#Tarlos fic rec

[rmd-writes]

because I reread them recently, and if you haven’t read them you should, here are Lim’s Enzo fics which I love a lot:

(+1) No more tug of war now, I just know there’s more (Carlos)

through sames of am through haves of give

Looking at it now, it all seems so simple

sorry to the show but @liminalmemories21 Enzo is the superior Enzo

[heartstringsduet]

heartstringduet's fall reads. 🍂

(this list by no means is encompassing all the wonderful fics I read and that deserve everyone's thoughtful comments. I will do more lists soon though. You peeps are so amazing 😭.)

Currently WIPs 💕 i closed my eyes inside of your darkness (and found your glow) by falloutmars S: After losing his mom and moving states, TK finds comfort in a stranger who may need the comfort just as much. A story of loss, love, and learning to live again. I love how careful and tender the different ways of coping with grief are portrayed. Plus, Andrea runs a café, Carlos runs a book club and TK finds his way into being a paramedic.

You Keep Coming Back With A Bird In Your Teeth by vaguenotion S: When a gesture of goodwill is misinterpreted, a patient begins to develop a dangerous attachment to TK. The whole point of the job is to save patients, not to have to be saved FROM them. what can I say but that I chew my arm off each time this is updated. Absolutely love the characterizations, the dialogues and the goddamn tension.

your gentle hands are stained with the blood of anothers by @birdclowns S: Denton Miller was Carlos' first case after being promoted to detective. The serial killer has escaped, throwing Carlos and his loved ones into his game as the next unwilling participants. The stakes are impossibly higher and the rules have changed - it's his husband on the other side of the screen. Such a sucker for a kidnapping story and a cat-and-mouse game and Jasper masterfully strikes a line between scary and intimate i language and plot.

see a friend (see a ghost) by @ambiguouspenny S: TK would always come home to him. It was a dinner table promise wrapped in explicit truth; a vow Carlos would bet his life on. A choice made at the edge of tragedy leaves Carlos living in the aftermath. TK tries to make it right. Weeping, letting the vivid details and the mystery and punchy dialogue keep me up at night.

Where All This Love Comes From by @carlos-in-glasses

S: Six months after Gabriel Reyes’ death, TK grows concerned about Carlos’ drinking and brings him to a meeting at the Y. TK reflects on meeting Carlos after years of addiction and self-destruction, while Carlos has continued to seek closure by uncovering two unknowns: The identity of his father’s killer, and how his father truly felt about Carlos as his son. I recommend anyyything cig writes, because I'm hopelessly devoted to her writing. Anything I read by her is nuanced, poetic, so insightful and heart-wrenching. This only has one chapter but a dialogue that punched me right in the heart.

a long time ago (we used to be friends) by @welcometololaland

S: The exes to lovers, college sweethearts, murder mystery fic where the motto is: be gay, solve crime. I can always count on anything Lola writes to make me laugh and to have me in the throws and woes of my emotions. And this one is one of my favorites of her because I love how she writes them finding their way back into each others life.

Teach You How Forever Feels by @three-drink-amy

S: TK is left with custody of his five-year-old brother, Jonah. With Owen's encouragement, TK moves to Austin for a fresh start, questioning every move he makes as he's thrust into the role of parenthood. But it all leads him to Jonah's new school where he meets Carlos Reyes, the kindergarten teacher. It reads like a warm hug to see TK growing into the role of a parental figure and Carlos be a teacher and read both of them so gone over the other.

