Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The sun hangs like a brilliant pearl in the late morning sky, its rays spilling across the sprawling landscape, wrapping everything in a warm, golden glow. TK drives them down the winding dirt road leading to the ranch, one hand relaxed on the wheel. He adjusts his sunglasses, nudging them back up the bridge of his nose before draping his arm out the open window. The air that rushes in is fresh, carrying the faint, earthy scent of dust and grass.

Beside him, Carlos sits quietly in the passenger seat, his attention fixed on the blur of oaks lining the road. He leans forward slightly, neck craning as if trying to see past the thick brush and tree lines, searching for that first glimpse of the ranch he knows lies just beyond the woods—where Harvey is waiting. His fingers tap a soft, restless rhythm against his thigh, a movement so subtle it lives only at the edges of TK’s awareness.

Switching hands on the wheel, TK reaches over and takes Carlos' hand in his. He brings it to his lips, pressing a light kiss to its back before giving it a firm, comforting squeeze. Carlos turns toward him, offering a small, tight smile before his gaze is pulled back to the trees. He’s been wound tight all morning—through the packing, the quiet miles on the highway—like he’s mentally rehearsing every possible way this could go wrong. TK can feel the faint, rapid beat of Carlos' pulse where their hands are joined. After all, today is the day Jonah meets Harvey.

“Papa Carlos?” Jonah’s small voice pipes up from the backseat. TK looks at him through the rearview mirror; he’s also focused on the trees outside the window, his little feet swinging, thumping Carlos' seat like a woodpecker with a grudge.

“Yes, mijo?”

“Is Harvey as big as our car?” he asks, brushing his bangs out of his eyes. His kicking slows just enough to suggest he’s actually waiting for an answer.

Carlos shifts in his seat, his thumb stroking the back of TK’s hand. “No, not quite. But he’s a big horse, strong too.”

“Stronger than you?”

“Definitely stronger than me,” Carlos says, a soft laugh escaping him.

Jonah leans so far forward his seatbelt clicks taut, lips parted. “Papa-bro?”

TK meets his eyes in the mirror. “Yeah, buddy?”

“Is Harvey stronger than you, too?”

TK chuckles, giving one final squeeze to Carlos’ hand before letting it go. “Oh yeah. Way stronger.”

Jonah lets out a breathy, impressed “whoa,” before turning his attention back to the world blurring past his window.

A few seconds of comfortable silence pass before his voice chirps up again. “Horses sleep standing up.”

Carlos hums in agreement. “Yes, they do.”

“Is it ’cause they stand vigil against predators?”

TK raises an eyebrow. “What was that, bud?”

“Like meerkats,” Jonah explains, as if it’s the most natural comparison in the world. “Meerkats stand on their hind legs to watch for danger. Do horses do that too?”

Carlos shares an amused glance with TK before turning slightly in his seat to better address Jonah. “Well, kind of. Horses sleep standing up so they can run quickly if there’s trouble. But they don’t take turns keeping watch like meerkats do.”

“Oh,” Jonah says, processing this. A soft, thoughtful pause follows. “So they’re always ready to run.”

TK grins, catching Carlos' eye again. “Exactly. Just like your Papa Carlos, when he sees a spider.”

Carlos swats his arm. “Keep it up, and you’re sleeping in the barn with Harvey.”

The curve of the road finally straightens, and the dense wall of trees and brush fractures, then falls away completely. The world opens up, vast and sun-drenched, and the ranch unfolds before them.

It’s a wide, emerald sea of a pasture, lush and impeccably kept, bordered by a crisp white rail fence that gleams in the high sun. A handful of cows lift their heads from grazing to watch the car’s approach with curious eyes.

“Cows!” Jonah squeals from the backseat, his feet resuming kicking a frenetic, joyful rhythm against Carlos' seat, a drumbeat of pure excitement that makes TK’s smile widen.

Beyond the pasture, the heart of the ranch announces itself. A large, classic red barn stands proudly against the blue sky, its silo a silent sentinel beside it. For a moment, TK wonders if Harvey can sense their approach, if he can feel the way Carlos is practically vibrating beside him.

TK drives the car down the final stretch of the dirt road, the world outside now a symphony: the low, resonant moos of the cattle, the gentle clank of their bells. They all mingle with the hum of their engine, Jonah’s squeals, and the increasingly nervous tap-tap of Carlos' foot.

And then, the farmhouse comes into view. It’s a welcoming, two-story structure with a wide, wraparound porch begging for a rocking chair. A collection of wind chimes hangs from the eaves, twinkling a soft, melodic greeting in the breeze.

“There’s a lake!” Jonah points out, his voice hushed with awe as he spots the mirror of water to the right. The grass around it is tall and swaying, a secret world hiding frogs, geese, and countless other adventures.

“We’re here,” TK murmurs, the words spoken softly, meant for Carlos alone.

Carlos turns to him. His eyes are shining, liquid and warm, and he offers TK a smile so wide and genuine it seems to light him from within, a perfect mirror of a heart that’s about to burst from his chest.

TK hoists their duffel bags out of the trunk, setting them on the gravel and squinting against the sun—looking for his husband. Carlos was out of the car almost before it was fully stopped, a man on a mission. “I’ll go get the keys from Earl,” he had said, quickly striding toward the farmhouse.

A small hand tugs at his jeans. “TK! Can we go see the cows?” Jonah asks, pointing a finger toward the distant pasture. “And the lake! I saw a bird!” He stops, frowning and looking around. “But where’s Harvey? Can we go find him?”

TK smiles, swinging a bag over his shoulder. “Slow down, buddy. Mission one: cabin. We drop the bags. Mission two: sandwiches.”

Jonah’s face crumbles into a pout. “But the cabin is boring!” He freezes. “Shhh,” he whispers conspiratorially. “Look! A ducky.” TK follows his gaze to what is very clearly not a duck in the tall grass.

“That’s a goose, Jojo.”

“A goose,” Jonah echoes, as if filing away this vital info. He takes a step toward it.

“Jonah. Cabin first,” TK says, walking toward the cabins tucked off to the side of the main house. He trusts Jonah will follow.

He does, but it’s a dramatic, trudging follow, with little kicks sent at innocent pebbles. “I’m not hungry,” he mumbles, right as his stomach grumbles.

“No meeting Harvey on an empty stomach,” TK reasons, stopping to wait for him. “He might mistake that rumbling for a growling bear. You know horses love bear meat.”

Jonah giggles, and the trudging becomes a less tragic walk. “Horses don’t eat bears.”

“Harvey might. He’s part dinosaur.”

Jonah’s eyes go wide. “Really?”

“We’ll have to ask Papa Carlos. He’s the expert.” TK stops in front of cabin three, its number carved into a rustic piece of wood. He sets the bags down on the small porch step just as Carlos appears, jingling a key triumphantly in his hand.

Carlos fits the key into the lock and opens the cabin door to reveal a cozy, sunlit space that smells faintly of pine and lemon. It’s small, simple, and perfect: a main room with a kitchenette, a door to the bedroom, and another, smaller room down a narrow hall from the main space. It’s all lit up by a large window framing the porch and the ranch beyond.

"Home sweet home for the weekend," Carlos says, his lips pressing softly against TK’s cheek.

While Carlos settles them in—lining up their shoes and unpacking clothes into the small dresser—TK turns to the kitchenette and places the cooler bag on the counter.

“Alright, buddy!” TK calls out, unzipping the bag. “PB and J? Turkey and cheese? What does my little man want?”

From the porch, Jonah’s voice floats through the door. TK can barely see him sitting at the small wooden table, chin propped in his hands as he stares out at the ranch. “Turkey! No crusts!” A beat of silence. “Please.”

“Coming right up,” TK says. He starts assembling the sandwiches—no crusts for Jonah, extra cheese for Carlos.

He hears Carlos moving behind him—the soft rustle of clothes, the slide of a drawer—and then his husband’s body presses against him from behind. Carlos' arms wrap around TK’s waist, his chin resting on his shoulder. TK can feel the steady thump of Carlos' heart against his back.

“Nervous?” TK asks softly. He knows the answer, but he offers the opening anyway.

Carlos just hums, the sound vibrating through TK. “A little.”

“Carlos?” Jonah calls, voice thoughtful.

With a final, quick kiss to TK’s neck and a reassuring squeeze to his hip, Carlos disentangles himself and goes outside. “Yes, mijo?”

Jonah doesn’t turn, his gaze fixed on the pasture. “Will Harvey like me?” he asks, his voice so tiny it makes TK’s chest ache. He keeps his hands busy with the sandwiches, letting Carlos handle it.

He watches Carlos pull out a chair and sit, angling his body fully toward Jonah. “Hey,” Carlos says, his voice dropping into that gentle, sure tone he uses for big conversations. He waits until Jonah finally turns to look at him. “Harvey is going to love you.” His voice is firm, leaving no room for doubt. “How could he not? You’re kind, adventurous, and you have the best questions. He’s going to think you’re the most interesting boy he’s ever met—way more interesting than me.”

A tiny smile touches Jonah’s lips. “Really?”

“Really,” Carlos confirms. His gaze flicks up, meeting TK’s through the window for a heartbeat. TK quickly looks down, a smile playing on his lips, though he doesn’t stop listening.

“And between you and me,” Carlos continues, leaning in conspiratorially. “Harvey is a little nervous, too.”

“A horse can be nervous?”

“Oh, absolutely.” Carlos nods seriously. “He knows he’s meeting someone very important today. So we’ll have to be extra gentle and take it slow, okay? Your papás will be right there with you the whole time.”

Jonah nods, his little shoulders squaring with newfound purpose. “Okay.”

With the last sandwich wrapped in a napkin, TK grabs the juice boxes and pushes the screen door open. “Lunch is served,” he announces, leaning down to press a kiss into Carlos' dark curls as he sets the meal on the table.

They eat in the dappled shade. Jonah devours his turkey sandwich with a single-minded focus that TK is only used to seeing during Saturday morning cartoons. He chatters between bites, his thoughts a runaway train—it’s not really talking; it’s more like a monologue that jumps from cows to the wind chimes to the theoretical strength of a dinosaur versus a horse.

Carlos eats more slowly. TK watches him, his eyes catching the subtle, anxious bounce of Carlos' knee under the table. TK reaches over and places his hand on Carlos' leg, stilling the nervous rhythm. He earns a grateful, though slightly abashed, smile.

“Okay,” Carlos says, balling up his napkin once he’s done. “You ready, Jonah?”

Jonah nods, his expression suddenly solemn. He slides off his chair and stands up straight, his gaze wandering toward the barn as if answering a call. “I’m ready.”

Carlos moves slowly through the barn. The scent of hay, leather, and earth wraps around him, his footsteps muffled on the dirt floor. His heart hammers against his ribs, a tight coil of anticipation and nervousness twisting in his gut. It’s silly, he tells himself. It’s Harvey. It’s Jonah. Only it is important—his past and his future colliding here.

He hears the soft, familiar blow—a quiet huff of air—before he sees him. Maybe it’s silly, but Carlos would know that sound anywhere. In the deep shadows of the stall, a shape resolves: Harvey, magnificent as always. It feels like both a lifetime and only a day since Carlos last stood here with him, and never as often as he would have liked.

Harvey’s eyes lock onto him the moment he approaches. “Hey, handsome,” Carlos breathes out. He stops a few feet from the stall door, his body still, and holds out his hand, palm flat and open. “Missed me?”

Harvey takes a step forward, his head dipping as he stretches his neck out, muzzle twitching as he sniffs Carlos' hand for just a moment. He lets out a deep, rumbling sigh and pushes his head into Carlos' palm, his eyes closing briefly—a trust and recognition that never fails to make Carlos' heart jolt.

