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Happier Than Ever

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Requested - @thornyrose463

Prompt - After the move from New York to Texas, the gang try to set Y/N up on several dates.

When your dad had first brought up Texas you hadn’t exactly been over the moon with the plan but there wasn’t much you could do to argue against it considering the circumstances surrounding why you were leaving. Besides there was no way TK would have moved out there without you and you would have hated home without him and your dad.

Now though it felt like this place was more like home than New York ever had been, something that you had thought would be impossible a few months ago. You’d had friends in New York of course but they were nothing compared to the friends you’d made in Texas, friends who you saw on a daily basis, friends who felt more like family even after only knowing them for such a short amount of time.

By all accounts not much should have changed for you really, you were working the same 9-1-1 operator job you’d had back in New York, your boss had been great helping with the transfer to the Texas call centre. You were on your way to getting your own apartment which you couldn’t wait for, much as you did enjoy living with your dad and TK.

And yet somehow everything felt different than it had in New York, it felt like you could be yourself here, let yourself enjoy your life properly instead of putting on a show for your friends.

Texas had no bad memories but New York…well New York was full of them. New York reminded you of days spent hesitating to answer your phone in fear of hearing that TK had been found in a ditch somewhere, that he was already dead or that he was too high to move and you had to find him in a drug den. New York was your mom and dad fighting whilst you and TK desperately tried to drown out the shouting.

Texas was better. Texas had a TK who had been clean since being here. It had your dad who seemed happier than you’d seen him in a long time. You hadn’t always been close with your dad, it took a while after the divorce for you and him to sort things out between each other, after countless apologies and talks the two of you were closer than ever.

Then there was TK. You had never not been close with TK, the two of you had been attached to each other's side for as long back as you could remember. Your twin brother, though if you asked TK he’d include the word older in there, he was older than you by a mere ten minutes and damn if he didn’t take the chance to tell anyone you met, always had your back even if it had been rough when he was using and you always tried to look out for him, tried to keep him alive.

You and your mom didn’t particularly get on well, your relationship with her was already strained but when you and your dad started getting along she hadn’t taken it well. You weren’t overly sad to leave her in New York but despite that you would always be grateful to her. She had been the one to do what you never could, she was the one that got TK into rehab and clean.

So when your dad called you one day you hadn’t been scared to answer the phone, TK had been clean for a while now and all the anxiety you had over answering calls was pretty much gone. Of course then he went and undid all that progress by telling you that TK had overdosed and he was in the hospital.

You had been shocked to say the least, devastated at the thought of TK using again. It seemed wrong, you’d seen him yesterday and he had seemed completely fine. It wasn’t until you got to the hospital and after wrapping you in a tight hug your dad told you that Alex had been cheating on TK. Your heart had ached, more so when you saw TK in the hospital bed and his eyes filled with tears as he hugged you.

It wasn’t long after that your dad told you both of the plan to move to Texas, TK was given no choice in the matter, he was leaving New York and he wasn’t going down that path again. Your dad had told you that if you wanted to stay in New York he’d understand, though the gutted look on his face told you he didn’t want that and the look TK had given him told you TK was ready to fight him on it.

You had about as much choice as TK had in the matter though, if your dad and TK were leaving New York then so were you. It’s not like there was much holding you there anyway.

You still remembered the conversation when TK had come over to your apartment, remembered how small he seemed as he curled up on your sofa and apologised that you had to uproot your entire life just because he was a failure. Your heart broke as you took a seat next to him and let him cuddle into you and you had spoken to him well into the early hours of the morning, promising you wanted to be with him and your dad no matter where that was. You knew he hadn’t been fully convinced, you knew it would take more than one conversation to make him believe it, but TK had nodded as you spoke and smiled at you, even if it was only a small one, and it wasn’t long after the two of you had fallen asleep together on the sofa.

From there it had been easier than you had thought to pack your things up and leave New York behind. Sure there was the sadness that came with leaving the place you had grown up in behind but you didn’t feel like you’d regret your decision.

And you hadn’t. Not weeks into being here, not months into being here. It felt easy to make Austin your home, it was easy to find a routine and settle in. It was worth it to see TK smile wider than he had done in New York, to watch him fall in love again with a guy you trusted to take care of him. It was easy to watch your dad make friends and hang out with them whenever their shift ended.