Finished Stories 💗 for if i'm going down, i'm taking you with me by @mooshkat and @thebumblecee S: For years now, the rivalry between the Reyes and Strand families has run strong. Since they were young, Carlos and TK have been warned to stay away from the other family and never trust each other, but what happens when a job forces them together? Two contract killers in an enemy-to-lovers scenario? Absolutely loved the journey of this (and the hot smut scenes let's be honest)

The Knave of Hearts . . . brought back the tarts by @liminalmemories21 S: TK exhales and picks up his glass. “The mind boggles. What did Matt want?” “Wanted to ask if I’d heard any rumors about a new art thief nosing around town for targets.” This entire universe of art lover (and former art thief) TK and detective Carlos is so intricate and never forgets to highlight their love even in in well-constructed plot!

to build a home by @freneticfloetry

S: Twenty-five years of chasing hope and happiness and the place where he belongs. Or: Carlos begins, and ends, and begins again, until he gets it right. My heart? Gone. This fic took it and ran with it. Seriously, one of the best character deep-dives I've ever read.

Under A Star Spell by @orchidscript

S: In which Carlos practices folk magic and TK, needing to rekindle something, finds himself on his doorstep. In which two people cross-paths, hope for one thing, and find something else altogether thanks to coffee, vanilla, hyssop, and mint.

The descriptions of Carlos practicing magic is seriously making me weep with jealousy. And the growing love between them in this and the sequel is magic itself.

When I’m Like This by @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut

S: TK Strand hasn’t known Carlos Reyes for very long. He’s slept with him, run out on his attempt at getting to know him better, and been processed by him after an arrest. Despite all of that, TK can’t get over Carlos. When TK gets bad news at an NA meeting, he quickly starts to spiral, and there’s only one person he feels safe enough to run to. The absolute tenderness of this and the rawness of emotions just rubs me open in the best way on each re-read.

Love From the Other Side by @lightningboltreader S: It's Exes to Lovers in One Bed! After two years apart, TK & Carlos find themselves face to face at a three-day training event for Texas first responders. Flirting leads to passion, then misunderstanding and ultimately the heart to heart they've each been craving. The exes in a single bed fic we all need in our life! This has so much tension and made me so emotional at the same time.

Sunshine On My Body, Rainbows Bloomin' In My Skies by @lemonlyman-dotcom S: After Carlos’s bold claim about hiking the Great Wall, TK reveals he’d been an avid hiker before moving to Austin. TK & Carlos go for their first hike together, and maybe learn some new things about each other along the way. Such a beautifully written, funny and heartfelt story that feels like you're overgrown with ivy and the feeeels. A Helping Hand by @rmd-writes

S: When TK’s bathroom sink is flooding and he needs help, pronto, he turns to Grindr to find someone close by. But what happens when the best one night stand of his life walks in the door? Or, the Grindr meet-cute AU

I can always count on Rae to give me grade-a smut with a heap of unbound joy and this is no exception. 29 going 30 by @alrightbuckaroo

S: During a trip to New York City to celebrate TK turning 30, TK and Carlos stumble upon a list of things TK always wanted to do before he turned 30, all of them being references to romantic comedies he loved so much growing up.

Just a biiiig old love letter to both TK and Carlos, to New York and to turning older and making your old wished come true. The night before Halloween by @ladytessa74 S: Carlos and TK have faced many fears in their lives. But has that prepared them for everything? As they get ready to celebrate Halloween with five year old Elijah, monsters lurk in the shadows. The only way to overcome fear is to face it. Tarlos as parents aren't always for me but Tessa has changed my mind! Plus, a little spooky and wonderuflly plotted halloween story never hurt anybody - or would it? come what may, I'll still stay by @strandnreyes

S: Nearly one year into their marriage and TK finds that life looks a little different these days with Carlos working as a detective. He knows change happens, but when the missed dinners start to pile up and the change begins to feel like too much change, TK struggles with how to remind Carlos that life exists beyond his badge.

One of my all time favorites by Jen which is saying a LOT with how many she has blessed us with.

The Firehouse by @paperstorm S: In 2002, TK and Carlos meet in a third grade classroom in Manhattan. 21 years later they meet again, at a nightclub in Austin called The Firehouse. Split between their friendship in childhood and the path that should set them up as enemies, this is such a beautiful story of kinship and eternal love to me. I just adore how Andie writes TK and Carlos - in love in any and all universes.

