Chapter Text
Charles woke up slowly, his mind emerging from the depths of sleep like a diver breaking the surface of the water. He lay there for a moment, eyes still closed, savoring the lingering warmth of the bed. The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the city outside, and the soft rustling of the sheets as he shifted lazily.
Gradually, he opened his eyes, blinking against the dim light filtering through the curtains. The ceiling above was a familiar, comforting sight, a silent witness to his many mornings spent in this quiet reverie. He turned his head slightly, gazing at the empty space beside him, the imprint of where another body lied a few hours ago. Charles felt the familiar ache in his chest that had settled there over the past two years. The morning light illuminated the empty space beside him, a space that Max had occupied less and less as time went on. Despite having grown accustomed to Max's distance, the hurt lingered beneath the surface, a constant reminder of the emotional gap between them
Stretching, he felt the pleasant pull of muscles waking up, his limbs heavy and reluctant to leave the cocoon of blankets. His mind was still foggy with sleep, thoughts drifting like autumn leaves on a slow-moving stream. The day awaited him, but for now, he allowed himself a few more moments of peaceful solitude.
Charles lay in bed, eyes half-open, debating whether to succumb to the comfort of his blankets or face the day ahead. With a deep sigh, he made the decision to get up. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he felt the cool floor beneath his feet, a stark contrast to the warmth he was leaving behind.
He trudged to the kitchen, the morning still holding a sleepy calm. The familiar space greeted him, yet it felt different, a reflection of how his life had transformed since moving to Austin and meeting Max. He set about making coffee, the ritualistic motions grounding him in the present moment.
As he measured out the coffee grounds and filled the pot with water, his mind wandered back to the day he arrived in Austin. The city had been a whirlwind of new experiences and emotions. Meeting Max had been the catalyst for much of the change. Max, with his easygoing nature and infectious enthusiasm, had drawn Charles out of his shell and shown him a side of life he hadn't known he was missing.
The coffee maker gurgled to life, Charles smiled faintly, remembering the countless mornings they had shared over cups of this very blend, discussing dreams, fears, and everything in between. His life before Austin seemed distant, almost foreign—a stark contrast to the vibrant, albeit sometimes chaotic, existence he now led.
Pouring himself a cup, Charles took a moment to appreciate the simple pleasure of a quiet morning.
Charles sat at the kitchen table, absently munching on his toast while the radio murmured in the background. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of the morning’s crisp chill wafting in through the open window. He reached for his mug just as the news segment came on.
“This is NPR News, and in breaking news, Austin residents are on high alert as another victim has fallen prey to the Austin stalker who has been terrorizing the city for months. The latest victim, identified as a local businesswoman, was found early this morning. Police urge everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.”
Charles paused mid-bite, the piece of toast lingering near his mouth as he listened intently. The radio continued with details about the investigation, mentioning patterns and urging the community to stay cautious.
He sighed, setting the toast back on his plate. Being a paramedic, he was all too familiar with the grim realities of violence and loss, but hearing about the serial killer's latest victim sent a shiver down his spine. His thoughts drifted to Max, his husband who is a detective. The stress and danger he faces daily weighed heavily on him.
The broadcaster’s voice droned on, discussing police efforts and community but Charles’s mind was elsewhere. He glanced at the clock, knowing Max had headed out to another grueling day. The thought of Max out there, potentially facing the killer, made his heart race.
Finishing his coffee, Charles tried to shake off the unease. He knew the importance of his work, but it didn’t make the fear any easier to bear. He turned the radio down, preferring the silence over the grim news, and focused on finishing his breakfast.
Charles glanced at the clock and realized he had just one hour before his shift started. Despite having a friendly boss and essentially working under his father, who was also the captain of his captain, Charles didn't feel comfortable with the idea of being late. He quickly began preparing for work, his mind drifting back to the last few weeks.
It had been two weeks since he and his dad had spent any time together outside of work, which might not seem long to some, but for Nico Roseberg, it felt like an eternity. Charles used to work as a firefighter under his dad, but then he got his dual certification and became a paramedic. Now, their shifts were different, their relationship had always been close, especially after his mother's passing. His dad was not just a father but a best friend and confidant, and now, they were each other's only family.
Nico was a unique character, full of energy and unabashedly himself. His vibrant personality was a stark contrast to the often serious and structured environment of their work. This made him well-loved and respected, but also sometimes unpredictable. His unrestrained enthusiasm and genuine nature were qualities that Charles admired deeply, even if they sometimes clashed with his own more reserved demeanor.
As Charles dressed and grabbed his things, he felt a pang of guilt. He knew how much his dad cherished their time together, and he made a mental note to arrange something special for them soon. Their bond was strong, and despite the demands of work, Charles wanted to ensure that they didn't drift apart. The thought of his father's warm smile and encouraging words gave him the motivation to hurry through his morning routine.
With a final sip of coffee, Charles left the house, ready to face the day and determined to make time for his dad.
---
Charles arrived at work feeling energetic, a rare burst of optimism coursing through him. Today was going to be a good day; he could feel it in his bones. His job as a paramedic provided a welcome distraction from the turmoil of his personal life—his absent husband and their crumbling marriage were weights he could set aside here, focusing instead on the immediate and tangible needs of his patients.
As he entered the station, he immediately noticed his captain, Sebastian, climbing into the ambulance. The urgency in Sebastian's movements was unmistakable—they had a call. Charles needed to change quickly. Sebastian, with his meticulous and organized demeanor, was more than just his captain; he was family. As his father's best friend, Sebastian had become a fixture in Charles's life, offering steady guidance and occasional exasperation with his pedantic nature. Despite this, Charles respected and liked him immensely.
