Carlos looks down at you, from where you are sprawled on the couch. He sighs, and leans down, coming to sit beside the couch, his head resting by your arm. It's clear that he's upset, as he still has tear tracks coursing down his face. Eventually, he comes to rest peacefully, having pulled the couch out into a bed after lifting you up.

He's strong enough that he can hold you to him for a moment with one arm, pulling the bed out with the other.

He settles you back down and lays down next to you, curling protectively around you and throwing an arm over your waist. He toes his boots off and unties his bandana with his free hand, tossing it aside. He runs his free hand over the heavy layers of bandaging covering your shoulder, and his eyes tear up again, coursing down his face freely.

You had taken a bullet for him. You, the sarcastic, smart, small, strong, and foreign but soon best friend and love, had taken a shot for him so he wouldn't die. You, the little FBI agent who helped save his life against Vaas.

He sighs heavily and closes his eyes, but then presses a delicate kiss to your forehead, gently showing his affection toward you. He then promptly proceeds to death glare you and says, in a typical Carlos fashion, "You aren't allowed to die on me. You can't go. You have to stay." He tucks his other hand in your, now shorter, dark hair, and curls around you, and falls asleep.

I wake slowly, feeling groggy and fazed and holy shit did my shoulder hurt, but I was alive. And sleeping next to... Carlos. He was awake too, his eyes betraying his relief and astonishment at seeing you awake.

"Hey." I murmur, and curl into him a bit more.

He adjusts the blanket a bit more over you, and holds you close, careful not to hit your shoulder.

"You're awake. Oh my god."

"Yeah. Thanks for staying with me."

"Anything. Especially after what you did for me." He says, tears welling up again.

I nuzzle against his chest, and stay close, the pain receding from my shoulder already.

He scootches down a bit, so his face is level with yours.

I look up and gaze at him. "You're not hurt?"

He splutters in astonishment and then does the thing he always wanted to. He leans forward, tilts his head, and presses a gentle kiss to your lips.

My eyes widen briefly, but then they drift closed, and I kiss him back gently.

He pulls away, blushing.

I just grip onto his shirt with my good arm, and hold him close my face buried in his neck. I pull away after a second, and kiss him again, an actual kiss this time.

He makes a "mmph!" Of brief surprise, but goes with it, melting into it. He allows you total dominance.

I trail my tongue along his lip, begging entrance.

He opens his mouth in surprise, and I take the invitation, swirling my tongue around his. He responds slowly, and his tongue comes up to slide along mine. He's getting into it now, his hands delicately framing your face, holding you close. His hips brush yours, and his leg slips between your thighs, holding you closer to the glorious heat he's giving off.

I pull away slowly, and look at him, shivering.

"Here." He says. He pulls his shirt off, and scoots under the quilt with you, so you can cuddle against the warm skin of his bare chest.

I take the invite, gladly, and huddle against his warm torso, my nose pressed into the crook between his neck and shoulder. He just smiles gently against your hair and loops his arms around your waist, allowing you total heat from all sides. His hands slowly stroke up and down your back.

I just curl up, press a kiss to his chest, and fall back to sleep. He presses another kiss to your hair and falls back to sleep as well.

When I wake in the morning, I slowly open my eyes and start in surprise. I'm laying on top of Carlos, my ear over his heart, and my legs tangled with his. I slowly look up, and blush in astonishment when Carlos is looking down at me as well, eyes softened in fondness.

"Carlos? What time is it?"

"Nearly three. Have a nice sleep?" He's petting my hair, running his large hands through it and then down my back. I purr softly when his hands stroke just the right spot on my back, loosening the tense muscles. He stops for a second, then, with deliberation, presses down as he passes his hands over it. I totally relax, laying on top of him still. He smiles gently, and gently searches for knots throughout my back, careful of my sore shoulder.

He keeps this up for a while, and eventually, the two of you doze off again, him holding you close with his arms around your waist. I just hold him close, my lips pressed in a kiss to his heart.