[wtfuckevenknows]

Tarlos rec list (or a whole lot of my favorite fics (because I'm sure I missed some))

Because I can't do anything half assed this has taken me forever AND you're getting it in categories, in no particular order 🙃🤷🏻‍♀️😬 If you find yourself on here and you don't want to be for whatever reason, let me know! Also if you're on here and I didn't @ you it's because I couldn't find you at first glance, but if you want me to @ you also let me know!

Codas/Tags/Specs/Canon Compliant/Canon Divergence/Post Canon:

Out of the Woods (series) by @liminalmemories21 words are all we have, we'll be talking, we'll be talking (series) by inconocible Season 3 Codas (series) by @marjansmarwani Seven Ways (Back to You) (series) by @welcometololaland "You have one new message ..." by @paper-storm get it right, to get around me by welcometololaland Missing Moments (series) by paper-storm Coming Back by @doublel27 Season 3 Codas (series) by @strandnreyes Knight in Shining Armor by doublel27 not lost (not lost) but found by doublel27 More Cow-Eyes (series) doublel27 An Easy Dare by @noxsoulmate Blood on the tracks, fire in the hills by thenorthface Starting Out by sapphireej tout l'univers by @kiras-sunshine In sickness and in health, in speeding and in no speeding by @good-ways all I know since yesterday (is everything has changed) by strandnreyes Precious Love by @rmd-writes

AUs:

Dr Reyes/Paramedic Strand series by marjansmarwani a flower a day by novaksline Detective AU by strandnreyes what if we could risk everything we have by dazedastrophile as if you were a mythical thing by strandnreyes Begged And Borrowed Time by @iboatedhere on a wednesday in a café i watched it begin again by falloutmars The tender things are those we fold away by @beautifulhigh Home is Found series by alipea Safe Space series by xtinyteenyx The knave of Hearts, he stole the tarts by liminalmemories21 The Flying Sparks 'Verse (series) by @the-communist-unicorn i know now i found (the one i love) by ksmalltalk Welcome to the Neighborhood by courtinator Fireproof by Mari_Marie remind me to forget by orphan_account Yours To Keep, Yours To Lose by iboatedhere one single thread by strandnreyes After all of the years, all of the tears, you are here somehow. by lydiamxrtin to live for the hope of it all by strandnreyes

Sports AUs (my beloved):

Swing For The Fences, Run To The Line by iboatedhere Magnetic North by paper-storm Game, Set, Match (series) by welcometololaland Curveball by @bellakitse

One Shot Collections:

Plaid Shirt Days by iboatedhere Tewnty Five Hundred by iboatedhere tangled in the willows by stormss Silence and Patience, Pining in Anticipation by iboatedhere Prompt Fills by strandnreyes All the ways to love you by bellakitse

Sexy Times ❤️‍🔥:

Educating Mateo by @thebumblecee Mark Me Up by brouiller (the whole series is so fucking good) Skin by paper-storm (we're not talking about the amount of times I've read this one in particular) Do you even lift, bro? by rmd-writes Through the Looking Glass by rmd-writes Love this journey for them by rmd-writes Waterproof by welcometololaland The Devil Works Hard (But Mesh Shirts Work Harder) by welcometololaland Seven Days of Sin by welcometololaland

Pride ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜:

rejoice your truth by doublel27 What’s Lost Can Always Be Found by noxsoulmate Let's Talk About that Thong by Sivan325 This Love is Ours, it’s Everything by noxsoulmate Pride 2022 by maddiee96

Fluff 💝 (there’s a whole lot of fluff hiding in the other categories):

What A Weekend by @sapphireej PS: I still love you, too by noxsoulmate with all the sorrow and the joy by @lire-casander love me as if I were forever by rmd-writes (my beloved) A Love Like Theirs by noxsoulmate

Kid Fic (my other beloved):