Carlos' hand slides up, stroking the strong curve of Harvey’s neck, feeling the firm muscles play beneath the smooth, warm hide. “Today is a big day,” he murmurs, his voice gaining strength. “Jonah’s a little nervous, but I know you’ll be great with him.”

Harvey shifts his weight, his head dipping lower to nudge insistently at Carlos' shoulder, asking for more. A low chuckle escapes Carlos. “I’m so lucky to have you.” He leans into the horse, pressing his cheek against the solid warmth of Harvey’s neck. It’s a little awkward over the stall door, but the feeling is perfect—especially when Harvey leans his weight back, offering a steady, comforting pressure against him.

They emerge from the barn, Harvey’s hooves clapping softly on the packed earth. Jonah waits next to TK, and to his small frame, Harvey must seem like a giant. He shifts behind TK’s legs, his earlier bravado gone, his little hand gripping the faded denim of TK’s jeans. His wide eyes are fixed upward, tracing the immense, gentle shape of the horse.

“It’s okay,” Carlos soothes, his heart flip-flopping in his chest. “He’s very gentle, see?” He strokes the strong curve of Harvey’s neck, and the horse lets out a low, rumbling nicker. “He’s saying hello.”

TK kneels, bringing himself to Jonah’s level, and wraps a steadying arm around his small shoulders. “Do you want to say hello to Harvey?”

Jonah gives a tiny nod.

TK gives Jonah a little nudge forward. “Go on. Papa’s got you.”

Jonah takes one tentative step, then another. He freezes, his wide eyes darting from the horse to Carlos.

Carlos crouches down. He gathers Jonah into his arms, lifting him up to Harvey’s eye-level. Jonah holds on tightly, his little heart thumping a rapid rhythm against Carlos' chest. But his gaze remains fixed on Harvey, filled with a mixture of awe and dawning courage.

“You want to pet him? Right here, on his nose. It’s super soft, just like the ponies at the fair.”

Jonah nods, his breath catching.

“Okay. We’ll go slowly, okay? Let him sniff you first.” Carlos encloses Jonah’s small hand in his own, guiding it toward Harvey’s muzzle from the side. Harvey stands perfectly still, his ears flicking with interest, his warm breath puffing softly against their skin.

Jonah’s fingertips make contact. He gasps, a look of pure wonder transforming his face as he looks up at Carlos. “It’s like a peach,!” he whispers.

Carlos laughs, the sound thick with emotion as he blinks back the happy tears building behind his eyes. “It is!” He keeps his hand firm over Jonah’s, guiding it in one soft, slow stroke.

“Hello, Harvey,” Jonah says, his voice solemn and formal. “I’m Jonah.” He pauses. “I’m not a bear.”

In response, Harvey lowers his head a little, sniffing at Jonah’s shirt. He gives a soft snort that sends Jonah into a fit of giggles.

“He likes me!” Jonah squeals, and Carlos releases his hand, letting him pet Harvey on his own—his little fingers moving with careful, instinctive gentleness.

Carlos looks back at TK, who stands right behind them, a silent pillar of support. Shining eyes meet shining eyes, and Carlos' heart feels too full for his chest. He presses a soft kiss to Jonah’s sun-warmed head, sealing the perfect moment.

After a minute, Carlos slowly lowers Jonah back to the ground. Jonah immediately turns and runs to TK, wrapping his arms around TK’s legs. “Did you see? He’s so soft! And he didn’t eat me!”

TK ruffles Jonah’s hair. “He sure didn’t. You’re his friend now!” He scoops Jonah up, settling him on his hip. Then, he locks eyes with Carlos, a soft smile playing on his lips. “You wanna take him for a ride? Stretch his legs?”

Carlos looks at Harvey, then back at TK and Jonah. “I—I don’t wanna leave you two alone.”

TK waves him off. “Harvey deserves to have some fun.” Carlos can read between the lines—he’s saying it’s okay for Carlos to want this. “Jonah and I are gonna explore a little, right buddy?”

“Yes! Mission three: exploration,” he announces with a serious nod.

“Okay then,” Carlos says, giving Harvey a firm pat.

After a quick stop to get Harvey’s saddle and a final check of the girth, Carlos gathers the reins and puts a foot in the stirrup. In one fluid motion, he swings up into the saddle. Harvey shifts slightly beneath him, ears twitching forward with readiness.

“Okay you two,” Carlos says, looking down at his husband and a wide-eyed Jonah. “We’re gonna do a few laps. Try not to start a war with the geese.”

“We won’t!” Jonah calls, already bouncing on the balls of his feet. “Go, Papa Carlos, go!”

Carlos nudges Harvey gently, and the horse breaks into a smooth walk. TK and Jonah walk alongside them for a little while, and Carlos feels taller than he usually does in the saddle; he can’t help the smile that spreads across his face and wonders, for a moment, if TK can see the sheer light of his heart shining through. He sees TK taking out his phone—a picture, or a video, Carlos isn't sure, but he is profoundly grateful to have this moment captured.

As Harvey transitions into a gentle trot and the air starts to glide over them, a wave of peace washes over Carlos. The steady rhythm of Harvey’s gait soothes his nerves. The sun warms his back, and the familiar hum of the ranch—the distant lowing of cattle, the rustle of tall grass—creates a comforting symphony.

He glances back at TK and Jonah. Their son is already pulling TK toward the tall grass near the pond, and Carlos chuckles. “Looks like a geese war is imminent after all,” he tells Harvey.

He gently nudges Harvey into a canter, feeling the powerful yet controlled surge of the horse beneath him. The wind carries the rich scents of earth and wild grass, and the sun gilds everything it touches: the blossoms sprinkling the pasture edges, the leaves shimmering on the trees, and Harvey’s own mane, which glints with every stride.

He turns Harvey slightly, guiding him around the perimeter of the ranch like he’s done so many times before. The open field beckons, and Carlos eases him into a smooth, stretching gallop. The wind whips through his hair, blue sky and green earth swirl together, the world blurs past in a thunder of hooves and the wild pounding of his heart—it’s a moment of pure joy, of belonging to a world he once thought he might never fully claim. And with every driving stride of Harvey’s hooves, Carlos' heart pulses in answer, filled to overflowing with TK and Jonah, the very heartbeat of his world.

From his vantage point on Harvey, Carlos spots them: a tiny, determined figure marching toward the pond, with TK—a patient, loving shadow—just a few steps behind. The distance muffles their words, but their bodies tell the story clearly: TK’s hand is extended in a gentle plea for caution, while Jonah’s eager steps soften into a cautious tiptoe.

A smile dances on Carlos' lips as he brings Harvey to a silent halt. He is content to simply watch.

Jonah stops at the water’s edge. A small arm extends, pointing. TK nods in encouragement. Then, the boy begins to flap. Not a timid, bird-like motion, but great, enthusiastic, wind-milling flaps, a tiny human engine attempting to achieve flight through sheer force of will.

For a suspended moment, nothing happens. The geese on the water regard the small, flapping creature with what Carlos can only interpret as regal disdain.

Then, one gander, larger and prouder than the rest, lets out a single, indignant honk. The sound carries perfectly across the field—a sharp trumpet of outrage.

The honk is a declaration of war.

The placid pond erupts. Two more geese launch from the water, powerful wings beating the surface into a fury of spray, their furious honks creating a dissonant chorus of attack.

Jonah’s brave flapping ceases instantly. He freezes, his little body snapping rigid with the shock of the feathered army suddenly advancing on him.

He spins on his heel and bolts, legs pumping. “PAPA-BRO!” he shrieks, a sound of pure, high-pitched terror.

TK is already in motion. He lunges forward, scooping up Jonah mid-stride and tucking the boy securely against his chest.

Carlos laughs, stroking Harvey. “Looks like Jonah the Invader was defeated by—” He stops, noticing the full scope of the assault. The geese from the pond advance in a pincer movement, but it’s the second wave that seals their fate. From the tall grass flanking the path, two more geese—hidden sentries—erupt with angry honks, cutting off the retreat.

“They’re herding you!” Carlos yells, nudging Harvey forward. He is too far to help physically, but he can be the tactical command center. “To your left! Left!”

TK, with Jonah clinging to him like a koala, veers sharply left just as the grass-geese charge. He runs with an agility that would be impressive if the situation weren’t so absurd.

“The cabin!” Carlos shouts, pointing toward their small, safe-looking refuge. “Go, go, go!”

TK makes a break for it, a honking, feathered mob at his heels. He fumbles with the cabin door, yanks it open, and dives inside with Jonah, slamming it shut just as the lead goose reaches the porch step, skidding to an indignant halt.

A moment later, the porch window slides open just a crack. TK’s face appears, flushed and laughing. “We’re okay!” he calls out. “Under siege! Jonah requires cavalry support!”

Jonah’s face appears below his, eyes wide with a mixture of fear and exhilaration. “Papa Carlos! Harvey!”

Carlos brings Harvey to a stop at a respectful distance from the cabin. The gang of geese turns its collective, offended gaze toward them. Carlos dismounts, head held high, puffing his chest a little—partly to show bravery for Jonah, partly to steel his own nerves—as he holds the avian stares.

“Shoo!” he commands, clapping his hands sharply. The sound is swallowed by the afternoon air. Nothing happens.

A bead of sweat trickles down his spine; he swears the geese’s gazes glint dangerously.

A loud neigh erupts from Harvey. The horse stomps a heavy hoof on the ground twice, and that seals the deal.

With a last half-hearted honk, the geese waddle back toward their pond — they’ve made their point. Carlos feels a jolt of pride as he strides forward, his family defended—mostly thanks to Harvey.

The cabin door creaks open, and TK emerges, a giggling Jonah rushing past him. “They chased us!” Jonah squeals, pointing a finger at the retreating army. “They were so fast!”

Carlos scoops Jonah up into his arms. “You have to be careful, mijo. A goose is like a grumpy old man.”

“Like Uncle Judd?”

TK’s laughter rises, clear and bright in the air. “Yes, Jojo. Exactly like Uncle Judd.”

Jonah’s eyes, wide with the thrill of the recent goose war, fix on Harvey. “I want to ride him,” he announces. “Like you did.”

Carlos' heart gives a nervous flutter. He looks at TK, who is still breathless and beaming, and receives an encouraging nod. He looks back at Jonah. “Yeah?”

“Yes!”

“Okay, mijo. But we do it my way, okay? No running, just walking, nice and slow, back to the barn.” He turns to TK. “And you’re gonna have to hold on very tight to Papa-bro, okay?”

Jonah nods so vigorously that his entire body shakes.

TK steps closer, his voice dropping to a low, warm murmur meant only for Carlos. “Why don’t you ride with him?”

Carlos smiles, glancing back at the patient Harvey for a moment. “I… I want to see you two up there,” he admits.

TK presses a quick kiss to his cheek, one that makes Carlos hum instinctively. Then TK grins, that beautiful grin that makes Carlos’ stomach flip. “Okay.”

He steps forward, placing a steadying hand on Carlos' shoulder as he puts his foot in the stirrup and swings up into the saddle. He settles in, adjusting his seat. “Still warm from your butt,” he declares with a wink.

Carlos shakes his head, a laugh caught in his throat as Jonah giggles. Then he lifts Jonah up, and TK leans down, taking hold of him. He settles Jonah safely in front of him on the saddle, pulling him back snugly against his chest.

“Whoa,” Jonah breathes out, his little hands instantly gripping the saddle horn, his knuckles white.

TK wraps one arm firmly around Jonah’s middle, anchoring him. “I’ve got you, buddy. You’re not going anywhere.”

Carlos gives Harvey’s neck a final, reassuring pat, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I’m giving you my world, buddy.” In response, Harvey gently nudges his muzzle into Carlos' chest.

“Let me take a picture of my favorite cowboys and my best friend.” He takes a couple of steps back, pulling out his phone. His fingers tremble slightly as he tries to unlock the screen, a fit of pure, joyful giggles bubbling up in his chest.

