#911 Lone Star fanfiction

[eclectic-sassycoweyes]

Checking myself for racist microaggressions in fandom

Some thoughts I had about how to check myself for micro aggressions in fandom turned into a checklist of sorts. With the encouragement of Andie @paperstorm it resulted in this post that then Neha @theghostofashton was so kind to offer a read-through of before I posted it to help fill in potential blanks and rephrase where needed!

So, something I noticed about my initial reaction to seeing more talk about microaggressive takes and behaviors resurging with the new season airing, was that there was this tiny part of me that went: ‘oh no what if I’ve done something wrong.’ I found this interesting because I think that that’s a pretty human reaction, and one that we all need to unlearn, even if it is rooted in the intention of being a Good and non-racist person.

Because I think that this is part of what can lead us to distance ourselves from the racism that exists in fandom, and to adopt the belief that ‘It can’t be me contributing to this problematic behavior because I’m not racist’, serving as a defense against the risk of being perceived as, or perceiving oneself as, a bad or racist person.

So when that reaction hits, we need to practice channeling those intentions into asking instead ‘what can I do from here on out to help my fellow fandom members who are PoC be able to enjoy fandom without having to encounter racism and microaggressions?’

That means not asking ‘what if’ but instead acknowledging that we are all at risk of contributing to microaggressive behaviors because of both societal and in-fandom mechanisms, that can cause implicit bias to be strengthened and affirmed in the fandom through us adopting each other’s takes, perceptions, interpretations and headcanons. So if I want to avoid being a part of the problem, that means checking myself too. So:

Point 0) I should assume that I have made mistakes in the past and that I will make them again in the future, as that puts me in a better position to be a good/not racist person than assuming the opposite I.e. If I perceive myself as in any way immune to being part of the problem of racism in fandom, then that in itself puts me more at risk of becoming part of the problem.

1-5: Checking my perceptions, takes and beliefs:

Is it important to me to be someone who is not racist, to not exude racist behaviors and to not contribute to racism in fandom? (the point here is of course, as we shall see, that checking this point isn't in itself enough, but it puts me in a better position to check the rest of the list. Being willing to continually learn and grow in this area is what will take me from non-racism to anti-racism).

Is my empathy and focus equally distributed between white and non-white characters? If my empathy and focus is unequally distributed between characters, I need to check with myself whether that could be symptomatic of racist bias. Example: do I notice TK being sad more than I notice Carlos appearing stressed and anguished in 5x01? Do I pay attention to Carlos being absent more than I do to him making an effort to be present? Is it easier for me to emphasize with TK feeling alone and worried than Carlos feeling alone and grieving?

Am I allowing non-white characters the same ‘negative’ emotions as I allow the white characters, also when those emotions lead to what I perceive as bad decisions or transgressions? 

Example: Am I allowing the characters of color to be petty, angry, aggressive, sad, proud, annoyed, worried, insecure, vengeful, grieving and acting with basis in those emotions without it negatively affecting my perception of them as people as much as I am the white characters? I.e. is Carlos walking out the door in 4x04 bc of worry and frustration, worse in my mind than TK walking out on Carlos in 2x04 bc of hurt and anger? Do I emphasize with Carlos for being worried and mad at TK for breaking their agreement to give Iris time, or TK for feeling hurt and ‘wrongly accused’ of having contributed to Iris going missing? Do I validate Carlos as much for acting on for not being ready to introduce his boyfriend or TK for being hurt by being introduced as a ‘friend from work’?

Am I making up valid excuses for the characters of color the same way I am for the white characters? There is so much we don’t see in canon. Parts of storylines, motivations and reasons for why the characters act the way they do, resolutions to conflict or lack thereof that we have to make up ourselves. Example: When TK or Carlos hasn’t explicitly apologized for causing the other hurt in canon, do I excuse that by either assigning them valid reasons for their actions thus deciding that they don’t need to apologize or by headcanoning that the apology does happen, just outside of canon where we don’t see it? Am I able to do this for both of them equally or for TK only? When Carlos struggles with Cooper, and TK not opening up to him in 3x13, do I consider him jealous or do I see him as having valid human emotions such as insecurity and a wish to be there for his partner? When Carlos works late do I assign him reasons of selfishness, vengefulness or indifference towards TK, or do I emphasize with why he’d feel the need to seek justice to a point where that’s difficult to balance along with his marriage i.e assign him reasons such as grief, feeling like no-one else is looking for the killer, and subconsciously seeking closure for his complicated relationship with his father?

Checking my writing and posting:

Focus and empathy/POV: Is there an uneven distribution between white and non-white characters in terms of who and which storylines I write/post about, whose feelings and motivations I focus on in my writing, who I make an in depth analysis-post about? - If there is an uneven distribution between white characters and characters of color, have I taken the time to really consider why? (see also point 2).

Does my writing risk feeding into stereotypes? 

Example: Do I always write Carlos as strong, hypermasculine and dominant and holding the role of support/caretaker for TK? Am I painting Carlos’ parents and his relationship with them as bad, homophobic and neglectful in an un-nuanced way whereas TK’s relationship with his parents are being written as healthy and unproblematic? In my writing, is Carlos seeking out his father’s killer on his own written as problematic whereas Owen taking matters of justice into his own hands, shooting/punching someone is forgotten is validated/heroic?

When writing characters of color, am I being extra mindful of how I write them? This doesn’t mean writing them as I would any white character and thinking box checked. Being mindful sometimes means writing characters of color differently to account for experiences related to them being a person of color and to consciously avoid speaking into or affirming harmful narratives. I should also be considering doing extra research and/or maybe seeking out a sensitivity reader.