Austin Series by AliceSchuyler don't go blindly into the dark by kiras-sunshine Falling Like Raindrops by Monstrous_Moonshine Surrender (series) by aleia Strands of Time (series) by alilypea Luca Strand-Reyes (series) by bellakitse SRK❤ Sofia Kennedy Reyes❤ (series) by mtnofgrace Family For Christmas by graspingforwords how did we get here? by @detective-giggles you're tethered to another (and you're worried all the time) by doublel27 Tradition (In the Key of Cookies) by Reese_Taylor27 love like this (the isla strand-reyes verse) (series) by Krissyloowhoo Let Your Heart Find a Home by tkstrands like daylight by @ravens-words Eight Now by darkangelgirl13 oh look, it’s my future by thatnerdmryn all I see is you by ravens-words Do We Want This? by @djdangerloverlove Let's Go to the Mall by bellakitse Of little girls and their cats by bellakitse Lyla by Mangacat Self control? I don't know her (series) by welcometololaland

I was gonna rec some Christmas fics too, but Tumblr is being a bitch and I might just save those for before Christmas!

I'm sure there's more, and most of the most recent ones haven't made it on here but whatever.

[fredficaccount]

MARCH FIC RECAP

I read 32 fics in march and reread 1.

From several fandoms : larry, rwrb, tarlos, drarry, athelnar, cmbyn, sterek, obikin.

As always, I'm infinitely grateful to all the authors for their gifts and to AO3 for being this space for sharing.

Apart from my re-reading, which I'll talk about at the end of this post, I particularly enjoyed 6 of these fics.

***

2 Larry :

Landslide, by @aimmyarrowshighaes, spibsy (lucy_and_ramona)

Explicit, 143k words, completed 2014-02-19

Historical AU, 70s AU, Strangers to lovers

Summary

The year is 1976. In November, Jimmy Carter will take control of the White House. Americans are meeting Laverne & Shirley at their apartment in Milwaukee. Hotel California diverges from the reign of Kool & the Gang. And the FBI is still reeling from the repercussions of Watergate, the tragedy at Wounded Knee, Operation Family Secrets, and the strategic terrors of the anti-cult movement.

That's what Special Agent Harry Styles has been told is the basis of his mission to an abandoned farmhouse in rural New Hampshire.

With his hair grown out long and his shirt untucked, he's going undercover to do reconnaissance on suspected cult leader Louis Tomlinson, who has led a group of people out into the middle of nowhere, leaving no record of the life he'd had before. All Harry knows is what the agency gave him: Tomlinson's name, and instructions to figure out what he's doing with the eleven people he brought with him.

In the year that Harry spends undercover and under Louis Tomlinson's wing, he learns more than he ever expected.

What I liked :

This story is perfect : masterful scenario, well crafted characters, and a very special and absolutely unique atmosphere, all to achieve about how a remote place can help you find in someone the home you were looking for...

@louisbumpenguin did this superb cover :

With blood and soft stitches, by @bravestyles

Not Rated, 57k words, completed 2020-07-30

Established relationships, suicide attempt, hurt/comfort

Summary :

After a failed suicide attempt and a three month long coma, Harry wakes up.

What I liked :

Suicide, depression… It's not an easy subject… And yet the author comes up with a story that is all sensitivity and emotion. They describe perfectly what it's like to go wrong, even when you love your husband, even when, from the outside, everything seems to be going well. The distress of Louis, the husband who almost lost his love, is also palpable and poignant.

Both characters are amazing, and it's literally impossible not to fall in love with Louis, who reminds me TTS Louis, a marvel of solidity and devotion to his other half.

***

2 Drarry :

Life lessons, by @bixgirl1

Explicit, 68k words, completed 2019-06-04

Enemies to friends to lovers

Fic post

Summary :

On the cusp of a promotion, Harry needs a little help with his image. Enter Draco Malfoy — who doesn't really do that, Potter — to whip him into shape… and make him feel things he hasn't for a very long time.