He lifts the phone and captures the moment: TK, smiling down at the phone with effortless charm; Jonah, peeking over the saddle horn with wide, exhilarated eyes; and Harvey, ears pricked forward with patient dignity. It’s perfect.

“I love you,” he says, the words directed at all three of them.

TK’s smile softens, his gaze locking with Carlos', full of an answering warmth. Jonah, still mesmerized by his high perch, gives a serious, distracted nod. And Harvey, as if on cue, swishes his tail.

Carlos takes Harvey’s reins in his hand, a guide and a guardian, and begins to walk, leading his precious cargo toward the barn.

It’s a slow procession under the sun, each soft clop of Harvey’s hooves on the packed earth a beat in a song Carlos wants to remember forever. He constantly glances over his shoulder—at Jonah, who is awestruck.

“We’re so high,” the boy whispers, taking in the familiar ranch from a new, higher perspective.

Carlos' heart may very well burst. The open love in TK’s eyes, the pure wonder in Jonah’s, the steadiness in Harvey’s gait as he carries Carlos' husband and their son—it’s a complete inversion of every expectation from his youth, a healing of the lonely young man who once confided all his secrets to this very horse.

He leads them the rest of the way to the barn, his chest swelling with quiet, fierce pride. When they reach the cool, shaded interior, he turns. “And we have arrived. What did you think, cowboy?”

“It was the best!” Jonah says, leaning down to gently stroke Harvey’s neck.

The sky is a deep indigo, the last rays of the sun catching the undersides of a few high clouds and setting them ablaze. The air is cool, carrying the earthy scent of the coming night. Carlos stands by the small charcoal grill, its bed of coals pulsing with heat; the steady crackle of burning wood and the sizzle of meat fill the space around him and Jonah.

He guides Jonah’s small hands, helping him flip the last pieces of meat—marinated steaks and juicy sausages—seared to a smoky brown. “Good job, mijo,” he says. He transfers the final sausage to a waiting plate. “Help me bring this to the table?”

Jonah nods, his face serious with the importance of his task. He carefully takes the heavy plate from Carlos' hands. “Yes!”

They turn together and walk toward the porch, where the small wooden table is set with plates and cutlery. A large bowl of potato salad sits beside a pitcher of sweet tea, condensation beading on its glass sides. TK leans against the porch rail, a smile softening his features as he watches them approach. From the eaves of the farmhouse, the wind chimes sing a soft, random melody.

“Dinner’s ready!” Jonah announces, his voice ringing with accomplishment as he carefully places the plate of meat next to the others already on the table.

TK pushes off the railing. “It smells incredible, you two. My favorite chefs.” He meets Carlos halfway, slipping an arm around his waist and pulling him in for a quick, sweet kiss that tastes of smoke and summer night. “Perfect timing. I’m starving.”

They settle around the table, tucked into their circle of light as dusk settles around them. For a few minutes, the only sounds are the clink of cutlery and contented hums as they fill their plates. Jonah, fueled by his adventure, devours a sausage in seconds.

Carlos swallows a bite, then points his fork at TK and Jonah. “So, you never told me how the great goose battle started,.”

“Oh,” TK snorts, nearly choking on his tea. “This is a good one. Wanna tell him, Jonah?”

His head tilted at a strange angle to fit more sausage in his mouth, Jonah just shakes his head, giggling around the food.

“Okay,” TK says, leaning back in his chair. “It all started when a certain explorer wanted to take a closer look at the pond.”

Jonah nods, eyes wide and chewing—a hero listening to his own epic tale.

“We’re having a peaceful recon when the brave explorer spots the enemy encampment. He turns to me and says, ‘I’m gonna say hello,’ and then he initiates the special universal goose greeting.”

Carlos grins, propping his chin on his hand. “A special greeting? Do demonstrate.”

“Yeah!” Jonah interjects, unable to contain himself. He drops his sausage and starts flapping his arms with wild enthusiasm, nearly knocking over his cup. Carlos' hand darts out to catch it, letting out a chuckle.

“Then,” TK continues, his eyes sparkling, “their commander—a real grizzled veteran with a nasty look in his eye—puffs out his chest.” TK mimics the motion, inflating his own chest. “And he lets out a sound… a sound that shook the very earth.” He pauses for dramatic effect, and Jonah leans in, utterly captivated. “A single, earth-shattering… HONNNK!” He says, hand shooting out to tickle Jonah’s belly on the last word.

Jonah giggles delightedly, then shivers, as he relives the rattling tale. “It was so loud!” He exclaims.

“And then—” TK tries to continue.

“AND THEN!” Jonah cuts in, too excited to be a mere audience member. “Two came right at me! From the water! And I ran, and Papa-bro ran to me like a superhero! Zoom!”

Carlos looks at TK, who is just smiling, his full, adoring attention fixed on their son. Carlos finds TK’s foot under the table and gives it a gentle, loving press.

“But that was a trap!” Jonah exclaims, his hands flying wide. “’Cause from the tall grass—more came! It was an ambush! And we ran to the cabin. We were trapped!” He pauses, face scrunching up. “Under siege!” he finishes, breathless.

His bright eyes then land on Carlos, and the look in them—pure, unadulterated hero worship—swells Carlos' chest with a pride so fierce it steals his breath. “But then Papa Carlos came with Harvey!” Jonah continues. “They scared all the geese away!” His expression suddenly sobers, a tiny line of concern forming between his brows. “I hope they’re not too mad at me.”

TK reaches from across the table, wiping some leftover sausage from Jonah’s cheek with his thumb. “I think they’ll forgive you, buddy.”

Jonah turns to TK, his energy finally beginning to wane. He opens his mouth to add another detail to the story, but it dissolves into a huge yawn.

“I think someone’s tired,” Carlos points out.

“I’m not,” Jonah mumbles. He blinks slowly, fighting a losing battle.

TK stands and begins to gather empty plates. “How about Papa Carlos gets you ready for bed, then we read you a story. You can pick.”

Jonah seems to consider this for a moment, his head drooping slightly. He gives a tiny, almost imperceptible nod. “Okay,” he whispers, the word softened by a second, smaller yawn.

Carlos rises too. He steals a quick kiss from TK, hushing a “I love you” against his lips before turning to his son. He holds out his hand. “Let’s go, sleepy cowboy.”

The cabin is dark, with the world outside enshrouded in the stillness of the starry night. A sliver of moonlight paints a silver stripe across their bed. Carlos holds TK close, his husband a warm weight against his side, his head a perfect comfort on Carlos' chest. Each soft exhale from TK is like a tender whisper against Carlos' skin. He responds to each one with an instinctive, feather-light press of his lips to TK’s temple, reciprocating TK’s presence with his own.

The distant chirping of crickets serves as a gentle backdrop to Carlos’ swirling thoughts—each note a quiet echo in the vastness of his mind as he struggles to find clarity amid the overwhelming surge of emotion. A tender smile begins to form on his lips, instinctively responding to the vivid memories flickering behind his closed eyes: Jonah’s joyful voice ringing out, the delicate press of his small hand on Harvey’s muzzle, the pure wonder and awe that illuminated his face like a beacon. He can still see Harvey’s gentle, reassuring nudge—how he handled Jonah with such care and patience, fully aware of how much this moment meant to Carlos. It’s all too big, too perfect. A tear escapes, tracing a warm path down his temple and into his hairline. He’s too full of joy.

TK stirs against him, his hand flexing where it rests over Carlos’ heart, fingers curling into the soft cotton of his shirt. “Carlos,” he mumbles, his voice thick with sleep. “You awake?”

Carlos’ hand, which had been tracing slow, absent-minded circles on TK’s back, stills. “Yeah,” he whispers, the word cracking. “Just… thinking.”

TK shifts, easing himself onto one elbow, his eyes shimmering in the faint light. He leans in, his lips finding the damp trail on Carlos' skin, pressing gentle kisses to soothe and reassure. “Hey,” he breathes softly. “Talk to me.”

“I’m okay,” Carlos insists. He brings a hand up to cradle TK’s jaw, his thumb gently stroking the line of his cheekbone. “I’m just… so happy it hurts a little.”

TK lowers his head, nuzzling into Carlos' neck, planting a series of soft, grounding kisses there. “It was a good day, right?”

“It was the best day,” Carlos confirms, giggling at the tickly feeling of TK peppering him with kisses. “I don’t know why I was so nervous. It feels silly now.”

“Because it mattered,” TK says softly, his words a gentle puff of air against Carlos' skin. “Two of the most important parts of your world were meeting for the first time. That’s huge.”

Carlos nods. “I know Harvey. I know Jonah. In my head, I knew they’d love each other. But…” He trails off, searching for the right words. “I just wanted it to be perfect. For Jonah. For Harvey.” He takes a shaky breath, voicing what lies at the core, the truth that makes his chest ache. “And for me. I wanted it to be perfect for me, too.”

TK goes still for a moment, then shifts fully, hovering over Carlos. He frames Carlos’ face with both hands. “And was it?” he asks, his gaze searching Carlos’ in the dim light.

Carlos looks up at him—at this man who is his heart. He sees the entire day reflected in TK’s eyes: the patience, the laughter, the unwavering support. “It was,” he whispers. “It was perfect.”

TK’s smile is a slow, wicked curve in the moonlight. “You know,” he murmurs, his voice dropping an octave, “for the record… you were stupidly hot out there today.”

Carlos blinks. The emotional orchestra in his chest screeches to a halt, replaced by a single, playful trumpet. “I was?”

“Oh, yeah,” TK confirms, leaning down to brush his lips against Carlos’. “Leading that giant horse? Telling those demon geese to shoo with your stern dad voice? That was a whole thing.” He nips playfully at Carlos' bottom lip. “Very ‘knight-in-shining-armor.’ Or, more accurately, ‘knight-in-tight-jeans’.”

A genuine laugh bubbles out of Carlos. “Is that so?”

“Mhmm.” TK’s hands slide from Carlos’ face, down his chest. “All commanding and brave.” He drops a kiss to the hollow of Carlos’ throat. “It was a very specific kind of hot. Like, ‘I-protect-my-family-and-look-incredible-doing-it’ hot.”

Carlos' breath hitches as TK finds a sensitive spot on his neck. “Well, you were the one who did the superhero sprint and rescue. That was something else.”

TK pulls back. “Oh, I know what I was. But you… you were the calm, collected cavalry. The strategist.” His grin widens. “It’s a different flavor of sexy. A little more… slutty knight.”

Carlos wheezes with laughter. “What?”

“You know the type!” TK insists, laughing with him. “All noble and chivalrous in public, but you just know he’s a menace in the royal bedchamber. All that ‘my liege’ talk is just a prelude.” He waggles his eyebrows. “That was you on Harvey. A total slutty knight.”

“You are single-handedly ruining a beautiful, emotional moment by calling me a slutty knight,” Carlos gasps, pulling TK down for a deep, lingering kiss.

When they break apart, breathless, TK rests his forehead against Carlos'. “Best kind of knight there is,” he whispers.

From the other room, a soft, sleepy sigh drifts through the wall.

Carlos' smile softens; he tightens his arms around TK. “The only kind I want to be, my liege.”

Chapter Text

They’re woken up early by an over-excited Jonah - yesterday’s activities apparently weren't enough to satisfy his craving for adventure.

Carlos sometimes misses the slow, uninterrupted mornings in bed cuddling with his husband, and revels in the ones he gets to have, but waking up to the impressive level of enthusiasm a child can muster fresh out of sleep is not so bad either. Like all kids, Jonah is grumpy some mornings, but others it seems as if he opens his eyes with an unquestioned surety that today is going to bring with it something fun. It’s infectious actually.