Making myself aware of harmful narratives going around in the wider fandom in order to make sure that I don’t risk accidentally affirming them with my writing. Example: right after 5x01 aired a narrative started going around that the state of Tarlos’ relationship was worse than what canon made it out to be. A lot had read Rashad’s interviews, were excited for all the angst to come, and were not getting the happy, newlywed Tarlos we had been hoping for, so for some this speculation/interpretation either didn’t have racist motivation or didn’t have the intention of being micro aggressive. However, that narrative was in some places interconnected with the narrative that Carlos was to blame and of him being a neglectful husband even though canon had shown him as both putting in effort to spending quality time with TK, and being in pain and overworking himself trying to balance a very traumatic situation for which he was not to blame in the first place. All we knew at that point was that Carlos had come home late at least more than 1 time. Speculating that their relationship is in a worse state than canon shows, and writing extremely angsty spec out of love for angst isn’t necessarily or always problematic in itself. But this narrative going around in a way that is intermingled with unsolicited hate and blame directed at Carlos, means that a post that might not otherwise come across as microaggressive, becomes problematic as it risks affirming those narratives if not written very mindfully in terms of focus, empathy and implied blame, and containing the necessary disclaimers. 

Checking this point means listening closely when the PoC in the fandom are making us aware of racist microaggressions taking place/resurging, even if I feel like I for the most part ‘enjoy not seeing it’ on my dashboard. Me feeling like I'm not seeing it on my dashboard, doesn't mean it doesn't exist both in other places and on my dashboard but just in ways where I'm not clocking it as harmful.

Disclaimers - Using the examples from above, if I want to make that thorough analysis if TK’s facial expression the moment Carlos says he isn’t going to be home or I want to write the angstiest spec fic, I need to make sure to add the necessary disclaimers to make sure I don’t feed a problematic narrative that’s going around. Other people don’t know my intentions and can’t read my thoughts. So even if I don't intend to, if I’m not being conscious not to, my post risks hurting fandom members of color and affirming views that might be harmful. 

Examples of disclaimers could be: “I don’t believe that it’s going that bad overall or that Carlos is to blame/isn’t also going through it/missing TK those nights but I found TK’s expressions really interesting in this moment because..” or “It doesn’t seem like it’s every night he doesn’t come home and they seem so happy otherwise but there is just so much that could make TK worry about him and their marriage..” or “it’s so clear how much they love each other and how hard Carlos is trying to balance his marriage and grief/search for justice but the way in which it might remind TK of his parents/past addiction is so interesting..”

(It might also be relevant to check out point 2 and 5 on whether my focus and empathy is equally distributed). 

Calling it out or making sure to gently make OP aware, and moderating or showing my disagreement when I see racist/micro aggressive takes, also when those takes are posted by my friend who I believe didn’t have racist intentions with it. This isn’t saying that I should call out any and all posts that focus on TK or are super angsty. But if a post is speaking into or at risk of affirming harmful narratives, a simple “This is such an interesting take on how TK’s trauma could contribute to him worrying about their marriage! I think it’s really important rn to point out that Carlos isn’t to blame for this situation though. He’s in so much pain too��. Calling each other out/gently making OP aware or moderating/disagreeing with a take in the tags is also a way to stop a potentially harmful narrative from surging and being further affirmed and adopted in the fandom. 

Important end notes:

Checking point 0 puts me in a better position to check point 1-10.

Checking point 1 does not automatically make me check point 2-5, I still have to continuingly reflect and think critically about my own takes and perceptions.

Checking point 1-5 does not mean I automatically check 6-9. I still have to be making a conscious effort to check my writing and posting as I am otherwise at risk of affirming a microaggressive take going around in fandom, or in society. Actually, I risk accidentally doing so even when I am making an effort not to. 

Which is why I need to also check point 10.

We need to help carry the weight of making fandom a safe, comfortable and fun space for the people of color in it, so that that weight doesn’t rest solely on their shoulders. Because fandom should be a place that is equally as fun, safe and comfortable for PoC as it is for white fandom members, and right now it isn't. Assuming that I am not immune to being part of the problem to stave off anxiety or a negative self perception, but instead channeling those intentions into a purer sense of empathy for my fandom members of color and and deciding to do the constructive work of checking my perceptions, my takes and my writing, and helping to call out and moderate potentially or obviously microaggressive and racist takes when I see them, is a way to do that.

[melancholyghoul]

Why Four Alarm Fire fics work so well in my stupid gay/poly brain:

• Carlos is a Power Top

• TK is a Sub Bottom

• Buck is a Sub Top (mostly, but does bottom)

• Eddie is a Power Bottom (mostly, but does top)

[ironheartwriter]

Carlos gets home late one night after closing a case, fully expecting the loft to be empty as last he heard TK was in California, waiting to come home after helping put out some wildfires. TK, however, had different plans.

Rating: E (Explicit sexual content)

Read it here on AO3!

[emsprovisions]

Hi y'all! I read so many Tarlos fics this past month so I wanted to do a little highlight of some of my favorites! It was honestly very hard to narrow down the one shots but I tried 😂

Oneshots

Rain on Me by @ironheartwriter Rating: Explicit Word count: 6,622 Why I liked it: Lana has become such a dear friend in such a short time and I said one little thing in a tumblr ask response and something like two days later she busted out 6k words of pure magic! I love this fic, it's so sweet. We get to see our boys have some downtime to themselves and they truly truly deserve it!

breathing deeper than i've ever done by @your-catfish-friend Rating: Explicit Word count: 4,693 Why I liked it: This fic is so hot! This fic is heavy on senses, particularly the sense of smell. There's a part towards the end that really makes me insane where TK and Carlos are taking a shower together and it smells like "TK-and-Carlos" which makes me insane because they really are One.