Featuring: odd jobs, surprising chemistry, lots of accidental kissing, the Prophet living up to type, owls exhausted by the carrying of dirty letters, a secret no one can talk about, a merry band of Slytherins (none of whom really approve), and an enchanted mirror (who really, really does).

What I liked

This is another one of those drarry fics where I fall in love with both characters and their stories, each so different yet so compatible.

The Cabin Trip, by @gallifrey1sburning

Explicit, 23k words, completed 2021-02-22

Friends to lovers, Sharing a bed, Pining

Fic post

Summary :

When Harry decides to swap his house in London for a cabin in the Catskill Mountains for a week, he’s excited for the chance to take a vacation with a group of his closest friends. He’s positive that his long-standing crush on Draco won’t be a problem; he’s been handling it just fine for years, after all. Unfortunately, he wasn’t counting on those tiny swim trunks. Or the way Draco licks melted chocolate off his fingers. Or having to rescue him from a rogue shower. And he definitely wasn’t counting on Draco deciding to sleep in Harry’s bed. But it’s going to be fine. Right?

Featuring: gender fuckery fashion icon Blaise Zabini, Greg Goyle as “the dad friend,” Luna Lovegood petting wild animals that she absolutely should not be petting, and Harry and Draco not being nearly as subtle as they think they are.

What I Liked :

This fic is a sort of grand epilogue, set against the backdrop of a beautiful cabin in the Canadian woods, with a lake, obviously a shared bed, pining and a great bunch of friends. A lovely serotonin moment. I could have gone on for pages and pages.

***

1 Tarlos :

No rules in breakable heaven, by @strandnreyes

Explicit, 75k words, completeted 2023-07-27

Private chef AU, friends with benefits

Fic post

Summary

Carlos doesn't know what to expect when he takes a position as a private chef in the Hamptons for the summer. All he knows is that he needs a job, and one that puts a roof over his head, gives him a chance to practice his craft, and will look great on his CV is more than he could ask for. Turns out he has no idea what he’s in for.

What I liked :

I sincerely hope that the author continues to write for a long time to come, because every time, it's a joy to read. Carlos and TK are beautiful, moving and touching, no matter what reality they find themselves in, and this AU private chef is no exception.

***

1 Athelnar (Vikings) :

Uppsalir, by @gwylliondream

Mature, 66k words, completed 2019-02-01

Strangers (Or Enemies ?) to lovers, slow burn

Fic post (kind of)

Summary :

In the raid at Lindisfarne, Ragnar takes a blow to the head and is knocked unconscious. Thinking Ragnar is dead, his kinsmen leave him behind on the beach. When Ragnar awakens, he suffers from amnesia. He cannot remember why he sailed west, or what transpired at the monastery. Athelstan discovers his bruised body on the shore, and they embark on an adventure that challenges their faiths, their lives, and their love.

What I liked :

Years ago, I was really into the Vikings series. And all my interest collapsed when Athelstan died (I don't suppose I'm spoiling anything for anyone?), because G. Blagden was due to join the Versailles series. Here we are in 2024, I'm discovering Uppsalir on AO3 and omg it's a gem! It's a shame that such perfections don't have more readers, for lack of a more popular fandom…

***

My monthly reread :

We cant take the long road home, by @pinkcords

larry fic

Explicit, 45k words, completed 2020-07-09

Road trip AU, strangers to lovers, pining

Fic post

Summary

Late afternoon seeps into the cab, just shy of too warm, and the breeze that crosses window to window tosses their hair in their eyes, around their faces. They ride in pleasant silence, the radio humming softly in the background as they speed down the coast, and when Louis looks over, Harry’s smiling to himself, a private happiness born from whatever’s going on in his head. Louis likes to think it has something to do with him, or at the very least, this adventure they’ve embarked on together, chosen to see through to San Diego.

Or, Harry and Louis fall in love down the coast of California.