The specific excitement that Jonah harbours today seems to come from the promise of letting him ride the ranch’s only pony, Sparkles, by himself - that is, with Carlos staying close and keeping an eye on him the whole time, just without him leading the pony around while Jonah merely sits and hold on, which is all of Jonah’s riding experience so far

At least that is what Jonah runs into their room talking about in what can definitely not be described as an indoor voice.

When TK and Carlos don't immediately respond by jumping out of bed fully dressed in riding gear, Jonah decides the next necessary step for getting his papas to join in his excitement is to jump up on the bed.

“Wake up, wake up, wake up!” he exclaims, resorting to a method that has been declared illegal in their house, that of placing his pointer finger and thump either side of Carlos’ eye and spreading them, effectively prying it open. He knows it makes Carlos grumpy and Carlos can already hear him giggling in anticipation before his blurry face comes into view.

It doesn’t seem like any more sleep is in order then. Carlos blinks both his eyes open to the sound of TK’s exaggerated snores as he pretends to still be asleep, making him Jonah’s next victim. The snores stop abruptly as soon as Jonah has crept close enough for the planned sneak attack. Jonah’s giggles intensify as TK pounces, lifting him up and plopping him back onto the bed between TK and Carlos, TK crowding over him and blowing raspberries all over his face and neck.

“TK stop!” Jonah giggles, and TK relents only to say, “oh, so I’m TK now? Not Papa-bro?” before the tickling intensifies.

“PAPA-BRO STOP! I’LL PEE!” Jonah screams, the shrill noise hurting Carlos’ ears but he can’t help smiling all the same.

There’s a good chance he’s bluffing, but nobody wants that as the consequence of relentless tickling, so TK finally lets up. Instead he plops his head dramatically back onto the pillow and closes his eyes, folding Jonah in his arms and cuddling him to his chest.

“Okay, I’ll stop on one condition,” he says.

“What?” Jonah asks, still laughing.

“We get to sleep for ten more minutes,” TK negotiates.

“NO!” Jonah denies, the volume back up. “The geese are hungry! They need to be fed! Right, Papa Carlos?”

After the rather chaotic introduction to the geese yesterday, Jonah developed a sort of intimidated fascination with them which had led to a million geese-related questions while he helped Carlos prepare the food in the kitchen for the grill. Questions spanning from “Is it true they can bite an entire arm off?” to “Did they come from dinosaurs like other birds?” and “If so, did they come from T-Rex?” to “Can they talk to each other?”, “Do they have boyfriends and girlfriends?”, and “What do they eat?” When Carlos had told him they eat bears, Jonah had laughed but had a look in his eyes like he couldn’t be 100% sure Carlos was really joking.

Carlos then told him that they ate both grass and grains and that it would be their job to feed them in the morning. Jonah looked even more tentative at that than at the idea of them eating bears, but ultimately decided he wanted to help. So, Carlos told him that breakfast time for geese is 6:30, and showed him what both the digital clock and the round one in the kitchen would look like.

Carlos turns to look at the alarm clock on his bedside table: 6:17. Well. He hides a sigh easily behind a proud smile - on the one hand, that means no more sleep; on the other hand, that means Jonah knows that 6:17 is close to 6:30 all by himself.

“That’s right,” he agrees, running his han through Jonah’s hair, unruly from sleep. “Good job, mijo. You’re getting so good at telling the clock.” Jonah beams.

“Okay,” Carlos groans, hoisting himself out of bed. “C’mon then. Let’s give your brother ten more minutes while we go feed the geese.”

They go to the main room of the cabin and pull sweaters over their sleeping clothes. Jonah puts on TK‘s from yesterday evening, which reaches all the way to his knees and has sleeves that reach far beyond the length of his arms, making him look like an adorable little woolen ghost in the still low morning light inside the cabin. Carlos helps him roll up both sleeves before they put on their shoes and head out into the crisp air.

On the way to the feeding barn, Carlos says conversationally, “I thought opening the eyes of sleeping papas was declared illegal in our house?” ruffling Jonah’s hair so he knows he’s only joking.

Jonah doesn’t waste a second, chirping, “We’re not in our house, though.”

Carlos can’t help the snort that escapes him when he looks down and is met with Jonah’s tooth-eating grin and faux-innocent wide eyes. He shouldn’t encourage him to get away with breaking rules, but he has yet to get used to living with a miniature wise-ass now that his kid is becoming too smart for his own good.

Carlos shows Jonah how to measure the grains for the geese and put them in the bucket. It’s a little heavy for Jonah to carry all the way, so Carlos takes it and instead hands him a handful of carrots that they can feed the horses when they walk by to say good morning.

Jonah gets a little nervous when they near the goose pen, but with Carlos holding the bucket of grains, they’re way more interested in him. Jonah giggles at it now being Carlos, the hero in yesterday’s geese war, who is the victim of a flock of hungry, squabbling geese. Once most of the grain is emptied onto the ground and the geese are preoccupied with eating it, Carlos hands the rest to Jonah to pour out as a peace offering.

When they arrive back inside, TK is up and puttering around the kitchen, taking eggs out of the fridge and a pan and flour out of the cupboards. Carlos basks in the mixed scent of his husband and fresh coffee brewing as he leans in to give him a kiss good morning.

Jonah is a real chatterbox this morning. He barely stops to breathe while preparing bacon and pancakes, only pausing once mid-sentence to ask, “I get to ride Sparkles by myself today, right, Carlos?”

Jonah has a good grasp of the pronunciation of most letters, but after recently losing both his front teeth at once, only for them to be replaced with new ones he’s still getting used to, he’s started to sometimes lisp slightly on his s’s when he’s really excited or tired, causing the word ‘Sparkles’, to come out more like ‘Fparkles’. It probably doesn’t help that he has a mouth full of pancakes hot off the pan with an excessive amount of syrup at that point.

Carlos smiles to himself at the use of his name, too. Lately Jonah has started to alternate between using parental terms for them and sometimes using their names. ‘Carlos’ and ‘TK’ are mostly used when it’s very serious.

“We promised, didn’t we?” Carlos says.

“Yep,” Jonah says, popping the ‘p’ as if he was actually just reminding Carlos of the fact. And then, after a short dramatic pause, he chatters on.

He chatters through breakfast, through helping to put the clean dishes away, and even through all three of them brushing their teeth in the bathroom, which causes fits of laughter when he succeeds in spilling tooth paste all down his front rather than bringing forth any real sounding words.

He doesn’t stop chattering until they are in the stables, TK preparing Harvey to be taken out for a ride while Jonah listens carefully with wide eyes to Carlos explaining how to groom Sparkles, first with the curry comb and then the brush, and then shows him how the saddle is placed, how to fasten the girth points, and put the bridle on.

When Sparkles is ready, Carlos checks over TK’s work. TK earns himself a kiss placed on a proud lopsided grin, and a pat to the ass while Jonah is distracted when Carlos finds everything to be in order.

Finally they’re all saddled up and ready to go. Carlos helps Jonah up on Sparkles, and TK already makes himself comfortable in his saddle on Harvey. Meanwhile, Carlos reviews with Jonah how to hold the reins and the signals for walk, stop, and turn.

They decided for TK to ride Harvey around the small enclosed riding course, as that would make Sparkles naturally follow her friend around, making Jonah’s first solo ride easier. The plan works as intended. They start slowly, with Carlos leading Sparkles along the path of TK and Harvey for a few laps around the court, and then only letting go for short periods of time while keeping a constant eye on Jonah and coming back to give him small pointers on his posture and how to keep his hands from rising on their own when he wants to give Sparkles the signal to turn or break.

Soon, Jonah is able to ride Sparkles for an entire round around the enclosure on his own, and Carlos feels his chest swell with pride at how well he’s taking to Carlos’ instructions.

Suddenly, Harvey jumps, kicking his hind legs and causing TK to slip down his side. TK’s barely hanging on while Harvey gallops half the length of the course before TK manages to get him to stop, sending a look of shocked surprise in Carlos’ direction as he thankfully manages to right himself in the saddle, bent forward to pat Harvey’s neck to try and calm him down from whatever it was that spooked him. Only then does Carlos see the rabbit that must have entered from under the fence.

Luckily, Sparkles proves her worth as a pony well suited for beginners by her unbotheredness at the entire ordeal. Still, Carlos is by Jonah’s side in a second, taking hold of the reins just in case she should decide to react to her friend’s stress. When he gets there, Jonah has already managed to slow her to a halt by himself.

“Good job, mijo,” Carlos says when he reaches him. “You okay?”

“Yeah, Papa Carlos,” Jonah says as if it’s a silly question. “Papa-bro is stuck, though.”

Carlos looks back over at TK, and sure enough - even though he’s wearing the boots they brought specifically for this - one of them somehow managed to slip through the stirrup. NowTK is struggling to get it through the other way, which means his leg is indeed stuck.

Carlos faces a dilemma. On the one hand, he doesn’t want to leave Jonah, but on the other, Sparkles is completely calm, and Jonah is too, and over the last forty minutes or so Jonah has proven that he has good basic control over her. TK is no more than maybe ten yards away, and with Harvey still seeming distressed, TK needs help as fast as possible to avoid the potentially dangerous situation of TK getting thrown off with his leg still caught in the stirrup.

“Okay, buddy,” he says to Jonah, staying calm. “Do you think you’ll be alright for a minute while I go help your brother? I want you to just keep Sparkles still exactly like you’re doing now. Can you do that? I’ll only be a minute, I promise.”

“I can do it, papa,” Jonah says. His serious and determined expression makes Carlos feel more sure of his decision. He’ll just be a minute.

“If he starts walking or moving around or anything else happens, call me right away okay?”

Jonah gives the affirmative and Carlos rushes to TK, keeping a quick but steady pace so as to not startle Harvey further.

“Heyy boy, shh” he says to the big horse as he approaches, laying a hand on Harvey's neck to help settle him. The touch and voice of his old friend seem to help a little. “Hey, babe,” he says, directed at TK.

“Hey,” TK says distractedly, sounding frustrated. “I’m fine, I just can’t get- my foot-”

“Here, let me help. Can you keep an eye on Jonah?”

“Got it,” TK says, sitting upright while Carlos grips his calf in one hand and the stirrup in the other, trying to wrangle him free.

Later, Carlos will think about all the things he could have done differently, how quickly it all happened and what he should have done to prevent it. He’s twisting TK’s foot this way and that, sparing a quick, “still doing okay, buddy?” at Jonah, receiving a chirping “yep,” in reply. And then he finally finds the right angle, the one TK’s foot was presumably in when it managed to slip through the stirrup in the first place, and he’ll be able to get TK free if he can just-

“Babe, can you twist your foot a bit to the left for me? No, your other left-”

TK looks down for maybe three seconds, twisting his foot while Carlos grips his calf tighter, and the stirrup tighter, and pulls, and TK’s foot slips free.

A sigh of relief escapes as Carlos stretches out his fingers, a one second-long look into TK’s eyes as his mouth moves to presumably say thank you, and then-

“Papa Carlos?” comes Jonah’s voice, sounding unsure.

Both their eyes snap to him. At first glance nothing looks amiss. Sparkles has moved maybe two steps towards the middle of the court and seems to be sniffing the ground, her head bent low, having pulled Jonah with it as he presumably held onto the reins. Carlos is already on his way towards him, about to tell him that he can let go of the reins to sit upright, when he notices Sparkles’ slightly bent front legs. His walk turns into a run.

Seconds before, Carlos applauded the pony for staying so calm while Harvey got spooked, but Sparkles is apparently a bit too calm. The memory strikes suddenly, of the pony on his family ranch that would sometimes do this: decide to take spontaneous rolls in the dirt when it found being ridden around to be too boring. Apparently, the minute of inactivity has made Sparkles more interested in a lie-down than in standing still and doing nothing, and she either doesn’t care or doesn’t remember the little boy still sitting on her back.