Butterflies and Sky-High by @paperstorm Rating: Teen and up Word count: 8,031 Why I liked it: Demi!Carlos my beloved. I strongly subscribe to this headcanon and Andie, as always, you have executed it so beautifully! I loved this exploration of Carlos's labels, his spiral, his conversation with Paul, how he finally talked to TK about how he feels, it was all so beautiful.

This is The Sound of You Here and Now by @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut Rating: Mature Word count: 3,040 Why I liked it: I was sick with a cold and asked for sick fics of my boys to get me through those trying times. J, thank you so much for delivering! This was beautiful and genuinely it made me cry. I love how they take care of and love each other.

Long fics

Right Before Your Eyes by Goody Rating: Teen and up Word count: 19,894 Why I liked it: This one is so much fun! It feels like watching an episode, it is that realistic. Your characterization was amazing! Also poor TK, he suffers so much already and we just put him through more! But this was still really good! (and if anyone knows their tumblr, please let me know so I can properly tag them!)

to build a home by @freneticfloetry Rating: Explicit Word count: 63,872 Why I liked it: I don't think I will ever recover from the feels this one gave me. I love Carlos exploration fics. I love how well the angst was balanced with fluff and spicier scenes! I'm working on a wip rn that has definitely been influenced by the layout and flow of this gorgeous fic. It's melancholic in the best way, beautiful, and true to character. I won't stop thinking about it any time soon.

Series

Missing Moments by @paperstorm Works: 34 Complete: no Why I liked it: special shoutout to the fic from this series, Homeward Bound because I think about it often. I really, really love this series. Sometimes I confuse details from canon with details from these fics because they feel so canon to me. We needed the background scenes and you have more than delivered, Andie! Love this series so much and I can't wait to see what you do with the rest!

wherever you stray, I follow by @strandnreyes Works: 2 Complete: no Why I liked it: My latest obsession is this series. TK and Carlos are soulmates and now they get to live for eternity. Sometimes it's a bit bittersweet, especially in the second part, when Carlos thinks about all the changes that will happen to them someday, but they have each other and all the love and time in the world and it is beautiful. I love the setting, I love author Carlos, and I love how you adapted all the other characters and how seamlessly they fit into their roles in Castine. This au is gorgeous and I found myself wishing I didn't have to leave that world so soon. I can't wait for the next installment! I am excited to see where you might take it.

[captain-gillian]

keep my hand in yours

nancy/marjan, marjan pov, rated t. 3,462

An out-of-control truck barrelling towards the scene of an accident that the 126 are responding to forces both Marjan and Nancy to confront feelings they’ve been trying to avoid.

She’s desperate to run to Nancy’s aid. But that’s normal, right? It doesn’t mean anything. It’s just because Nancy is her friend—her best friend—and it’s normal to be scared when your friends are in danger. She was scared when TK got shot, not this scared, sure, but she didn’t know TK as well back then. She felt a lot like this when she found Paul unconscious though, but again not quite the same. Everyone feels like they’re dying when their friend is in danger, don’t they? It’s just fear—a normal, expected amount of fear. Concern for a friend and nothing more. It can’t be more because she can’t be in love with Nancy. She can’t be. The room doesn’t get warmer, or the walls closer the way Salim described, so it can’t be love, right? Sure, Nancy is perfect, and when she texts Marjan, it makes her feel warm and fuzzy inside. Sure, she’d do anything just to see Nancy smile, and on occasion, she’s wondered—just briefly—what it might be like to kiss those perfect, plump lips, but everyone thinks these things sometimes, don’t they? Everyone has the occasional girl crush, but it doesn’t mean anything. 

read the rest on ao3

@nancys-braids this one is for you for the @911lonestarevents fic exchange.

i hope i did your nde/getting together prompt justice, even if it has to be in two parts.

p.s. keeping this a secret from you has been torture, i am not built for secrets! anyways, please enjoy <3

[literateowl]

Seven Sentence Sunday + a fic anniversary

Posting this one to celebrate the 6 month anniversary of my 2x02 Carlos POV fic. Here are the first seven sentences exactly. You can read the rest at the link at the bottom.

Carlos returns to the precinct after safely bringing Lily home. The young woman thanked him repeatedly for rescuing her from the food truck full of scorpions and the lava encroaching. He hadn't had the time to react at the moment but the memory now makes him shudder and his skin crawl as he pulls into the parking lot. He sits in the quiet car for a moment listening only to his own breathing, taking a little bit of time for himself before he goes to see whatever chaos is undoubtedly happening inside for everyone on this nightmarish shift.

“Dispatch requesting additional engine and RA units to relieve station 126 at 4548 Green Street.”

The small amount of calm that Carlos managed to grab onto is gone as soon as he hears the station number over the radio.

No.

Thank you to @ironheartwriter @captain-gillian and @carlos-in-glasses for tagging me already today

💜 Open tag as usual and also for @lemonlyman-dotcom @carlos-in-glasses @bonheur-cafe @tellmegoodbye @heartstringsduet @alrightbuckaroo @thisbuildinghasfeelings @nancys-braids @whatsintheboxmh @nisbanisba @sugdenlovesdingle

Also thank you to every one who tags me when I don't have anything to post. I'm sorry if I forgot to tag you back today 💖

[thisbuildinghasfeelings]

Hi! I will be starting us off with the fic rec game this week! I can't believe we're already on Week 4...and the penultimate week of Season 1!