What I liked :

I finished March by rereading this fic after watching a TV documentary about the Seattle area with my mum (Easter weekend). This is the third time I've reread it, and the third time I've loved it! It's got some of my favourite ingredients: road trip, pining, a lonely character whose heart gradually opens up, beautiful landscapes, pining, emotion… Really, We can take the long road home is one of my all time favourite fics.

What's more, there's a lighthouse and a sea glass found on a beach…

[tarlosmalec]

Pairing: TK Strand/Carlos Reyes

Fandom: 9-1-1 Lone Star

(Requesting my mutuals to share their go-to tarlos fics :) Here are five wonderful pieces I’ve come across)

The Ring-In by ifyoustay, LolaLand

@welcometololaland

87K | Explicit | No Archive Warnings Apply

When TK receives a call from an old friend offering him a last minute invite to a wedding in Hawaii, he jumps at the chance to finally wrangle his fiancé into a vacation. Unfortunately, TK isn't the only old friend invited.

Or, the fic where we say "why should they have to wait for their honeymoon to go to Hawaii?" Featuring TK Strand and Carlos Reyes being disgustingly in love, some interesting headcanons, some indulgent scenes and Alex finally working out that he probably shouldn't have shacked up with the spin cycle instructor.

My Constant Companion by Child_Of_Wonderland

@child-of-wonderland

23.7K | Teen & Up Audiences | No Warnings Apply

Moving to Austin, in a way, made things easier than TK expected. Having a support system that never faltered, that didn't know the depths of it but still supported him, was something TK never knew he craved until he moved.

A simple case wasn't supposed to be enough to knock it all down. He wasn't meant to be faltering just days before reaching 2 years. He wasn't supposed to. And yet, here he was. (Written for: Lone Star Big Bang 2022)

Sanctuary by PhoenixWillRise

38K | Teen & Up Audiences | Rape/Non-Con

Carlos is on his way home from a long day. And as he goes down an unknown route, he encounters a stumbling man. Its 2am and freezing, he stops to offer aid and perhaps a ride somewhere but as he takes in the dazed, and confused looking green eyes of the mysterious man.The bruises on his wrists, and the red bites and hickies covering his neck and collar, the police officer believes there is more to this boy than meets the eye.

Siren Sounds by ElfinNevermore17

22.7K | Not Rated | Creator Chose No Warnings

TK had not had a good day to start with. It began with him and Carlos getting into a stupid fight before they both began their respective shifts this morning. Something about who should fill the dishwasher, or maybe it was whose turn it was to empty it? TK couldn’t fully remember what they had argued about, he just knew that they'd both left the condo angry with each other and hadn’t said their usual goodbyes or ‘I love you’s before separating at the door, Carlos into his car and TK into a waiting Uber. TK’d taken an Uber to work so that he didn’t have to share an angry car ride with Carlos, not wanting to stew any longer in such a tense silence.

TK wished with everything that he’d swallowed his pride and taken Carlos’ offer of a ride one last time. Perhaps then, the feelings of guilt wouldn’t be as strong as they were right now.

Time of death…

there ain’t no way to burn when the fire’s out by justapoet

@justapoet

22K | Teen & Up Audiences | Creator Chose No Warnings

It was heated, grey, and painful.

And Carlos didn't know how long it took for the ring in his ears to deafen until the point he could hear the dispatcher he had on the line, but he was almost sure she had said something about help being outside the house already.

"I need you to stay awake," she said, and Carlos turned his head to the side just to see the flames closer than it should be, the vivid orange being reflected by the dark walls and mixing with the red and blue lights coming somewhere from the outside. "Sir, are you listening?"

Or, TK and Carlos have a fight over Owen and his stupid actions, and Carlos is alone when the fire starts ― and even more when, for him it ends.