“Jonah, pull the reins, buddy, as hard as you can,” Carlos calls, even as he’s running towards the boy and the pony

But Jonah doesn’t have the strength in his arms from his forward-bent position to pull up the hanging head of a determined, lazy pony, and Carlos is just a split second too late. Sparkles bends lower and lower until she decides to let gravity do the rest, tilting her body to the side and effectively causing Jonah to fly off her back. Carlos is there less than a second after, her reins in hand and able to pull her back up before she can roll over onto her back and get any closer to where Jonah’s landed, but not before she’s landed fully on her side, too close for comfort to where Jonah’s right foot is lying.

That Sparkles is a pony not easily spooked is a sentiment that apparently includes being totally unfazed by panicking parents and the loud crying of little boys. She follows easily to the nearest fence post which Carlos throws the reins over, sniffing calmly at a patch of grass that has grown into the court from under the fence as Carlos rushes to his crying kid.

“Shh, mijo. It’s alright, you’re okay,” he begins to soothe as he kneels down, rubbing Jonah’s back in an attempt to calm him down a little so Carlos can ask some questions.

“Can you tell me what hurts, mijo?”

“My f- foot!” Jonah sobs loudly, his words interrupted by violent gasps and hiccups.

Suddenly Carlos is unsure of his own eyes moments before as a stone drops in his stomach. He didn’t think Sparkles laid down on top of Jonah’s foot, but what if it just happened too quickly for him to see?

“Jonah, did Sparkles land on your foot, or did you hurt it when you fell off?”

“I don’t-,” hiccup, “don’t know!” Jonah cries before his eyes close and his mouth opens, breaking down into even louder sobs. Carlos’ heart breaks for his kid - he can’t remember the last time he was downright wailing like this, like he used to when he was small and fell on the playground. Carlos realises he’s not going to get any answers from him like this and at this rate he’s worried Jonah’s going to make himself sick if he doesn’t calm down a little. It seems like a hug has to be the first order of business.

“Okay, it’s okay mijo. Shh. Can you try for a deep breath?” he says, unclipping Jonah’s helmet and taking it off, swiping his hair from his forehead as Jonah manages half a lung full of air before it’s pushed out again by another violent sob. Sitting himself fully down on the ground, Carlos pulls Jonah into his lap, not caring about the snot already running down his upper lip as Jonah rests his head against his chest and continues crying, his face red from the exertion.

“It’s okay,” he repeats, rubbing his hand in steady motions up and down Jonah’s little back. “Can you try again? C’mon, one big breath,” he instructs softly. Jonah complies, managing to fill his lungs a bit more this time before the air is couched out.

Out of the corner of his eye, Carlos noticed that all the commotion didn’t help Harvey’s stressed state, but now, looking up, Carlos sees that TK has successfully dismounted Harvey and has managed to calm him down again. He’s holding him steady and seems to be murmuring softly to him as he catches Carlos’ eyes. He raises an eyebrow and motions towards the stable. Carlos nods. Harvey is too tall to be able to just throw the reins over a fence post like he did with Sparkles, and it wouldn’t help anything to have a distressed horse running loose around the court.

Carlos instructs Jonah to take one more deep breath, and it seems to do the trick, loud sobs turning to sniffles and the occasional hiccup.

“There you go, good job, mijo” Carlos says, continuing to rub Jonah’s back in slow, soothing circles. Jonah’s acute distress no longer taking up all of Carlos' attention, makes room for a building panic and guilt in Carlos' gut but he tampers it down so he can keep focusing on making sure his kid is alright. “Is anywhere hurting but your foot?” he asks. Jonah shakes his head, no. Good. “Okay, that’s good,” he says, adjusting Jonah in his lap so he can reach down to his feet. “Can you tell me which foot is hurting?” Jonah points to his right foot.

“Okay,” Carlos says. “I need to take your boot off to take a look, okay? I’ll be careful, I promise.”

Jonah’s lip trembles but he nods bravely against Carlos’ chest. Carlos has to steel himself too as he reaches to remove Jonah’s riding boot. He’s a little worried about what he’ll find, but mostly he just hates being the cause of Jonah suffering any kind of pain.

Especially when he’s the one to blame for him being in pain in the first place.

When TK rounds the corner to the end of the stable, he almost bumps into Earl, who has his arms full of what appears to be old halters. He barely manages to keep himself from jumping in surprise - poor Harvey doesn’t need anymore things stressing him today, and frankly, TK doesn’t either; he’d much rather get quickly back to his little brother and his probably spiralling husband as soon as possible.

“Oh, hey Earl!” he says. “I thought you and Erin had gone into town today?”

“Oh, we had, but we cut the trip short because Erin’s back was bothering her. Thought I’d just as well spend the afternoon fixing these old things,” he says, lifting the halters.

“Oh I’m sorry,” TK replies, about to politely end the conversation with some pleasantry and step past Earl into the stable when he interrupts him.

“Is everything alright?” Earl asks, presumably noticing TK’s hurry and distractedness. “I thought y’all were going riding today?”

“We were. We did,” TK rambles. “Um, actually no or, I don’t know. Jonah fell off Sparkles and hurt his foot and all the commotion and crying stressed out Harvey so I’m just bringing him back so I can go help out Carlos and check out Jonah to make sure he’s alright.”

“Oh dear,” Earl says, even more creases erupting around his kind eyes as he furrows his brow in concern. “Is there anything I can do to help? I could take this old fella inside so you can get back to your boy?” he offers, gesturing to Harvey.

“I- that would be really helpful, thank you,” TK breathes. He waits until Earl has put down the armful of halters before handing him Harvey’s reins.

“Sure,” he says easily. “Do y’all need me to come get Sparkles too?” he asks.

“Thank you so much, that would be amazing,” TK says, grateful. “I’m sorry to keep you from your project.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Earl says. “You just get back to your boys, and I’ll take care of the horses. I do hope Jonah’s food is alright,” he says genuinely.

“Thank you so much Earl,” TK says, backing away already, the scene he left behind calling him back to check on his kid and husband, but still feeling a bit bad about leaving Harvey to Earl. Earl seems to sense this, waving him off as he turns around and starts leading Harvey into the stable. “Go, go,” he says. “I’ll be there in a bit to take Sparkles off y’all’s hands.”

TK doesn’t need any more encouragement. “Thank you again,” he rushes out one last time, already running back towards the riding court.

When he gets there, opting to climb over the wooden fence rather than dealing with the gate, the sound of Jonah’s crying doesn’t reach him right away so TK hopes that means he must be feeling a little better already and hopes it’s a sign that Jonah’s foot isn’t in too bad of a state. Maybe Jonah just had a scare. He hopes so.

His hopes are somewhat confirmed as he reaches Carlos and Jonah still sitting on the ground. Jonah’s crying has turned into soft sniffles, and Carlos is wiping at his cheeks and having him blow his nose into a tissue that he must have procured from one of his pockets. As TK kneels down to their level, he notices Jonah is also without a shoe on his right foot.

“Hey,” he says softly, brushing Jonah’s hair back as Carlos folds the tissue and wipes under his nose to clear away the last bit of snot from his upper lip. “How are you doing, buddy?”

TK almost feels bad for asking the question as it causes another round of the tears that seemed to have just stopped to well up in Jonah’s big eyes and spill over. Jonah reaches his arms out for TK like he did when he was little, apparently needing a hug from both his papas before he’s fully done crying.

“Aw, c’mere buddy,” TK says, accepting Jonah into his arms as Carlos hands him over, careful not to jostle his bare foot. “It’s okay,” he soothes, rubbing his back. “That was a bit scary, huh?” It’s lucky that Carlos just wiped his nose as Jonah rubs it against TK’s neck as he nods.

“My foot hurts,” comes Jonah’s tiny voice from where his face is still buried in TK’s neck.

“I know honey,” TK says sympathetically. “Did Papa Carlos take a look at it?” he asks, looking at Carlos, who nods.

“I don’t think it’s broken,” he says, but he looks unsure. “He can move it around alright and it didn’t look blue when I looked at it but I thought I would wait and let you take a closer look. I didn’t want to make it hurt more when I don’t know what I’m looking for.”

TK nods, and then, directed at the boy in his arms, “can you go back and sit with Carlos for a bit so I can take a look at your foot, baby?” Jonah nods and reluctantly lets go of TK so he can transfer him back to Carlos, who positions Jonah in his lap so that TK can stretch Jonah’s leg and place the heel of his right foot on his own leg.

“Can you show me how much you can move your foot like you showed Papa Carlos?” TK asks, watching closely as Jonah moves his foot up and down, left and right, a little whine leaving him when he moves it to the left again at TK’s request.

“It hurts,” he says, in a voice that sounds close to tears again that squeezes TK’s heart. It appears to be having the same effect on Carlos, whose eyes look big and shiny as they briefly meet TK’s, a crease forming in his forehead and around his mouth before he can school his expression telling TK that his husband is probably already taking the fast lane down a guilt and worry fueled spiral behind his calm exterior. TK will have to take care of that later though.

“I know, sweetie,” he says to Jonah, his voice sympathetic. “You’re doing such a good job.”

TK doesn’t have one term of endearment he particularly uses for Jonah like Carlos has mijo. Silly words and heartfelt terms of endearments that he remembers his mom calling him when he was little sit loosely on TK - sweetie, buddy, baby, mr. smarty-pants, little man, little bro, monster-mash-Morgan when he’s creating uncontrollable chaos around the house.

“I’m going to move your foot around a bit and press different places,” he tells Jonah. “Can you help me by telling me if anything hurts?”

Jonah nods timidly and Carlos squeezes him tighter around the middle as TK lifts the little foot and starts prodding and twisting it as gently as he can, feeling and looking for any signs of a break amongst the web of tiny bones in there. He sees a bit of swelling and what seems to be the blooming of a barely visible bruise. At one particular twist, Jonah screams out ‘OW’ and promptly starts crying again.

“Sorry, bud, sorry,” TK hurries to apologise, letting go and letting Carlos comfort Jonah for a minute while he waits.

“Can you tell me where that hurt, baby? Toes or ankle?”

“Ankle,” Jonah blubbers.

“Okay. Here or here?” TK asks, very gently pressing at a spot just behind the ankle bone and one that’s more on top of the foot. Jonah shrugs, sniffling.

“Okay, that’s okay,” TK says, letting go and rubbing Jonah’s shin comfortingly while Carlos places a kiss to the top of his head, concerned eyes holding contact with TK’s.

“I don’t think there’s anything broken,” TK informs his worried husband. “His ankle is a little swollen, but normally his ankle would look more bruised by now and I think if it was broken, it’d probably hurt even more. It’s super difficult to say though, there are like over twenty tiny bones in there. What we can do is either we could give it a couple of hours or until tomorrow, see if the pain gets better or the swelling gets worse.”

At Carlos’ sceptical look he continues, “or we can go get it checked out, just to be sure.” That seems to relax Carlos’s shoulders and he nods. To be honest, TK prefers this option as well - he doesn’t like to see Jonah be in pain.

“Altight, bud,” he says to Jonah, getting up and retrieving him from Carlos’ arms so he can get up too. “Looks like we’re taking a little trip to the ER so a doctor can take a look at that foot.”

Luckily, that’s when he spots Earl coming to retrieve Sparkles. They arrive at the fence first, with Carlos using the hand that isn’t holding Jonah’s sock and riding boot to open the gate and holding it open to Earl as he approaches. They quickly explain the situation and thank him again.

“Feel better, little man,” Earl says to Jonah before they part, Earl taking a step in the direction of Sparkles, who seems to have found a way to get to the patch of grass with a twist of her lips that looks very silly. Jonah’s head is resting against TK’s shoulder, and he doesn’t seem to have more of a response in him than a tiny nod. “If you come by the main house on your way back, we got a freezer full of ice cream,” Earl says and that does catch his attention.