Here are the prompts for this week’s fic rec game:

Fics occurring in mid to late Season One (This week’s episodes: 1x07 Bum Steer & 1x08 Monster Inside) and featuring:

Buttercup!

Billy and Owen as friends/rivals/frenemies/etc.

Owen, TK, and the rest of the 126 coping with Owen's cancer diagnosis and what it might mean for the future

TK in his gunshot-related coma

Carlos coping with his strong feelings after seeing TK in a hospital bed

the 126 gathering in a hospital waiting room

The rules are simple: every week there will be a different prompt, and everyone is encouraged to share a fic (or a few!) recommendation that meets the prompt and tag a few fic-reading friends. The game can be played all week, so no pressure to post right away. I will kick us off with a few recs and then I’ll tag some folks below to get us going! Please feel free to use the banner above, to make your own, or to not use one at all!

Finally, please use the tag ‘Rewatch Read-Along Week 4’ and at the end of the week @911lonestarrewatch will post the link to the tag for the comprehensive list of fic recs!

Thanks to @guardian-angle22 for the banner!

Collateral Damage by @paperstorm

This is the 1x08 installment of the Missing Moments series giving us the events of the episode from Carlos' point of view. It also contains a line that's a favorite of mine, when Carlos says to coma TK “I haven’t convinced you to let me love you, yet.” 😭 I think about this line all the time!

Lucky Dog by @lightningboltreader

This is an adorable little AU meet-cute featuring Buttercup as TK's wingpup.

Something to Lose by @thatnerdemryn

A look into what was going on in Carlos' mind when the shooting happened and as he sat by TK's hospital bed. He's feeling some strong feelings!

echoes by @redshirt2

Carlos bonds with the 126 for the first time in the hospital waiting room. I particularly love this one because it emphasizes how much love entered Carlos' life when he met TK. He didn't just get a soulmate, he got a whole family!

take me back to the light by @reyesstrand

This post-1x08 fic was written immediately after the episode aired so it's essentially a lovely little canon-divergent AU now. It particularly makes me wish that Carlos had been there when TK woke up from his coma and also makes me wonder how that might have changed things. At the very least, I think TK would have felt some feelings at actually seeing Carlos next to his hospital bed!

Tagging some fic readers who might have recs to share: @lemonlyman-dotcom @paperstorm @carlos-in-glasses @reyesstrand @strandnreyes @redshirt2 @bonheur-cafe @alrightbuckaroo @herefortarlos @im-overstimulated-and-im-sad @heartstringsduet @liminalmemories21 @lightningboltreader @fangirl-paba @reyestrandd @chicgeekgirl89 @firstprince-history-huh @noxsoulmate and OPEN TAG for anyone else who wants to share some fic recs!

[snowviolettwhite]

🧸🧸🧸

little boy don't you cry, cause the child in you is still alive - 911: Lone Star Early 2010s FanFiction AU (Chapter 12 Snippet) For Make Me Write & Fuck It Friday

Sorry it is late and trying to get back into writting

Meanwhile, outside in the hallway.

“Owen, what happen? Why is our kid in the hospital?”

“A teacher found him trying to start a fight with an older boy, he was yelling at and shoving him. He ran off before she could stop him.”

“Owen, I spoke with the school too. I already know all of that. How did find him and why does it look like he has been crying?”

He does not know how to break this to his ex-wife and the mother of his child. “All I know is what the school told me, but I found him in an abandoned building. All his stuff was scattered around. There was a bottle of oxy an- and he was practically gone. He had overdosed. I had to give him compression and Narcan. He came back to us throwing up and was crying non-stop. He clung onto me and couldn’t feel his legs, I had to carry him on the ambulance. I managed to get him calm, but he still hasn’t told me what happen.”

Gwyn, heartbroken and shocked “Owen, he overdosed on drugs Oxycodone. Where would he even get his hands on that?  When I learn who gave him those drugs they are going to pay? That older must have been bullying him or something. It could have triggered this whole reaction. When I find that drug dealer and whoever was causing him pain, they are in for it. Tk is going to grounded for a long time. He was going through this all alone and we didn’t notice at all. Oh, our sweet boy.

---

Tagging But No Pressure:

@anewkindofme @missmagooglie @the-flaming-nightmare @aroeddiediaz @tommykinard6 @warpedpuppeteer @lochnesswriter @babygirl-diaz @laneybishop89

[connieluvsr]

DUTY CALLS / series / 1

pairing : police officer carlos reyes x paramedic tk strand

genre : 911lone star universe, fluff, angst, smut, more to be added

summary : “A glimpse into Carlos and T.K.’s dangerous lives, balancing the chaos of emergency calls with quiet moments. A series.”

warnings : violence, trauma and medical emergencies, mental issues health, substance abuse, natural disasters, homophobia and discrimination, injuries, profanity, frightening and intense scenes, sexual scenes, sweet moments of carlos and tk lol and HOT CARLOS

link to ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/59486755/chapters/151710301

a/n: hi and welcome to a series of daily stuff thats going on in carlos and tk’s lives, like unadded scenes if you prefer, i like to imagine that’s happening on a daily basis, and i absolutely despise that we don’t see them on the field together 99% of the time. hope you enjoy and happy reading!! i’ll be uploading this on my ao3 too, it’s tarlosstape (ik)

______________

911 Call Dispatcher: “911, what’s your emergency?”

Caller (panicked): “There’s a robbery happening right now! It’s at the corner store on Fifth and Maple. They’ve got guns—oh my God, they’re shooting! People are hurt! I—please hurry!”