[hookinhand]

anyone ever write over 9000 words of a fic and then just think “oh! this is all over the place! to the unpublished folder it goes!”? because same.

r.i.p. carlos begins fic🪦

also if anyone has any carlos centric/pov fics PLEASE tell me😔😔😔

[herefortarlos]

Fandom Holiday Gifts Day 1

Today it was Re-read a comfort fic and so I went through my bookmarks and found @welcometololaland's Seven Ways (Back to You), a 32K word post Push series that I love and adore!

I love how Lola writes TK and Carlos forgiving and coming back to each other, and they are just so sweet and flirty and clearly in love, it fills my heart with so much happiness! So yes, definitely a comfort fic that I was happy to revisit and I highly recommend it if you haven't already had the pleasure 🥰

[tarlosweeklyprompts]

To celebrate reaching 100 followers I've compiled a list (with the help of others) of 100 Tarlos Fic Recs. This is just a way to say thank you to all the lovely people who follow this blog, participate in the prompts, and give shout outs to various writers for their lovely works! This took a lot longer to put together than I thought it would but it was so worth it!

I want to make it very CLEAR that fics are not ranked in any special order and were added to the lists as I came across them and as people suggested them to me. The numbering of the fic's is a way to keep track that there are 100 fic's on this rec list and that is it's only purpose. This was not a contest, nor was there any voting involved. This is and will always be, a way for me to give back to those that follow me and write for the prompts that I come up with by providing recommendations of fics from the fandom that I've enjoyed. This will not be the last time I do something like this and I always welcome recommendations for fics.

Remember you are responsible for your own media consumption. Make sure to read tags and warnings.

A safe distance by @tailoredshirt

Don’t Lie to Me by @noxsoulmate

Fall on me by @moviegeek03

Breaking the ice by @tarlos-spain

Secrets & Pies by @unbreakablejemmasimmons

you keep burning through to my soul by @howtosingit

The Marriage Tamales by @bellakitse

I had most, and then all of you by @marjansmarwani

will you know me? by @reyesstrand

and i wonder if you'll take it slow by bucksreyes on AO3 (if you have a tumblr let me know and I will link it)

Music Is Our Sanctuary by @shadesofdeviant

Simple and Plain and Not Much to Ask from Somebody by @howtosingit

could see for miles, miles, miles by @reyesstrand

Take My Couch, Take My Whole Life Too by @djdangerlove

I feel safe in the 5 am light by Neuqe on AO3 (if you have a tumblr let me know and I will link it)

if this is our destiny by @strandnreyes

i’m a flame (you’re a fire) by ColorMeParanoid on AO3 (if you have a tumblr let me know and I will link it)

With Love, Your Soulmate by @chaotictarlos

Lost and Found by @detective-giggles

Am I Not Good Enough For You? by @rangergurlgleek1211

Rainbow Coloured Monstrosity by @shadesofdeviant

(I Come Alive) when you are with me by @cowlos-reyes

Not my boyfriend! by @sivan325

you're always on my mind by @mooshkat

In the burned house I am eating breakfast by @beautifulhigh

"Actually TK, he is my ex-boyfriend..." by @rangergurlgleek1211

Stay With Me by @sivan325

Let me Drown by @punkrockgirlalmighty

What you need (I just need you) by @rmd-writes

The Ring-In by @welcometololaland

Slowly ~ Despacito by @noxsoulmate

You smell like love by @tarlos-spain​

Magnetic North by @paper-storm

what if we could risk everything we have by dazedastrophile on AO3 (if you have a tumblr let me know and I will link it)

Begged And Borrowed Time by @iboatedhere

Sinfully Delicious by @detective-giggles

Hold Onto Me by mtnofgrace on AO3 (if you have a tumblr let me know and I will link it)

Regain Your Power by @endlessfighter

Abundance by @cinnaluminum

No more lizards! By @mckvch

A House Divided by @otter-love-asl

Wedding Song by @xtltokio

"Sounds like a you problem." By @irispurpurea

killer in the mirror by @mooshkat

His Name is Carlos (and I love him) by Mari_Marie on AO3 (if you have a tumblr let me know and I will link it)