“Have you got strawberry?” he asks in a voice that’s still small enough that TK is impressed that Earl even hears him. “Sure do,” he winks, and TK is happy to see a little light return to his brother’s sad eyes.

“Thank you,” he says again. We better get going but we’ll definitely come back later for that ice cream. Right, bud?”

“Can we?”

“Of course, baby,” he promises, placing a kiss to Jonah’s hair. “Alright,” he says, hoisting Jonah further up on his hip. He’s starting to feel heavy in TK’s arms. “See you, Earl. Thanks again!” He calls, Carlos repeating the sentiment before they start walking towards their cabin.

“Is there anything you want to bring?” TK asks Jonah. “We might have to wait a while to see the doctor.”

Jonah shrugs, then after a beat. “My nintendo?”

“Sure.”

“And Lou Three,” he adds.

“Why don’t I get those, and grab the keys too?” Carlos asks. “Meet you at the car.”

“Thank you babe,” TK says, grateful to not have to walk all the way to the cabin and then to the car with his arms full of his not-so-little-anymore little brother.

He hears the click of Carlos unlocking the car from the cabin just as he arrives with Jonah, and seconds after, Carlos is running to join them, handing Jonah Lou Three, his yellow stuffed Dino, after TK has finished buckling him in.

He seems out of breath, his eyes wide like the run from the cabin to the car only accelerated some of the panic that he had kept locked away earlier for Jonah’s sake.

TK rests a comforting hand on his toned belly.

“Why don’t I drive?” he suggests.

“Yeah,” Carlos agrees, rubbing his hand over his face and handing TK the keys. Soon after TK is turning on the car and heading back up the gravel road, Carlos’ nervous excitement when they arrived replaced with a different kind of nervous energy dimming his eyes when TK meets them in the rearview mirror, the same hand that TK was holding when they drove down this road in the other direction yesterday instead running through Jonah’s hair and rubbing the dirt from his tear-stained cheeks that haven’t quite lost their chubbiness yet.

TK is glad he suggested driving them so his sad kid and his sad husband can comfort each other rather than Carlos sitting in the front alone, wallowing in his own miserable guilt - or rather, Carlos can comfort himself by comforting Jonah as they make the hour long drive from the ranch to the ER.

TK hates seeing Jonah hurt as much as Carlos, but he also knows that these things happen - he’s seen both minor injuries like these and way worse consequences of unfortunate accidents that were nobody’s fault hundreds of times as a paramedic. As much as he hopes Jonah’s foot isn’t broken, he also can’t wait to pull his husband into a hug and convince him not to blame himself for what happened.

He drives along the highway back towards Austin, occasionally checking on his family in the rearview mirror, at one point noticing that Carlos seems to have procured yet another neatly folded napkin from his pocket, that he uses to help Jonah blow his nose again. It takes TK’s thoughts momentarily back to the image of his husband sitting on the ground and comforting his little brother, making him reflect on how they handled everything together back there. In the years since they adopted Jonah, Carlos has taken to the role so seemingly effortlessly although TK knows it hasn’t felt that way for Carlos all the time, feeling like he lacked a useful reference from his own experience, leaving him at an impasse about to do sometimes, self-doubt making him question if he was even ever doing anything right.

But TK sees it, sees how much of a dad Carlos is - from always having a spare napkin in his pocket, to having an overview of the bigger picture and taking responsibility for his kid’s safety, to being able to recognize the signs that something is broken. TK doesn’t know if it comes from growing up with a firefighter for a dad, but to him that is something that dads just know. Most of all he loves how effortlessly they work together and switch up roles when necessary. TK once said on the hood of his new boyfriend’s fancy sports car, that they make a really good team. That sentiment is as true today as it was then, not least of all when it comes to being co-parents of TK’s little brother.

He’s brought out of his thoughts as he pulls into the parking lot.

Luckily, the waiting room at the ER isn’t filled to the brim, and they don’t have to wait too long to be seen by a nurse who gets them set up with a cot for Jonah and tells them a doctor will come see them shortly.

Carlos seems to be barely holding it together at this point, having perhaps also had a bit too much time for silent reflection in the car. When the doctor arrives, he asks them to step out of the room to quickly go over what happened before he examines Jonah.

TK doesn’t have time to say anything before Carlos starts talking a mile a minute, telling the whole story, beginning from them even making the decision to let Jonah ride by himself, to the rabbit running into the court and scaring Harvey to TK’s foot getting caught in the stirrup and the dilemma he was facing.

“- everything was fine. I- Jonah was calm, the pony was calm and standing completely still, and he’d been doing so well. I thought- I thought I’d only be away for a second and be close enough the whole time to- but I wasn’t quick enough and-” He deflates. “And it’s all my fault. I should never have let him ride on his own,” he concludes sadly, as if that decision too rested solely on Carlos and it wasn’t something he and TK agreed on together. TK feels his heart squeeze the same way it had at Jonah’s tears earlier, at his husband still sometimes taking the whole world upon his shoulders without even realizing it.

“Babe-” he starts, but the doctor interrupts him.

“Alright, Mr. Reyes,” he says, not unkindly. “Now, you said the pony Jonah was riding rolled over with Jonah on its back?”

Carlos nods, going pale as he relives all the events.

“And it says here that Jonah is complaining about pain in his ankle,” he says, referring to the chart in his hand. Carlos and TK both nod.

“And nowhere else?” They both respond ‘no’, in unison, and then ‘yes’, when asked if he was wearing a helmet.

“Good,” the doctor says. “And did you see if the foot got squished underneath the pony or if he might have just landed on it wrong when he fell?” the doctor asks.

“I don’t know! I didn’t see,” Carlos chokes. TK places a hand on his lower back, rubbing small circles and takes over in a calmer voice.

“It didn’t look like it from where I was,” TK clarifies. “Carlos got to Jonah in time to prevent it from rolling over fully, and it looked like she barely missed his foot when she lay down.”

“I think that’s what I saw too but now I’m not sure,” Carlos says in the same, hectic rambling tone from before, his next words coming out exasperated like this is the most important detail to remember and he can’t. “I asked Jonah but he was crying and he said he didn’t know and I forgot to ask him again once he’s calmed down!” he exclaims, like he committed a grave sin.

“Alright,” the doctor says again, jotting something down. “We’ll probably know more once I take a look at Jonah’s foot to determine if anything’s broken. Whether it was squished underneath the horse or not won’t change what we’re looking at. Either way, by the looks of things, it could’ve gone much worse,” he says, giving Carlos a tight smile that TK reads as an ill attempt at reassurance. “I’m in a bit of a hurry but I’ll give you two a minute before I start the examination.” He doesn’t say more before he turns on his heel and heads back into Jonah’s room, closing the door behind him.

Unfortunately, his parting words don’t seem to have eased Carlos’ mind at all; rather, they appear to have set his brain running through all the possible ways things could have gone even worse. TK can almost see them flash behind his eyes as he appears to be staring blankly at a spot on the far wall of the ER.

“Baby,” he says, and when Carlos doesn’t respond, “hey, look at me.”

When Carlos does, he has a look in his eyes that TK recognizes well - his eyes wide and shiny and round like a sad baby cow’s - as he stares into TK’s like it’s the only place he can find the absolution his mind refuses to accept. TK tries to give it to him, holding his face in both hands and speaking to him in a soft but determined tone.

“Carlos, what happened isn’t your fault. We both agreed that he was ready, and you couldn’t have predicted that rabbit running into the court, or Harvey getting spooked, or my boot going through the stirrup, or Sparkles being the laziest pony possibly in the entire world, okay?”

Carlos’ eyes flicker back and forth between TK’s, looking like he’s trying to believe him but failing. Rather, TK knows there’s a protest coming when his mouth pops open between TK’s hands. He interrupts him before it can leave his parted lips.

“These things happen, baby, and you can’t prevent them every time, no matter how badly you want to.”

Carlos sighs, looking pained. “I still wish I had gotten there sooner,” he mumbles, defeated. His words pick up speed again as he continues, “and now I just embarrassed myself in front of that doctor, probably managing to implicate myself even more. And you saw him! He might not have said it, but he definitely thinks I was being irresponsible-”

“Carlos,” TK interrupts. “That doctor probably sees worried parents every day trying to pin all the blame on themselves. Hey, come here,” he says, pulling him in as a resort to the last thing he knows will at least calm his husband down a little when words don't work: a very tight hug.

“I’m sorry,” Carlos exhales, his breath warm and moist against TK’s collarbone as he presses his eyes into where neck meets shoulder and finally takes a deep breath. “I’m spiraling, I know.”

“You are,” TK says, rubbing his back and turning his head to kiss his cheek. “But that’s okay. You’re a parent, this is what it’s like when your kid gets hurt.”

“So why aren’t you?” Carlos asks, a stubborn tone to his voice.

“Because I’ve seen injuries like these a thousand times, and comforted worried parents just as many. And because we can’t both be spiraling at once,” TK jokes.

“Sorry,” Carlos says again. “I wanted to be the strong one.”

TK kisses his cheek again. “You don’t always have to be.”

When they reenter the room, Jonah and the doctor are engaged in a conversation about Lou Three - about how he came from an egg because dinosaurs and lizards are the same that way, and about how his brother is a lizard named Lou II but he also has other brothers and sisters that live outside and how Jonah doesn’t have any brothers and sisters because he’s a ‘lonely child’.

“Wow,” the doctor replies, apparently better at feigning interest towards children than at providing reassurance to adults. But then again, he is a pediatrician, TK thinks to himself. He’s glad, at least, that he seems to be making Jonah feel safe.

“Alright,” the doctor starts, “now that your dads are here-”

“Those are my papas,” Jonah interrupts him. He points to Carlos and then to TK. “That’s Papa Carlos and that’s my Papa-bro and my dad is in jail and my mom is in heaven. And my grandpa-Owen lives in New York but my abuela-”

“Okay, mijo,” Carlos quickly jumps in, chuckling nervously as TK can’t help his lips from curving up at both his brother’s antics and how awkward his poor husband sometimes feels around authorities. “Why don’t we save both yours and Lou Three’s family history for another time, hm? The doctor is here to look at your foot.”

“Sounds like quite the story, though,” the doctor says. “I’ll have to hear it some other time.” He winks at Jonah, who smiles, looking up at Carlos as if to say, ‘see?’ receiving a kiss to his forehead. “So,” the doctor tries again, “now that your Papa Carlos and Papa-bro are back, why don’t we look at this foot of yours? Now which one was it again?”

Jonah points to the foot that’s still lacking a sock, and TK and Carlos hold each of his hands as the doctor examines it. This time, he doesn’t break out into full-on crying when the doctor twists it the same way TK had, but he does draw in a sharp breath, and his lip trembles a bit as he gives his affirmative when the doctor asks if that’s where it hurts. TK has to take a deep breath as he feels tears pricking at his own eyes.

The doctor prescribes some Tylenol to take the edge off Jonah’s pain, and confirms what TK concluded earlier - that there likely isn’t a break, but that he can’t be one hundred percent sure without an x-ray, an offer that they quickly decide they’ll accept seeing as their insurance covers it anyway. Even if the treatment would be the same for a small break or a sprain, TK also secretly hopes that getting confirmed that Jonah’s foot isn’t broken will make his husband feel better.

They have to wait for the x-ray, and then wait again for the doctor to come back. In the meantime, a nurse comes by with a wristband and hospital gown for Jonah that TK and Carlos help him change into, then the radiographer comes to take Jonah to his x-ray, and then another nurse comes by to tell them it’ll be while before the doctor is able to give them the results, but asks Jonah to choose a color bandage for when he comes back.