The storm outside rages, wind howling through the streets as rain pounds relentlessly on the city of Austin. Lightning flashes, casting brief, eerie shadows over the scene. The police scanner crackles as Officer Carlos Reyes listens closely while gripping the steering wheel of his patrol car. He’s already on his way, lights flashing, sirens blaring, the wet roads slick beneath the tires.

“Shots fired. Multiple injured,” the dispatcher confirms over the radio.

Carlos swerves onto Maple Street, skidding slightly as he pulls up in front of the store. His sharp eyes scan the chaos—shattered windows, civilians crouching behind cars for cover, and two masked gunmen, backing out of the store with bags of cash and weapons in hand. One man already lies bleeding on the sidewalk.

Carlos doesn’t hesitate. He pulls his gun, stepping out of his vehicle and shouting over the storm, “Austin PD! Drop your weapons!” His voice cuts through the thunder and rain, firm and commanding.

The robbers hesitate for a split second, then one makes a run for it, bolting down the street. The other, more reckless, raises his weapon toward Carlos. Without missing a beat, Carlos fires, hitting the man in the shoulder, causing him to drop his gun and crumple to the ground. Carlos sprints forward, kicking the gun aside and cuffing the injured man before calling for backup.

More police vehicles arrive, but Carlos has already started pursuing the second suspect, rain blurring his vision. Just as he rounds a corner, he tackles the man, pinning him to the ground with practiced precision. Sirens wail in the background, backup arriving as Carlos handcuffs the second robber.

Minutes later, as the rain continues to pour, the sound of an ambulance cuts through the storm. T.K., Nancy, and Tommy pull up in their paramedic vehicle, the flashing lights reflecting off the wet streets. The trio quickly exits, medical bags in hand, ready to help the injured.

Carlos, soaked and standing over the now subdued suspects, turns as T.K. strides toward him. For a brief moment, they exchange a glance—a silent nod between them, full of mutual respect and understanding. T.K.’s eyes linger on Carlos just a bit longer, checking in silently, before he gets back to work.

Nancy is already kneeling beside the man on the sidewalk, assessing his gunshot wound, while Tommy coordinates with the other first responders. Despite the storm, they work with practiced efficiency, moving between the injured civilians, checking vitals, and applying pressure to wounds.

As the chaos slowly subsides, Carlos watches the team in action, relieved but focused. T.K. meets his eyes one more time before loading the injured into the ambulance, giving him a small smile despite the tension of the moment. Both know their jobs are far from done.

——————-

An hour later, Carlos stands in the dimly lit Austin police station, dripping from the relentless storm outside. The buzz of fluorescent lights hums overhead, echoing through the busy place as officers hustle between desks, phones ringing and paperwork piling up. Carlos leans against the desk, typing up his report, his soaked uniform sticking to his skin. He wipes a bead of water from his forehead and sighs, exhaustion creeping in.

Just as he finishes entering his statement about the robbery and arrests, a familiar voice calls from behind him. “Reyes,” Detective Ortega steps into view, clipboard in hand, her sharp eyes scanning him. Ortega is seasoned, with graying hair pulled back into a tight bun and a no-nonsense demeanor. She always gets straight to the point.

“Those two you brought in tonight—real pieces of work,” she mutters, sliding into the seat across from him. “We’ve got them booked, but I need you to walk me through what went down. The DA’s gonna want details, and I don’t want any gaps.”

Carlos nods, setting his report aside. “Two suspects—one I managed to detain on the scene, and the other made a run for it, but I caught up to him around the corner. The first guy—took a shot at me. I returned fire, hit him in the shoulder. Called in for backup right after.” He runs a hand through his damp hair. “They both had weapons, and there were multiple injuries inside and outside the store. Paramedics team handled the civilians.”

Ortega studies him for a moment, her expression unreadable, then flips through her clipboard. “Ballsy move, engaging them alone in that storm. You know the risks,” she says, her tone almost reprimanding but softening as she continues. “But good work. The one you shot is being patched up at the hospital under guard. The other one… he’s gonna talk. We’re looking at possible connections to a larger string of robberies.”

Carlos leans forward, crossing his arms. “This wasn’t just a random hit?” he asks, narrowing his eyes.

“Not according to what we’re digging up. The guy you tackled—he’s got priors. Armed robbery, assault. But this particular group? They’ve been linked to a couple of heists in the city’s outer limits. We think tonight was them testing the waters, seeing if they could push into downtown. Your call-in might’ve stopped something bigger.”

Carlos nods, absorbing the information. “Glad we got them off the streets before anyone else got hurt.”

Ortega glances up from her notes, giving him a small but approving smile. “You did good tonight, Reyes. You and that paramedic team. The fact that you can keep your head straight in a situation like that…” She trails off, but Carlos knows the unspoken weight behind her words. She respects his instincts, but she’s always cautious when her officers get too close to danger.

He shifts in his seat, feeling the tension in his shoulders ease a little. “Thanks, Detective. I just want to make sure we stay ahead of this. If these guys have been pulling jobs outside the city, they’re bound to try again.”

Ortega raises an eyebrow. “Which is why I want you in on the follow-up. I need someone on the ground who knows the streets, knows how these guys operate. You up for it?”

Carlos doesn’t hesitate. “Absolutely.”

She scribbles something down on her clipboard, nodding in approval. “Good. Get yourself dried off, and then go home. You’ve earned it. We’ll debrief tomorrow morning.”

Carlos stands, ready to head out, but before he leaves, Ortega stops him with one last remark, her tone lighter. “And, Reyes… check in with that paramedic of yours. He looked at you like he was gonna have a heart attack when he saw you at the scene.”

Carlos feels a flush rise to his face but manages a smirk. “I’ll check in with him,” he replies, his voice carrying a hint of warmth as he walks away, shaking off the adrenaline of the night.