Charles swiftly changed into his gear, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline. He joined Sebastian in the ambulance, and they sped off to the scene. Upon arrival, they were met by the patient sister who explained the symptoms of the patient.
Sebastian had already been briefed by dispatch about the patient’s condition: a woman with a failing pacemaker due to a low battery. As they approached, Sebastian began instructing Charles while simultaneously gathering the patient's medical history. Charles assisted in transferring the woman, Miss Garcia, onto the gurney, ensuring she was securely attached to the monitor.
As they worked, George, who was a very efficient and dedicated paramedic, recited everything he knew about pacemaker failures with his usual calm precision. "When pacemaker batteries start fading, patients might experience symptoms due to pacing changes designed to conserve battery life," George explained as he helped lift the patient. "At around six months of battery life remaining, they enter the ERI—Elective Replacement Indication—phase, which lasts about three months. During this phase, the pacemaker is still fully functional, and patients shouldn’t feel any changes in pacing. However, after these three months, they enter the EOL—End of Life—battery period for another three months. That's when they might start noticing symptoms because the pacemaker cuts back on many of its regular functions."
Miss Garcia, who had been awake but very anxious, began sweating and panting as she listened to George’s information dump. Charles shot a glare at George, who immediately realized he had said too much. Five years ago, Charles changed his career as a firefighter to a paramedic, initially encountering friction with George. Over time, their relationship evolved as they learned to appreciate each other's strengths. To the point that two years ago, George was Charles's best man at his wedding, their relationship changed from uneasy colleagues to close friends.
Sebastian quickly stepped in, his tone calm and reassuring. "Miss Garcia, you're going to be okay. Your condition is stable right now. We're going to get you to the hospital, where the doctors will decide on the best action plan for your condition."
---
The day had been long, filled with a relentless stream of calls. Charles found himself regretting his earlier optimism about it being a good day. From rescuing a cat stuck in a tree to responding to a major accident and a suicide attempt, the shift had been anything but easy. As the end of the shift drew nearer, fatigue weighed heavily on Charles. He was hungry, utterly exhausted, and drained. The humidity made him sweat profusely, adding to his discomfort. All he wanted was to go home and cuddle with Sassy, Jimmy, Leo, or even their pet lizard.
In reality, what he truly longed for was to return home to his husband. He envisioned a comforting evening: his husband cooking a nice meal, engaging in lively conversation with Max, and then relaxing with a warm bath before cuddling in bed and drifting off to sleep together. Knowing this wasn't currently possible, he settled for the company of their cats, dogs, and any other animal he could find solace in.
---
An hour before the end of his shift, Charles decided to take a moment and check his social media. Opening Instagram first, he came across a picture posted by Enzo. It showed Derek, his baby brother, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, flashing his toothless smile and twinkling eyes. The caption read, "Little fella's first day at kindergarten." Seeing Derek reminded Charles how much he missed his brother.
Derek was Charles's half-brother from his mother's side now four years old. After their mother's death, Derek was raised by Enzo, whom Charles had grown to love deeply. Enzo had been a constant presence in Charles's life, akin to a father figure, especially during times when his father was too busy advancing his career to become a respected captain in his field. Deep in thought, Charles stared blankly at his phones screen, his brow furrowed in concentration. His mind was a whirlwind of memories,
"Charles," a familiar voice called out gently.
He turned to see Nico, his father, standing beside him. "Hey, Dad," Charles greeted, offering a faint smile.
Nico's expression softened with concern. "It's been a while since we've spend time together. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm okay," Charles replied, trying to reassure him. "How about you? How are things going?"
Nico nodded. "I'm doing great, but I miss my son," he admitted with a sigh. "Now that I'm getting older, all I want is to spend more time with my boy."
Charles felt a pang of worry for his father, though he knew Nico was only 49 and healthy as they come. Nico noticed the concern look on his son face, Nico knew he was likely overthinking again. Sensing his son’s unease, Nico decided to gently steer the conversation in a different direction and swiftly changed the topic, perhaps sensing Charles's guilt
"Are you and Max joining me next week, or are you heading to the farm to visit Sophie?" Nico asked, shifting gears. Since Max's father passed away, he and Charles made it a habit to visit Sophie, Max's mother, regularly. Max visited whenever he can which’s twice a month, while Charles visit his mother in law weekly. He enjoyed her company, especially when Max wasn't around, as he doesn’t have to pretend.
Charles answers gently, "I'll check with Max about our plans and let you know later today."
Nico nodded appreciatively. "Sounds good, Charles. No rush." he makes a mental note to talk to Max about their plans for the upcoming week. Charles smiled and leaned back in his chair, thankful for the chance to redirect the conversation. Before he could say anything more, Nico, ever the conversationalist, shifted gears.
"You know," Nico began thoughtfully with a glint of excitement in his eyes, "I've been thinking about redoing the garden layout. Maybe adding some more roses and dahlias this time."
Charles chuckled, knowing how much his father enjoyed tinkering in the garden. "Sounds like a good idea, Dad. Those roses always look amazing." "And you know, Charles," Nico interrupted, "I've been thinking about getting a new sports car. Something fast and sleek!"
Charles chuckled softly, teasing his father gently. "Dad, I thought you were all about being an environmental advocate now. A sports car isn't exactly eco-friendly."
Nico gave him a serious look, his expression earnest. "I know, I know," he admitted, leaning back in his chair. "That's why I'm planting all these trees in the backyard. It's my way of giving back to the planet." Charles couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at his father's reasoning. "Giving back to the planet by buying a sports car?" he muttered under his breath, shaking his head with a smile. "Must be Nico Roseberg logic."
Nico chuckled warmly at Charles's reaction, understanding his son's skepticism but also enjoying their banter. They continued to chat as they waited for the end of Charles's shift.