It was refreshing having a set of friends who actually seemed to care about you. You and Grace had made quick friends at the call centre on your first day when you had been introduced to her and placed on the desk opposite her. Conversation flowed easily between the two of you and it wasn’t long before you were meeting up outside of work, going for coffee or grabbing a bite when your shift ended, and being invited over to her house for dinner or drinks.

Life in Austin was good.

“So,” Grace grinned as the two of you walked into the break room after hours of sitting at your desks, you rolled your eyes knowing where the conversation was going. “How’s the crush going?”

That was another thing that was good in Texas. The dating scene in New York hadn’t been for you, sure you’d been on dates and met guys in clubs but actually, properly dating somebody just seemed impossible back there. Not that here was much different, you hadn’t actually gone on a date here yet but there was Ethan. Though you’d protest out loud to it being called a crush you could admit to yourself that it absolutely was one and a big one at that.

You’d met Ethan a few weeks into working at the call centre and after a small talk in the break room you had made your way back to your desk to see Grace already grinning at you. After she had finished teasing you she told you Ethan had lived in Austin all his life and had been working at the call centre for just over two years now. She had told you that from what she knew of him he seemed to be a fairly good guy, no one had said anything bad about him so far.

From there your attraction to the man had grown and while you were pretty sure he liked you too neither of you had made a move, much to not only yours but also TK and Grace’s disappointment.

“There is no crush.” You told her, a smile pulling at your lips at her groan and moved to get Grace’s and your lunch from the refrigerator.

“Y/N, you know I love you but I don’t know how much more of this I can take.” She told you, causing you to laugh as you sat opposite her. “I mean the two of you spend all day sneaking glances at each other, never mind the fact that when you talk he spends more time looking at your lips than anything else.”

“Okay, okay, so there’s an attraction,” you admitted, making her smile widen. “But, I don’t know Grace, I really like him, you know? I mean sure I dated around in New York but there was never anyone who I really liked.”

“Let it happen then, keep talking to him, keep sneaking glances and whatever happens is meant to be.” She told you and you took a deep breath whilst nodding at her.

It had been a long shift and when you walked through the door of your dad’s place, where you would be living for only a few more weeks whilst your apartment was getting ready, you could tell you weren’t going to rest any time soon.

“Hey kiddo,” Owen greeted as he wrapped his arm around you and pulled you into a side hug. “We’re getting ready to head to the bar, you in?”

“Yeah sure, just give me a minute to change.” You told him, watching his smile brighten as he let you go and it wasn’t long before the two of you walked into the bar together, TK already there and as you looked around you could see Carlos at the bar.

“Y/N!” TK grinned as you walked up to him and you couldn’t help but grin back, it was good seeing TK this happy, it looked good on him. “How was work?”

“Shut up!” You groaned whilst pushing him away from you causing him to let out a laugh as he moved back and leaned against you.

“Ok, ok but seriously when are you and Ethan getting together?” He asked and your dad gave you a questioning look. “I mean I see the way your face lights up, no one in New York made you smile like that.”

You couldn’t stop the soft smile pulling at your face as you leaned your head against TK’s shoulder. He was right, you could feel how much lighter you were and whilst it wasn’t all to do with Ethan you were really glad for the move to Texas. All three of you were much happier.

“Same goes for you, TK, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you were half way ready to call it love.” You murmured as Carlos headed towards your group and took great delight in watching TK’s cheeks heat up.

“What are you two talking about?” Carlos asked as he smiled at TK whilst handing drinks out and you saw a few extras, figuring the rest of the 126 would be joining tonight.

“Oh I was just seeing when Y/N was going to go on a date.” TK told him, grinning at you when you shook your head at him even as a smile threatened to pull at your lips.

You had sworn your dad, TK and Grace to secrecy over your little crush. You weren’t sure why, maybe it was because this was the first time you had really been into a guy and wanted to experience it privately before telling them, but all of them had kept their word even if TK found other ways to draw attention to your dating life.

“Have you met anyone here, Y/N?” Carlos asked with a smile, “I know a guy down at the station and I think the two of you could hit it off.”

You glared at TK as you watched his grin grow wider and Owen couldn’t stop a chuckle that he hid behind his glass as he looked between the two of you. Before you could say anything you were stopped by the rest of the 126 joining the table and silently thanked whoever was listening for the change in conversation as the rest of the night was able to continue without a single mention of your love life.