Carlos: Hey baby, you good?

A moment later, T.K.’s reply buzzes back.

T.K.: im fine, but are you? that was intense. just don’t get shot again pls

Carlos wipes his hair with a towel as he finishes typing a message to T.K., leaning against his locker in the station’s changing room. His fingers fly across the screen.

Carlos : Of course, coming home in a bit. Just gotta change out of these soaked clothes.

He tosses his phone on the couch and starts peeling off his wet uniform. The heavy storm outside has left the air thick and damp, even inside the building. He grabs a dry towel from his bag, running it through his hair and over his skin, before pulling on fresh jeans and a t-shirt. As he fastens his belt, he hears his phone buzz again.

T.K.: good, im waiting with hot tea and something hotter :*

Carlos smile got wider, feeling warmth flood through him. After the night he’s had, the thought of being home with T.K., sitting in the dry comfort of their apartment, is the only thing he’s looking forward to. He tosses the towel in the corner, ready to head out.

But just as he’s about to close his locker, his radio crackles to life.

“Reyes, we need you back in the field.” It’s Ortega, her voice sharp over the line. “There’s been another incident at the same location—deeper than we thought. The storm’s making it worse. Backup’s already on the way, but I need you to roll out.”

Carlos’s stomach drops. He glances at his reflection in the mirror, barely able to believe what he’s hearing. He was just there. The scene had been secured, the suspects apprehended, and the injured civilians taken care of. But now, with the storm intensifying, it sounds like the situation has escalated into something far worse.

He reaches for his radio. “Copy that. I’m on my way.”

The rain beats down hard as Carlos arrives at the scene. The corner store, once just the site of a robbery, now looks like a disaster zone. Water floods the streets, pooling up to his ankles as he steps out of the car. Emergency lights flash through the downpour, illuminating the chaos. The wind howls, bending trees and sending debris flying down the street.

Carlos quickly scans the area. A power line has come down across the road, its live wires sparking dangerously close to the rising water. Civilians are trapped inside nearby buildings, unable to leave with the flooding making the streets impassable. Ortega’s already there, barking orders at a group of officers trying to cordon off the area.

“Carlos!” Ortega shouts as she spots him approaching. “We’ve got a mess. That live wire hits the water, and this whole area could turn into a death trap. We’re evacuating the nearby buildings, but we’re running out of time. The rain’s only getting worse.”

Carlos nods, quickly assessing the situation. He watches as emergency responders scramble to move people out of harm’s way, their boots splashing through the rising flood. The power line swings in the wind, just inches above the water now.

“We need to keep the civilians as far from this as possible,” Ortega continues, her voice barely audible over the storm. “I need you to take that side,” she gestures toward a nearby alley where a group of people are huddled under an awning, trapped by the water on both sides.

Carlos doesn’t hesitate. He moves swiftly toward the alley, wading through the water as the rain slashes across his face. The civilians look at him with a mix of fear and desperation, their eyes wide as the storm rages around them.

“Everyone, listen up!” Carlos shouts over the wind. “We’re getting you out of here, but you need to stay calm and follow me.” He motions toward a narrow path that leads away from the main street, where rescue teams are setting up a safer evacuation route.

One by one, he helps the civilians through the flooded alley, guiding them away from the live wires and into the arms of waiting responders. The rain keeps coming, harder now, making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead. Lightning cracks in the distance, casting brief flashes of light over the darkened city.

As the last of the group makes their way out, Carlos glances back toward the power lines. The water’s rising faster than expected, creeping dangerously close to the sparking wire. He radios in quickly. “Ortega, we need that power cut now. It’s about to hit the water.”

“Working on it,” she responds, tension thick in her voice.

Carlos watches, heart pounding, as the line sways in the wind, just inches from the flood. Minutes pass like hours, but finally, the sparks stop, and the line goes dead.

With the civilians evacuated and the power line neutralized, Carlos allows himself a brief moment to breathe. The rain keeps pounding, but at least, for now, they’ve managed to prevent a disaster.

Hours later, the rain has eased, though the city is still reeling from the storm’s impact. Carlos stands at the edge of the scene, drenched and exhausted, watching as the last of the emergency vehicles pull away. The corner store, now eerily quiet, remains a stark reminder of how quickly things can spiral out of control.

Carlos finally makes it home, the rain still drumming against the streets as he steps inside. He’s soaked to the bone, every inch of his body heavy with exhaustion. The quiet of the apartment is a stark contrast to the chaos of the night, but it feels like a different world as he closes the door behind him, shutting out the storm.

The soft glow of a nearby lamp casts a warm light over the living room. T.K. is asleep on the couch, a blanket half-draped over him. His chest rises and falls gently, completely unaware of Carlos’s entrance. The room is peaceful, but a glance around shows signs of waiting: two plates of food on the table, untouched, and a cup of tea sitting beside one of them, long gone cold.

Carlos feels a wave of warmth, despite the cold and wet clinging to him. He quietly shrugs off his jacket, hanging it on the hook by the door, careful not to wake T.K. The sight of him asleep, clearly having waited up, tugs at something deep inside Carlos—part relief, part gratitude. It’s been a hell of a night, and this is exactly where he needs to be.

He moves to the table, noticing the now-cold dinner that had been thoughtfully prepared for him. He presses his lips together, feeling guilty for being so late without any explanation. Still, the effort T.K. put into making sure he’d come home to something comforting doesn’t go unnoticed.

Carlos walks over to the couch, crouching beside T.K. for a moment, watching him sleep. The tension of the night begins to fade as he just breathes in the calmness of the room.

