos looking at him with those big brown eyes that TK can’t resist, he resigns. “Okay, sure.”

 

He takes a seat next to Carlos, as the other man turns on the game. Not even a few minutes in, he already finds himself bored and confused by what’s happening on the screen. Why do they keep stopping? Wait, who has the ball now? Why does Carlos keep yelling?

 

Absentmindedly he twirls the string of his hoodie with his fingers, trying his best to figure out the rules of a game that makes no sense. Every few minutes he checks his phone, just to see if anything new is happening on Twitter and to provide a break from thinking about what appears to be a never-ending game.

 

When the first quarter finally ends, Carlos turns to him. “Alright, what’s up?”

 

TK gives him a questioning look. Carlos seemed so invested in the game that TK finds it hard to believe the other man was even aware that TK was bored out of his mind. 

 

“I understand Cowboy’s probably aren’t your favorite team, but you don’t seem to have any interest in the game at all. Something on your mind?”

 

TK sighs. “No, it’s not that…”

 

“Then what?”

 

“I don’t like football, Carlos.”

 

At first Carlos looks confused, studying TK to process what he had just revealed. “Sorry, you seemed so excited to watch the police game, I guess I just assumed you liked the sport.”

 

“Yeah, that’s because you were playing,” TK tries not to laugh, thinking back to how much fun it was to see the man he loves running around on that field, all hot and sweaty. Before the day turned bad, that is. 

 

“Oh,” Carlos says, looking a little disappointed before he perks up again. “Would you rather watch something else?”

 

TK waves him off. “No, no, you watch your game. I need to take a shower and change anyway.”

 

“Yeah, okay,” he gets up from the couch, turning to Carlos before he leaves. “Let me know who wins though?”

 

Carlos laughs. “Do you even remember who’s playing?” 

 

“No,” TK smiles. “But if you care, I care.”

 

“Go take your shower,” Carlos replies, returning the smile and directing his attention back to the game.

 


 

“I was thinking about going back to work next week,” Carlos blurts out, breaking the comfortable silence they had fallen into during their dinner.

 

“Going back to work?”

 

“Yeah, I mean light duty. I probably wouldn’t even leave my desk.”

 

It shouldn’t surprise TK that Carlos is bringing this up. After all, it’s basically been his only priority after getting injured. Honestly, he’s touched that his boyfriend cares so much about the work he does but at the same time TK can’t help but wonder if it’s too soon. “Are you sure you’re up for that?” 

 

“I mean, physical therapy is going well,” Carlos replies while pushing his food around with his fork. It’s clear he has given this a lot of thought, but is still nervous about the idea. “My therapist said it would be okay and my captain said I could come back whenever I was ready.”

 

“Maybe you should take a little more time though,” TK says, not that he wants to hold Carlos back. But he also would rather make sure his boyfriend is fully healed before going back to work. He can see how this recovery has taken a toll on him and wouldn’t want to risk further injury if he jumps back too soon.

 

“TK, I’ve taken five months off. I think it’s been enough time.”

 

“Couldn’t you just wait until you’re a little farther along in your recovery?”

 

“I can’t be quarantined in this house forever, TK.”

 

Of course, Carlos has a point. “I know that, but I just don’t want you to push yourself too much.”

 

“Hey, I promise I won’t do that,” Carlos reaches across the table with a smile. “You really think I would do anything that would prolong my recovery any longer?”

 

TK sighs. 

 

“I will take it slow, okay? If it makes you feel better, I won’t even put in full days at first. And, I’ll still need a ride to and from since I’m not cleared to drive yet. So you will know for sure just how much time I’m putting in. How does that sound?”

 

TK nods. “Okay.”

 

“Okay,” Carlos repeats with a smile.

 


 

“Looking at your scans, you’ve come a long way from what we saw seven months ago,” the doctor says with a smile. 

 

TK turns to Carlos, waiting to see if the other man is going to say anything. Instead he just stares at the doctor, processing what was just said. They both knew this would be an important appointment, since it would determine just how far along Carlos was in his recovery. While he was excited when he returned to work on light desk duty a few weeks ago, he is now getting antsy just waiting to get back out into the world. 

 

At no indication that Carlos would reply, TK speaks up. “That sounds like good news?”

 

“It is. I don’t see any issues from the surgery. And from what I hear, you’ve made an incredible amount of progress in physical therapy.”

 

“Yeah,” Carlos says with a smile. “It was rough at first, but I think I’ve gained nearly full mobility back.”

 

It’s true, after some hard sessions and a few tears of discouragement, Carlos didn’t give up on his desire to get better and began to see a lot of improvement. It warmed TK’s heart every time he went to pick up Carlos and the other man had a smile on his face, eager to tell him all about what he accomplished that day. 

 

“Well with all that in mind, I am going to sign your papers declaring you fit for full duty,” the doctor says with a click of his pen, writing something down on the clipboard in his hands.

Carlos looks almost shocked. “Wait, really?”

 

“Unless you don’t think you're ready?” The doctor replies as he stops writing. 

 

“No, no, I definitely am!” Carlos backtracks, turning to TK with a smile. “I just can’t believe it’s happening.”

 

TK can’t help but return the smile, in addition to grabbing his hand and giving it a squeeze. It feels like it’s been so long since he’s seen his boyfriend this happy. “Hey, this is really good news.”

 

“Yeah,” he trails off, before turning his attention back to the doctor. “When would I be able to go back on duty?”

 

“Maybe as early as next week?”

 

“Okay,” Carlos nods, and repeats himself with a smile. “Okay!”

 


 

When Carlos enters the kitchen in his uniform, TK can’t help but grin from ear to ear. Sure, he’s been wearing it when he goes into the precinct for desk duty. But with today being his first official day back on full duty, there’s something different about it. And TK swear’s Carlos has never looked better in the uniform.

 

“Are you nervous?” TK asks, noticing the way the other man is fiddling with the buttons on his shirt.

 

“A little?” Carlos sighs, resting his chin in his palms. “I don’t know, I guess I’m more anxious.”

 

“That’s normal, it’s been awhile. Just don’t push yourself too much, okay?”

 

“I promise.”

 

“Good. I packed you lunch,” TK smiles, handing him the brown bag sitting on the counter. He knows it’s probably pretty cheesy but he wanted a personal way to wish Carlos ‘good luck.’ So he settled for getting up just a little bit earlier and making Carlos’ favorite ham and cheese sandwich, and sticking a little ‘I love you note’ inside the bag. 

 

“TK, you didn’t have to do that…”

 

“No, I know, but it’s your first day back and I wanted to do something special for you,” TK waves him off. “And besides, it’s healthier than whatever takeout you would be getting anyway.”

 

“Well maybe you could pack your own lunch and come eat with me today?” Carlos offers with a smile while grabbing his lunch bag. 

 

“I would love that,” TK returns the smile. 

 

“Then it’s a date,” Carlos whispers, leaning in close and placing a soft kiss on TK’s lips. “I’ll text you when I’m on my break then?”

 

“Yes. Please be safe?” 

 

“I will. I love you.”

 

“I love you too,” TK replies, watching Carlos as he walks out the door.

Notes:

Not making any promises but this probably won't be the last knee injury fic I write...

Notes:

Knee injuries are like... my whump guilty pleasure idk they are my fave thing to read so the fact that I finally indulged and let myself write one... I had a lot of fun.

Come talk to me about Carlos whump on tumblr: @officerrxyes

Comments and kudos make my day ❤️