The next few weeks were fairly eventless, something you weren’t used to considering who your family and friends were but you welcomed the quietness. Not much had changed, the call centre took up most of your hours and after a long day you were able to crash in your new apartment which made Texas feel even more like home. Somehow even though you’d moved out of your dad’s house you still found yourself hanging out there after your shifts.

During the week not much happened, there were still the stolen glances across the room from you and Ethan, waiting to see when the other would get up so you could bump into each other in the break room and have lunch together whilst you got to know each other better.

Today you had started out stressed after your phone hadn’t charged meaning your alarm never went off making you nearly an hour late for work and every call from then on seemed to only reach you if it were a matter of life or death. By the time Grace gestured for you to take a break you were more than happy to, not even sparing a glance across the room today but instead just grabbing your coat and leaving the building, needing to be away whilst you steadied yourself.

“Hey,” Somebody called but you didn’t turn around, the streets of Austin were busy so you didn’t think much of it until you felt somebody touch your arm. “Hey, are you alright?”

It was Ethan. You didn’t know what to do with the fact that you felt some of the tension ease just from his touch, from his presence. You hadn’t hesitated to accept his offer of lunch at a coffee shop not too far from the call centre and barely felt the time passing until he checked his phone and his face dropped slightly as he announced the two of you should probably get back to work.

“Wait,” He said as he took your hand in his to pull you out of the way of people walking in the street. “Listen, I really like you, Y/N, and I’ve wanted to ask you out for months but you were new here and I thought it was best to let you settle in before I asked you. I’d really like to take you out if you’d let me.”

You hadn’t been able to stop the smile that spread across your face, your bad morning and the constant flood of calls momentarily forgotten about as you nodded your head and made plans for dinner the coming Friday before making your way back to the call centre, all the while his hand never left yours.

That night you ended up in the bar with the 126 and Grace, Grace who hadn’t stopped shooting you looks all day and seemed unable to stop grinning at you whenever she so much as glanced in your direction.

“Oh hey, Y/N,” Carlos said after everyone already had a few drinks in them, “you never did say if you wanted me to set you up with my friend down at the station.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Judd interrupted, causing you to smile as he raised his hands to look at you, “you’re goin’ on a date?”

You watched as Grace and TK, who had seemingly realised through Grace’s looks that there had been a development, grinned over at you causing you to roll your eyes.

“No, I’m not going on a date with Carlos’ friend.” You told them and Grace nudged your knee causing you to roll your eyes.

“I know a guy up in one of the other houses, real nice guy, why don’t you let me set you up with him?” Judd asked and you shook your head, smile still in place, but before you could say anything Marjan jumped in.

“Wait, my friend knows this guy and he’d be perfect for you, Y/N!” She told you and you couldn’t help but laugh as you finished the last of your drink and stood up to head to the bar, turning towards the group before you left.

“Thank you all but I can find my own dates.” The group's laughter followed you as you made your way to the bar and ordered another drink, smile widening as you felt somebody move next to you before nudging his shoulder with yours.

“You seem happy today.” TK prompted and you shook your head as you leaned into his side, pausing to let him order his drink before you spoke.

“He asked me out.” You told him and looked over at him to see him beaming at you and you couldn’t stop yourself mirroring the expression back. “It might not go anywhere but…I’m excited.”

“I’m really happy for you, Y/N.” TK told you softly squeezing your hand in his and you let out a soft chuckle as you nodded.

“I’m happy for you too, TK.” You murmured, shifting to look at the group but with the exception of your dad and Carlos no one else glanced in your direction. “I know the reason we moved down here wasn’t great but-”

“I’m still sorry about that.” TK interrupted, shifting his gaze from you to the glass he had been handed. “Looking back I know I should have spoken to you or dad but in the moment, everything just seemed so…but I never thanked you.”

“TK I’ve told you a hundred times you don’t have to apologise.” You sighed and watched as he lifted his gaze to you, eyes wide and watery. “And what didn’t you thank me for?”

“For moving here with us.” He said as he tried to blink away the tears and paused to take a sip of his water. “I mean dad’s been amazing with all this, you know, but I couldn’t have done it without you here. I know you uprooted your whole life and I never thanked you for that.”