Gently, he places a hand on T.K.’s arm, not wanting to startle him but knowing he should get him to bed.

T.K. stirs slightly, blinking awake. His eyes flutter open, and it takes him a second to register Carlos kneeling next to him. “Hey…” his voice is groggy, still heavy with sleep, but his brow furrows when he sees how soaked Carlos is. “You’re… completely drenched.”

Carlos gives a tired smile. “Yeah, the storm got a lot worse. I’m so so sorry I’m late.” He gestures to the table. “I see you waited up for me.” He whispers softly, kissing his forehead.

T.K. sits up, rubbing his eyes, glancing toward the cold tea and untouched food. “I wanted to make sure you had something to come home to.” He looks Carlos over again, concern creeping into his voice. “But you look like you just swam here.” He adds worried.

Carlos chuckles softly. “Feels like it.”

T.K. moves, standing up and placing a hand on Carlos’s cheek, the warmth of his touch a welcome contrast to the cold that has been biting at him all night. “Come on,” T.K. says quietly, “Let’s get you out of these wet clothes and into something warm. Don’t worry about the food.”

Carlos nods, his body grateful for the offer. He follows T.K. into the bedroom, where the familiar comfort of home begins to sink in, each step pulling him further from the chaos of the night.

As they enter their bedroom, T.K. helps Carlos out of his wet clothes, carefully peeling off the soaked layers and tossing them into the laundry basket

“You really are drenched,” T.K. comments, running a hand down Carlos’s arm. “You need to get warm. Take a hot shower. Unless you want to catch a cold.”

Carlos smiles, appreciating T.K.’s gentle touch and concern. “A hot shower sounds perfect,” he replies, his voice still heavy with exhaustion. He glances back at T.K., a teasing glint in his eyes.

“You wanna join?” He smiles as he kisses his neck softly.

T.K. shakes his head, stifling a yawn. “I’d love to, but I’m too tired. I’ll just wait for you here.” His eyelids droop slightly, betraying his weariness.

“Okay.” He nods, heading toward the bathroom.

As Carlos steps into the shower, the hot water cascades over him, easing the tension in his muscles. He takes a deep breath, allowing the warmth to wash away the chill from the storm and the stresses of the night. He can hear T.K. moving around in the bedroom, but the sound quickly fades.

After what feels like too long, Carlos finishes up and steps out of the shower, wrapping a towel around his waist. He can still hear the rain outside but feels a sense of calm settling over him. He takes a moment to look at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, pushing back the fatigue and ensuring he’s presentable for T.K.

Once dressed in a pair of comfortable sweats and a soft t-shirt, Carlos heads back into the bedroom. He usually just wears boxers, but he feels he should be warmer tonight. The dim light casts a soft glow over the room, and he sees T.K. sitting on the edge of the bed, head tilted back against the wall, eyes barely open.

“Hey,” Carlos says softly, a smile creeping onto his lips at the sight of T.K. trying to fight off sleep.

T.K. stirs at the sound of Carlos’s voice, blinking a few times before forcing a smile. “It’s 1am. we should be up at 9am maximum.”

Carlos chuckles softly, gently nudging T.K.’s knee with his own. “Fuck, I know.” He sighs and wraps his arms around TK, closing his eyes, TK does the same.

“I’m so sorry we barely have time with each other, sometimes I wish I had a boring job.” Carlos adds, kissing his head.

“Don’t worry.” TK whispers as he lets his head fall on Carlos’ shoulder.

“Everyday is the same, we wake up, go to our jobs, maybe if we’re lucky we have the same case on that day, then see each other at night where we don’t even have time to eat.”

With a sigh, TK replies in whisper “Carlos I’m too sleepy to reply to that.”

Carlos chuckles. “I hate you.”

“I love you.”

“Yeah, me too.”

——————

a/n: hope you enjoyed ! chapter 2 is already posted!

wc: 3k

[do-androids-dream-ao3acc]

Thanks a lot for tagging me, @typicalopposite, I'm dying to show something of my upcoming Tarlos fic (and if there's anybody out there who might be interested in a Lone Star AU according to this idea I had a couple of days ago, please let me know, I'll tag you!).

Here we go, something from chapter 2 (right now, I'm almost 10,000 words and 6 chapters in):

Gabriel was buried in Austin Memorial Park, where he was in illustrious company, including Frank Hamer, the Texas Ranger who hunted down Bonnie and Clyde. Carlos didn’t believe that his father had achieved anything similar, despite all his merits. He had not been a celebrity, not an extraordinary man. Not even an exceptional father. Nevertheless, without his mother having to ask him, he had filled in the application to have his father's grave adorned with the Texas Rangers Memorial Cross. 

Carlos had thrown himself into the preparations for the funeral like TK had done for their wedding: with a plan, a lot of perseverance and an almost manic precision. The funeral needed to be perfect, and he was obsessed with the idea that this would give him a chance to get to know his father better. He was the one to sort photos for the obituary, who drew up the guest list for the funeral service and selected the silk for the coffin lining. He permitted his mother to choose the flowers because it meant a lot to her, but he didn't allow anyone else to help. 

TK, who knew a thing or two about grief and how everyone experienced it differently, orbited him like a cautious satellite. Carlos was grateful that he held back, because if he hadn't... If he’d bridged the gap that Gabriel Reyes’ death had created between them, with just one word, Carlos would have collapsed. He felt TK's concern and love, but he kept himself on the edge of that affection so as not to be swallowed up by it. 

Despite everything, he felt numb as he stood at the grave, pouring a shovelful of soil six feet under. None of this brought him closer to his father, neither the eulogy nor the tributes from his superiors, and certainly not the many hands Carlos shook from people who told him what a good man Gabriel had been. In the church, he asked TK if that was true. 