With every new person that comes and goes, Jonah retells the events of the day, new and exciting details being added each time as he gains confidence and as the pain meds seem to begin working. TK finds it endearing but also notices Carlos’ expression going back to more and more guilt stricken with every rendition of the story, especially when Jonah excitedly tells a nurse that ‘his Papa Carlos wasn’t fast enough to reach him in time’ and ‘then Sparkles rolled over on top of me so I couldn’t see anything!’

At one point, TK suggests Carlos go out to get them some lunch, thinking some air might help. TK has been in hospitals as the near-fatal patient, but he’s also been here countless times in connection to his work. Carlos having been on the ‘friends-and-family’ side of said near fatalities probably isn’t helping his stress levels. Jonah shows TK his new Nintendo game until Carlos comes back, looking a little better and with sandwiches in hand as well as two much needed cups of coffee for himself and TK.

Finally, after multiple rounds of waiting that amounted to several hours all in all, the doctor comes back with the results.

“It’s definitely not broken,” he says, and TK feels his own shoulders drop at the same time as he sees the pure relief on Carlos’ face.

“At most it looks to be a moderate sprain. I’ll still recommend he wear a bandage and that he keeps his weight off it for at least about a week or until the pain has lessened some. I believe a nurse has been here to ask Jonah which color he prefers?”

TK and Carlos both nod, thinking that’ll be it, but apparently he has more to say.

“I can’t say for sure if he was just really lucky, but in my professional opinion, it is very unlikely that we wouldn’t be seeing a worse injury if a horse had rolled on top of Jonah’s foot,” he begins, to both TK’s and Carlos’ puzzlement, adjusting the glasses on his nose. “I apologise if I was a little short with you all earlier, it’s been a busy day. But I wanted to say that I’ve seen accidents involving horses and kids even younger than Jonah, where the parents weren’t being responsible about the situation and from what you told me, this isn’t one of them.” TK takes Carlos’ hand and squeezes.

It seems to take Carlos a moment to gather himself, unsure of whether he should be squaring his shoulders and taking the compliment, or whether he should be shrinking under the attention.

“I- thank you for saying that,” he replies hoarsely, shaking the doctor’s outstretched hand as the doctor responds only with a curt nod.

“Thank you, doctor Anderson,” TK repeats, shaking his hand too. “We appreciate it.”

The doctor nods once again before turning around and walking down the hall.

Luckily, it doesn’t take long until a nurse comes back to apply the bandage, sending them home with instructions to reapply it that TK doesn’t tell her he doesn’t need.

“You ready to go home, buddy?” TK asks Jonah.

“Yeah,” Jonah says empathetically, “I’m hungry.”

The sun has almost set as they approach the ranch, and this time it’s Carlos who is behind the wheel. TK is in the front seat beside Carlos, as Jonah fell asleep before they even picked up their dinner. His head is resting against the window, his foot wrapped in the purple bandage sticking out from overneath the blanket Carlos draped over him while TK was inside retrieving their food order.

They let Jonah pick whatever he wanted for dinner, and the car smells pleasantly like all of Jonah’s favorite dishes that they got for them to share from their go-to place for Chinese in Austin, making Carlos' stomach rumble. Just like when they arrived at the ranch yesterday, TK’s hand is holding his, only this time it’s his right instead of his left one, and this time it does less to make him feel better, guilt still sitting like a stone at the bottom of his belly, despite both TK’s and the doctor’s reassuring words.

He still feels like there’s so much he should have done differently, or at least thought of beforehand. He could have tied Sparkles to a fence-post before going to help TK, or helped Jonah down and over the fence and countless other scenarios he’s spent most of the car ride playing around in his mind.

He knows rationally that all those thoughts can’t make any difference now, and that people make mistakes and accidents happen, and that it doesn’t necessarily make him a bad parent.It’s just that he was so excited yesterday, and nervous about Jonah having a good experience and introducing him to Harvey - his future to his past. And now, what if Jonah never wants to ride or even go near a horse again? One thing is how much it meant to Carlos to get to introduce his kid to something he loves so much and that’s brought him so much comfort, and to see how excited Jonah had been this morning; but Carlos will never forgive himself if Jonah’s first real time riding a horse has resulted in him having a new fear for life.

They stop only briefly by Earl’s and Erin’s house, receiving a whole tub of strawberry ice cream and both their well wishes, before continuing the few hundred yards down the road to the cabin.

They eat their food on the couch, swapping the containers between them while they watch a movie of Jonah’s choice. Jonah’s eyes are drooping before the film is finished and before he can eat the last extra scoop of ice cream. Usually it’s only them tucking him in, but tonight they’re both there, fussing over him, making sure his pillow is fluffed and he has an extra one elevating his foot, that he has a full glass of water within reach in case he gets thirsty.

Carlos tries to pay attention to TK reading the chapter of Jonah’s current bedtime story aloud. He actually likes this story and his husband is good at reading it; his voice is warm and melodic, his slow rhythm comforting, and he’s good at giving the characters different voices. But he can’t help replaying the events of the day, can’t help seeing new ends to the scenario - Sparkles rolling not only on top of Jonah’s foot but all over both his legs, a hoof hitting Jonah in the head..

His thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the book snapping shut.

“And end!” TK says. “Both my boys seem a bit distracted tonight huh? If you don’t appreciate my reading skills you can just say so,” he jokes.

Carlos looks at Jonah, seeing his kid hone an expression that mirrors his own before he laughs bashfully at TK’s jokes. It doesn’t seem to reach his eyes though, and it only fuels Carlos’ worries that he’s managed to scar his kid for life.

They make sure to both tell Jonah several times each to call for them if there’s anything he needs, before reluctantly retracting themselves from his room so he can get some sleep.

Carlos doesn’t hear TK’s question once they sit back down on the couch - probably something about what he wants to watch now that Jonah is in bed, judging from the remote in his hand.

“Hey,” TK says, getting his attention. Carlos knew this was probably coming but he still finds his defences going immediately down when TK gives him that look. “You okay?”

“I just keep replaying everything that happened. I can’t believe I almost let our kid get crushed by a horse,” he says and finds his voice breaking.

“But he didn’t,” TK says, “he’s okay, everything’s okay. He’s okay, babe,” he repeats when Carlos doesn’t manage to look convinced. “You heard the doctor. He has a sprained ankle, no kid goes through life without a sprained ankle, and there’s no way he was squished underneath-”

“But he could have been! I didn’t-”

“No,” TK interrupts, his tone more firm, his hand cupping Carlos’ cheek to hold his eyes. “No he couldn’t have. Because when you made the decision to come help me, you knew that you would be close enough to get there in time in case something happened. And even if it had happened, it would have been as much my fault for not checking that my boots weren’t too small for the stirrups before I got up on Harvey in the first place.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Carlos protests. “You couldn’t have known-”

“I could have checked,” TK argues.

“Yeah but. You couldn’t have checked if you didn’t know to check, I could’ve-”

“I knew that I wasn’t wearing actual riding boots,” TK says. “And I did have the brief thought that the stirrups on that saddle looked bigger than I’m used to but I still didn’t think of testing it to make sure it was safe.”

Now TK looks just as guilty as Carlos has felt all day, and Carlos can’t accept that. The boots being too small for the stirrups might be an indirectly contributing factor but it’s such a small thing in comparison to- to- Carlos starts speaking instead of listening to the tiny voice in his head trying to tell him that little, indirect causes and effects are exactly what he’s playing and replaying in his head all day.

“TK,” he insist, pleading almost, like somehow he needs to be the guilty one, “nobody would expect you think of that, and even if you didn't think of it, that’s not- everybody makes mistakes-”

TK raises an eyebrow, stopping Carlos in his tracks as he realizes what he just said.

“You set that up for me, didn’t you?”

“I did. Babe, you have to forgive yourself for the mistakes you make, even when it comes to Jonah. You can’t spend all your time worrying about every single hypothetical or everything that could’ve gone wrong or worse in hindsight. You’re meticulous, you’re responsible, and you’re a great parent, and you make us both feel so safe. Look at me,” he insists, and Carlos didn’t realize he’d been averting his gaze. “There is literally no one I would rather have help me raise my little brother,” he says.

Carlos can feel tears pricking behind his eyes and he leans forward, resting his forehead against TK’s and taking a deep breath, breathing in the scent of his husband as he tries to let the words settle in him, to let them settle his mind that’s been spinning all day since the incident on the riding court.

“I’m making a new rule,” TK says into the space between them. “If it’s something you would forgive me for, you have to forgive yourself.”

Carlos breaths out a pained chuckle. It sounds so easy. “I can’t promise that I can uphold that,” he admits.

“I know,” TK says, strong hands rubbing up and down Carlos’ arms. “But I’ll be here to help.”

“Aren’t you scared at all?” Carlos asks.

“Of course I am,” TK says. “But I have you and that makes me ten times less scared than I would have otherwise been.” And then, after a pause, “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Carlos whispers back.

TK scoots closer, soft lips finding Carlos’ in a kiss that he immediately reciprocates, sinks into, the taste and feel of his husband comforting and familiar yet no less like the small pleasure-punch to the gut that it always is, like all his love and his insecurities and his desire have reached up through his nerve endings to his lips to feel the love TK is sending through soft presses of his own to Carlos’.

His body lights up like soft embers, quick to respond as it always is when he already feels laid bare, when TK opens his lips and tilts his head a bit, adding a little more suction to the next kiss as he catches Carlos’ bottom lip between his own, his hands coming down from his to rest, one on his knee and one higher up on his thigh. Still, Carlos doesn’t want to start anything he can’t finish.

“I’m not really in the mood for anything tonight.” He sounds dramatically solemn to his own ears as he breaks the kiss, thumb rubbing over TK’s hip where soft skin meets waistband beneath the fabric of his shirt, to soothe the rejection.

“Really?” TK teases softly, eyes crinkling as he tries and succeeds in lightening up Carlos’ mood. “Not even a little making out?” he wraggles his eyebrows. “You’re almost always in the mood for a little making out.

It’s true, Carlos is almost never not in the mood to make out with his husband; how could he be? His husband is gorgeous and strong and spontaneous; and cool and silly and adorable sometimes, and surrounded by the smell of him, both masculine and sweet mixed in with a bit of sweat from being strong for his family all day, he automatically leans back into him..

“I’m kidding you know,” TK murmurs, their lips back to being inches apart. The hand on Carlos’ knee has crawled backwards, playing instead with Carlos fingers where they rest on TK’s own knee, and his other hand has moved from Carlos’ thigh to running though his loose curls, respecting his request for their touches not to be leading towards anything sexual. “You don’t have to be in any kind of mood.” He doesn’t have to say it, doesn’t suspect Carlos of leaning back in because he feels pressured to, but he’s checking in anyway and Carlos appreciates the way they’ve always been good at communicating like that, the way it’s always made him check in with himself too.

“I know,” he says, for now just enjoying the closeness of breathing each other’s air, of TK’s soft caresses making him feel more and more like himself again.

“What do you want?” TK asks, the ‘say the word and you have it’ meaning behind his words clear in his tone of voice, in the soft and inquisitive look in his eyes.

Carlos licks his lips. “Maybe we can cuddle for a bit? I want to hold you.” He says it even as his eyes drift to TK’s lips that are still wet from the kissing, to his jaw speckled with day-old stubble. After a beat, he adds, “we can make out a little too..”

“Oh, we can?”

He smiles. “Mhm.”

This time it’s Carlos who opens up first, asking for TK’s tongue and sighing when he feels it running expertly over his lips, the touch grounding more than anything now that it’s for sure not leading anywhere; he feels a little like he’s levelling the playing field again, things settling into place inside him after feeling on edge and like a burden TK had to carry on top of everything all day, when he chases TK’s tongue with a deep sweep of his own, and when he breaks the kiss again to mouth at TK’s jaw, feeling the stubble tickle his sensitive lips, TK’s breath tickling the shell of his ear..