“TK, you don’t have to thank me either. There was never any doubt that I’d come to Texas with you and dad, I liked New York, hell I thought I loved it there but moving here was the best decision of my life. I know we didn’t move down here under the greatest conditions but you’re good now and I can’t picture being anywhere else.” You told him sincerely, glancing back at the table and smiling softly at the family you had made gathered together.

“I really love you Y/N, I’m glad you’re happy here.” TK said as he pulled you into a hug and you heard him sniff quietly but didn’t say anything as you wrapped your arms around him.

“I love you too, TK.” You murmured into his shoulders and the two of you took a second more before pulling away and heading back to the group.

Months passed since that night at the bar and it was now coming up to being a year since you had moved to Texas. It felt like a whole different lifetime since you were in New York, not realising how unhappy you were as you went about your life until you came to Austin.

Now everything had changed, you and Ethan had been dating for three months and you had yet to tell the rest of your friends. You had told your dad when it was just the two of you at his house, TK out with Carlos for the night, as you both curled on the sofa and played movie after movie. During one of the breaks where you had headed into the kitchen for a food break you had told your dad that Ethan had officially asked you out and that you had said yes. Owen had just beamed at you and pulled you close, murmuring how proud he was of you and how glad he was that you were happy.

You hadn’t needed to tell Grace, that woman knew from the second you sat at your desk the day after Ethan had asked you to be his girlfriend that something had happened. You hadn't even been able to keep a straight face through her teasing, grinning back at her as the two of you leaned across your desks and spoke about the date in hushed voices, missing the fond looks directed at you from across the room.

TK seemed to have whatever superpower Grace had because when he had come to your apartment with takeout and had given you a questioning look before his face broke out into a grin you couldn’t do anything but groan as he came to the conclusion you and Ethan were official. The two of you spent the night talking about your lives since moving to Texas and gushing over your boyfriends.

It was a few nights later you found yourself in the bar, everyone from the 126, as well as Carlos and Grace sat around a table and as always seemed to be the case after a few rounds the conversation shifted to your romantic life.

“I’m just sayin’, she’s been here what nearly a year? I know a guy who I think is good enough to date her.” Judd said and you couldn’t help but laugh as Carlos shook his head and gestured to you.

“I know Y/N and her and Logan would be great together.” Carlos insisted, causing Owen to chuckle as you buried your head against TK’s shoulder, feeling his laugh as he watched the conversation.

“What’s wrong with my guy?” Judd asked but before Carlos could respond another voice cut them off.

“Hey, sorry to interrupt.” He said and your head snapped up from TK’s shoulder to grin at Ethan as you stood up and made your way round to his side, wrapping your arm around his waist, leaning into him as he wrapped his around your shoulder.

“Neither of your guys are good.” You told Carlos and Judd, watching as they frowned whilst looking between you and Ethan. “Everyone, this is Ethan, my boyfriend.”

The look on Carlos and Judd’s face was priceless to say the least, both of them doing a good job looking betrayed as you introduced everyone to Ethan and took your seat next to each other.

“You’ve had a boyfriend this whole time?” Judd asked before he looked at Grace who smiled sweetly at him. “And you’ve known, y’all let me sit here trying to set her up how many times and didn’t think to mention anything?”

“You knew too, right?” You heard Carlos asked TK and laughed when TK just sipped his drink. “She did tell us she could get her own dates.” Carlos shrugged towards Judd who let out a put upon sigh.

“Yeah I suppose she did.” Judd murmured, watching as Ethan excused himself to go and get a drink before he turned his attention to you. “You happy, kid?”

“Very.” You told him without hesitating and if that didn’t tell him everything he needed to know then the smile that was on your face did, he could see you were serious with Ethan, could tell that you were a good pair.

“That boy better look after you, you know?” Judd warned, causing TK and you to laugh whilst Grace nudged his chest.

“He will but if he doesn't, well then I’m sure there will be a line for you to join.” You grinned as you looked over to your dad who just nodded, sat back in his seat looking at ease, not worried in the slightest. He’d met the boyfriend, as had TK, and both of them saw the way you look at each other.

“Damn right.” Judd agreed just as Ethan sat back down and the topic switched to getting to know the man and your friends asking how you got together.

As Ethan spoke you leaned back in your seat and smiled, maybe Texas had never been part of the plan, you had never once imagined yourself settling down here, making a life here, but now you couldn’t picture being any place else. TK was happier than ever, you were happier than ever and so was your dad. There really wasn’t much more you could ask for.

__________

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