“Was he a good person?”

TK squeezed his hand, whispering,  “He was, Carlos. A good man who raised a fantastic son. You have reason to be proud of him."  

He probably had, but the question was whether Gabriel had ever been proud of him. His father had only told him once, just before the wedding, when Carlos had been too nervous to put on his bow tie. Then he had held Carlos's hands in his own, looked at him and said, “You've become a great young man, Carlos. I'm proud of you.” 

[eclectic-sassycoweyes]

Since Monday I’ve had thoughts about how TK’s hair appears fluffier than ever and Carlos’ hair appears more cropped short and gelled down than ever and what symbolism that might carry… but thanks to Jen @strandnreyes pointing it out as I recall as well as her, Lana @ironheartwriter and Andie @paperstorm so perfectly writing it out for us in tantalizing detail in Before the Storm and brighter in the morning I now know that is of course just because they are ✨HUSBANDS✨ who are vEry hOt for each other and in loOVE who just had to have each other before work that day😌

And maybe also because Carlos is grieving and stressed and trying to fill shoes that feel too big and something about feeling less in control than ever before and how that all relates to his father both bc of the unresolved feelings there that made Carlos shoulders-in-making-himself-a-bit-smaller. Hair-short-and-gelled-perfectly that he was when we first met him and directly through solving his murder🥺

And how Carlos is feeling a bit stuck in that past (not just the murder but maybe also his unresolved feelings regarding Gabriel) and his storyline is that he has to dive deeper back into that before he comes out the other side (hopefully with curls running wild all over the place) and TK is so ready to be a Husband, fluffy-haired, lizard-feeding, asleep-on-the-couch-at-8 and soft-sweatered, and his storyline is about looking forward to new chapters that move him further away from trauma and into the life he was meant to have but he has to be patient and bring Carlos with him bc that’s who he’s meant to have it with bc they’re SOULMATES and Carlos is in so many ways right there with him but he also just has to have some time to deal with what he’s dealing with right now🥺

This is a weird way for me to also say FIC RECS btw 🥰

[melancholyghoul]

Want to do a Four Alarm Fire kinktober style thing but not in October (obviously) and not confined to dates (i get enough deadlines with my uni work ty)... Just wanna follow prompts and write kinky shit with a loose tie together when I feel like it

[ironheartwriter]

On a rare rainy day off, Carlos intends to stick to his usual routine. Unfortunately for him, his husband has other plans.

Rating: E (Explicit Sexual Content)

A gift to @emsprovisions as this fic was completely inspired by her answer to this ask about how Carlos would spend a day off:

If TK is home too though, Carlos’s favorite thing is just to be domestic in his man’s orbit. He hates sleeping in, but TK has made him learn how to love spending long, lazy hours wrapped up in him in bed on a Sunday morning, or cuddling on the couch, binging a show while rain pelts the large and lofty warehouse windows outside.

Read here on AO3!

[herefortarlos]

Seven (Eight?) Sentence Sunday

Late in the day, but I promised myself and a few people that I would have something for today's seven sentence Sunday!! Thank you for the tags @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut @carlos-in-glasses @carlos-tk @strandnreyes @lemonlyman-dotcom @alrightbuckaroo and for the motivation @welcometololaland and @heartstringsduet! I will strive to include more plot next time, but enjoy what I have today 🥰.

Carlos lets out a breathy laugh, “Are you that close already, babe? I’m not finished with you yet.” He punctuates the statement by clenching around TK’s cock, causing them both to throw their heads back, with TK pushing his feet against the bed and thrusting up into Carlos more to chase the pleasure.

Carlos has such a smug grin on his face and looks so pleased with himself. TK can feel himself getting harder inside of his husband just from looking at him. He’s breathtaking and the most beautiful being TK has ever laid eyes on. Carlos’ curls are sweaty and in disarray as they gently bounce from his movements and fall over his forehead.

Carlos closes his eyes and bites his bottom lip between his teeth, once again focusing on lifting himself up and down on TK's cock. TK loves that he can do this for Carlos, giving him a chance to empty his mind of everything else and get lost in the feeling of being full of only his husband.

Open tag for everyone that happens to see this and wants to share something they're working on!! ❤️

[captain-gillian]

happy seven sentence sunday/happy monday from the future 🐨

thanks for the tags @paperstorm @bonheur-cafe @lemonlyman-dotcom @alrightbuckaroo @lightningboltreader @emsprovisions here’s something fresh out of the wip folder

When she reaches the waiting room, TK helps steady her, it’s standing room only, and even that’s in short supply. There’s first responders—both in and out of uniform—in every chair and lining the corridors. Nancy can see the 122 across the waiting room, and members of the 126 huddled in a corner as Carlos makes the rounds with a tray of takeaway coffees and a box of donuts.

The camaraderie of first responders is unmatched, it’s awe inspiring to see everyone coming together and packing out hospital waiting rooms waiting for news when one of their own is hurt. But it’s also incredibly overwhelming, Nancy is torn between running and collapsing to the floor in a puddle of tears, but her feet feel frozen to the spot again, and so she does neither, she barely even notices Carlos approaching.

“You okay, chica?” He asks, Nancy stares ahead, eyes glassy. Carlos puts an arm around her, “Let’s take a walk.”

open tag and no pressure tagging @nancys-braids @pelorsdyke @fallout-mars @reyesstrand @welcometololaland

[literateowl]

New fic on AO3!!

Title: April Fools

Words 1,620

TK decides to prank Carlos for April Fools Day.

Carlos has a chaotic husband that he loves very much.

Read the rest here!