“Papas?” comes the small echo of a voice from down the hall, interrupting them.

They’re untangled and on their feet in seconds, TK reaching the end of the hallway first and gently creaking the door to the small room Jonah is staying in all the way open. Jonah is sitting up in bed, his clear eyes illuminated from his nightlight indicating that his little mind has been spinning too rather than sleeping since they tucked him in. It’s a trait that Jonah unfortunately shares with Carlos.

TK is in the room first, Carlos hovering just in the doorway.

“What’s wrong?” TK asks, crouching beside the bed. “Is your foot hurting?”

Jonah shakes his head, biting his lip, his eyes big and round and worried. He looks so much like TK sometimes.

“Papa Carlos?”

Carlos walks into the room and perches himself on the bed on the other side from TK, careful so as to not jostle Jonah too much.

“Yeah, mijo?”

Jonah looks at TK too, gaze flickering between him when he asks. “Can I still come back and ride again?”

Carlos meets TK’s eyes, his furrowed brows mirroring Carlos. It’s TK who answers as Carlos runs a hand through Jonah's hair. “Of course you can,” he says softly. “Why did you think you couldn’t?”

“Because I fell off and I wasn’t very good and I didn’t pull the reins when you said,” Jonah explains in a small voice, looking at Carlos.

“Oh baby,” Carlos says. “You did so good today, nothing that happened is your fault,” he reassures.

Jonah still looks worried.

“It’s okay to feel a little afraid after today,” Carlos says.

Jonah hurriedly shakes his head, hair creating a little soft propeller around his head. “I’m not afraid!”

“Okay,” Carlos agrees. “But it’s okay to be. Even if you are, you can still come back and ride,” he assures.

“Maybe I am a little bit,” Jonah admits. “But I still wanna come back. And, Uncle Judd says, you have to get back up after you fall off and you’ll stop being afraid!”

“That’s true,” Carlos says.

“And I’m not mad at Sparkles!” Jonah tells them, open eyes like that’s important they understand that. “Because she didn’t do it on purpose,” Jonah reasons.

“That’s right mijo, it’s good you can forgive her,” Carlos says, feeling proud of his kid. Out of the corner of his eyes he can see TK smiling too.

Jonah still looks like there’s something that’s nagging his mind.

“Is there anything else you’re worried about, sweetie?” TK asks, stretching his arm up to add his hand to Jonah’s hair. Carlos feels his fingers brush against his own.

This time the question is directed at Carlos only as he speaks his biggest worry out loud.

“Do you think Harvey is mad at me?”

This question doesn’t puzzle Carlos any less than the first one, but it’s as easy to answer.

“Of course not, mijo. Do you remember what I told you yesterday?”

“That Harvey loves me?” he says, in a small voice.

“That’s right. Do you remember all the reasons why?” Jonah nods.

“There is one more reason,” Carlos says. “Do you want to know what it is?”

“What?” Jonah asks, eyes wide.

“Harvey loves you because he knows I love you,” Carlos tells him.

Jonah looks thoughtful for a moment, processing his words, and Carlos has a lump in his throat but Jonah is good at breaking the tension.

He smiles a toothy smile. “And because I give him carrots!”

Carlos laughs and kisses his head. “That, too.”

Jonah looks worried again though. “Even though I scared him?” he asks.

“What do you mean, mijo? With the geese?”

“No, when I fell off and hurt my foot,” Jonah explains. “I wasn’t very brave because I cried a lot and then Harvey got scared.”

“Mijo,” Carlos says, hoping Jonah will believe him. If he can do anything to prevent his kid from becoming as prone to guilt spirals as he himself is, he will try as hard as he can. “Harvey was already feeling scared from the rabbit, and he probably got scared because I was scared and horses can tell really well when people are feeling scared and that can make them scared too sometimes.”

“You were scared?” Jonah asks, like that’s the part that’s difficult to believe.

“Yep,” Carlos says. “I was scared because I love you very much and I was worried that you were hurt, and sometimes I think that things are my fault that aren’t too,” Carlos confesses.

“Oh,” Jonah says.

“And,” Carlos says, holding Jonah’s gaze, because this is important. “It’s actually very brave to cry sometimes, but it’s also okay to not be brave all the time.”

“Really?” Jonah asks, looking to TK for confirmation. Carlos notices his husband’s eyes look a little shiny. “Really,” he confirms.

Jonah responds to that with a big yawn.

“Do you need anything else before we go? Some more water? The potty?” Carlos asks and receives a look.

“Carlos,” Jonah’s little voice says, deadpan. “I still have a full glass and I just went before bed.”

Carlos registers TK snorting beside him as he recovers from the whiplash. Maybe this is what parenting will be like from now on, or at least the next couple of years; going from comforting his kid like he’s still little, only to be sassed the next.

They make sure Jonah’s comfortable and burritoed into his blankets once more before they leave, one forehead kiss from them each turning to two, to three, until Jonah is squirming and laughing and telling them to stop because ‘no tickling after bedtime!’ which is apparently a new one on the list of rules in their household, and apparently only papas are required to uphold the household rules even when they’re not even in their house.

TK takes his hand once they’re back in the hall and leads it up to kiss the back of it.

“I’m proud of you,” he says simply, and Carlos finds he is too.

The next morning finds Carlos back in the stable, this time with perched Jonah on his hip, a freshly wrapped purple bandage around his swinging foot as he feeds Sparkles a carrot, brave enough to hold his flat hand still a little longer while Sparkles retrieves it with her long lips before he pulls it away, giggling. Then he reaches up like Carlos showed him yesterday, rubbing at her soft nose and beneath the lock covering the white spot between her eyes.

They've spent the morning packing up

“I’m not mad at you for making me fall,” he tells the pony, who is busy sniffing Carlos’ jacked pockets for more treats. “I know you didn’t do it on purpose.” He’s silent for a bit, thinking, then he adds, “but please don’t do it again,” making Carlos smile.

Next they go to Harvey’s booth, and Carlos has to admit the goodbye tastes bittersweet on his tongue. All things taken into account, at least Jonah and Harvey meeting each other went well. Carlos didn’t expect this weekend to be such an emotional rollercoaster; but then again, maybe he should have. Harvey turns his head as Carlos pats his neck, his eye looking into Carlos and Carlos gets the weird feeling he knows exactly what the rollercoaster journey Carlos was on consisted of. He’ll miss him until he can come back to visit.

Carlos takes the last carrot out of his pocket, and gives it to Jonah, who is even more careful but equally as brave as he feeds it to the mouth that could swallow a hand twice the size of Jonah’s.

Afterwards, he pushes his nose against Jonah’s hand, asking if there’s more and making Jonah laugh. “Papa Carlos, he wants more!”

“We don’t have any more, mijo,” Carlos says. “But here, you can give him this.”

He takes a sugar cube from his pocket that he had planned to give to Harvey himself, putting it in Jonah’s open palm. “Here. Remember, open palm, fingers together,” he reminds Jonah, putting his own hand underneath his small one and keeping it open, so they can feed it to Harvey together. Jonah follows instructions, only a little nervous as the gentle giant sniffs his hand, warm breath blowing against both their hands as he blows it out through his nostrils.

He’s ever so careful as he takes the tiny sugar cute, as if he’s perfectly aware of the value of the little hand underneath it.

“I’m sorry I scared you,” Jonah says to Harvey. “And that I wasn’t being very brave.”

Harvey huffs like he did when he met Jonah two days ago, nudges at Jonah’s belly as if he wants to argue.

“See?” Carlos says, “he forgives you and he says he thinks you are a very brave boy and that he likes you very much.”

“Really?”

“Yep,” Carlos says, and there are no traces of doubt in Jonah's wide eyes and thrilled smile, that his papa is telling the truth.

Before they turn to go, Harvey nudges Carlos' chest too, and at first Carlos thinks he’s just searching for more sugar cubes. But then he lets out a huff of air again, this one louder and more prolonged.

“He forgives you too, Papa Carlos!” Jonah exclaims.

It doesn’t matter that Jonah is just repeating the sentiment, that he doesn’t know all the thoughts that plagued Carlos for all of yesterday, or for all the years long before he even met him; Jonah can be right even though he doesn’t know just how right he is.

As Carlos rubs his friend in his favorite spot beneath the mane and just behind his ear, he feels the warm breath of Harvey's next huff hit his hand that is securing Jonah on his hip as Harvey leans his whole forehead against Carlos’ chest. With it, he feels the last remnants of his guilt from yesterday dissipate, the same way Harvey could take it away all those years ago - the guilt, the dread, the loneliness, the self loathing. It dissipates until it’s only him, his husband's little brother and adopted child, and his old friend in the stable. Past, present and future.

On the way out to the car where TK is waiting for them, Jonah asks, “Papa Carlos? Horses can’t really be part dinosaur, can they?”

The sun hangs high above the horizon, bleeding orange and purple across the sky as TK drives the car onto the main road. In the rearview mirror, the ranch shrinks. Jonah presses his hand to the window.

“Bye, Harvey,” he whispers.

In the passenger seat, Carlos turns for one last look at the ranch—all of it is swallowed by the trees. A soft, heartfelt sigh escapes him. “Bye, Harvey,” he murmurs.

TK’s hand finds Carlos’ knee, his thumb rubbing a slow, comforting circle over the denim. No words are needed.

“Papa Carlos?” Jonah’s voice, small and thoughtful, pipes up from the back.

Carlos turns. “Yes, mijo?”

TK glances in the mirror. Jonah’s brow is furrowed in serious consideration. “I’ve decided,” he announces. “I want to be a cowboy when I grow up.”

Carlos’ smile widens. “A cowboy? You know what cowboys do?”

Jonah nods. He holds up a finger. “They ride horses.” A second finger joins the first. “They say ‘shoo’ to geese.” A third finger. “They cook meat under the stars.” TK’s heart swells—he’s literally describing Carlos’ entire weekend resume. “And…” Jonah’s nose scrunches up. “They also have to be brave when they get poop on their boots.”

Carlos, who was taking a sip of water, sputters, choking on a laugh that turns into a cough. “Yep,” he wheezes, thumping his chest. “They… they have to be very brave about that.”

“Poop protocol is paramount,” TK quips, unable to help himself.

Jonah nods, utterly solemn. “Being a cowboy is tiring.” As if to prove his point, he lets out a massive, jaw-cracking yawn that seems to consume his entire face, then slumps back against his car seat like a sack of potatoes.

A comfortable, final silence descends, filled only with the purr of the engine and the whisper of the tires. For a full, blissful minute, TK thinks their little cowboy has finally surrendered to sleep.

Then, a small, sleep-muffled voice drifts forward. “Papa Carlos?”

“Yes, Jonah?”

“Do cowboys have to marry horses?”

“Well," TK begins, the joke leaping from his lips before his brain can engage the emergency brake. "Your Papa Carlos married a stal—”

Carlos’ hand flies over TK’s mouth with formidable speed. “TK,” he hisses.

TK snorts so hard with suppressed laughter he accidentally slams his hand on the steering wheel, honking the horn. The blare is deafening in the quiet car, making Jonah jump and Carlos flinch.

“I, uh… no, mijo,” Carlos manages, slowly, carefully removing his hand from TK’s mouth as if disarming a bomb. “No, they definitely do not marry horses.”

“Oh.” Jonah processes this final piece of life-altering information. “Okay.”

And with that, true silence finally falls. TK keeps his eyes on the road, his shoulders still shaking with silent laughter. Carlos slumps back into his seat, the adrenaline from the weekend clearly having drained him. From the back, the only sound is the soft, even breathing of Jonah dreaming.

A smile touches TK’s lips. His big cowboy and his little cowboy completely wiped, utterly spent, and his to take home.