Now my heart is in your hands by @noxsoulmate

a case of cruel to be kind by @maxbegone

Flying Sparks by @the-communist-unicorn

“What are you doing?” “I don’t want you to do that.” by @irispurpurea

forever will never be long enough (with you) by falloutmars on AO3 (if you have a tumblr let me know and I will link it)

Pretty Face (Pretty Boyfriend, Too) by @iboatedhere

We Are Never, Ever, Ever Getting Back Together by ElfinNevermore17 on AO3 (if you have a tumblr let me know and I will link it)

'tis the damn season by @punkrockgirlalmighty

The Rest of the World Was Black and White (But We Were in Screaming Color) by  reyestrand  on AO3 (if you have a tumblr let me know and I will link it)

I'd take care of you (if you'd ask me to) by notapartytrick on AO3 (if you have a tumblr let me know and I will link it)

"There's only us." By @irispurpurea

The monsters turned out to be just trees by @liminalmemories21​

This love we carry by @thevenstar

after dark by @gothruthestars2

Teardrop on the Fire by @carlos-in-glasses

Untitled Ficlet by @whenshereads

CONTINUED ON LIST #2

[carlos-tk]

Fandom Holiday Gifts 🎁

special shoutout to @welcometololaland for creating this game you can find the link on how it works here

Day 5 - Read a fic from 2020 + Day 6 - Read a fic over 2000 words

Combining the prompts I chose to read this fic from the wonderful Maddie. Okay I absolutely adored this fic ❤️ Achy and beautiful, this one had me in my TK and Owen feels immediately. The soft conversation as he readies himself to leave, the understanding between them, the weight of unsaid words and gestures that say so much <3 I love the Strands and the love they have for each other. To the comfort that TK finds in Carlos even though it’s tentative and new. TK allowing himself to be vulnerable with them both 🥺 To think this was written 4 episodes in and you already had such a depth of understanding of these characters is a little mind blowing. If you haven’t yet, please do yourself a favour and read this fic!

the dark in me (has now seen the day) by stormss (ao3) (2.5k - 911 Lone Star - Carlos Reyes/TK Strand - T) user @reyesstrand on here

some lines I loved

He wants to tell his dad that he has this way of seeing right through him, and they've known each other for two moths and already feel in sync. There's that numbness that just clouds over him and being with the team and being with Carlos seem to be the only sparks of light he feels, but he doesn't want to let himself get hurt again — and he doesn't want to bring Carlos down with him

He could probably start doing more dinners, and he tries not to let that skip of his heart scare him out of that thought

"Carlos," TK replies, and he tries to qualm the excited energy that passes over him at even the act of saying his name out loud

TK's chest flares up like it does before he's about to walk into a burning building

he feels comforted by the fact that he has someone like Carlos in his corner, and TK allows himself to feel the warmth flooding through him, and tells himself it's okay

bingo sheet and previous days under the cut ✂️

previous days

[rmd-writes]

a love note (and some fics)

Sometimes I wonder if there's really anything bigger out there - the universe, some kind of higher power, fate - and then I think about how extremely lucky I am that I became obsessed with a certain tv show and its characters at just the right time so that I could befriend someone who then introduced me to a particular book at exactly the right time to fall in love with those characters as well. And then, because of my need to have more of those characters, I went looking for more stories about them at exactly the right time to meet a group of people (some of them together, some of them later, but that doesn't matter) who would go on to become my friends.

There must be something, right? To bring together a group of people who live in five to seven different time zones depending on the time of year. To create my safest spaces on the internet. To share not just our love for a book and its characters, but parts of our lives with each other. To have them all wedge themselves into the soft spaces of my heart and never leave.

I've been thinking about this a lot over the last two weeks, because those people conspired and collaborated to gift me a collection of 10 incredible fics for a milestone birthday (tomorrow!) - even though some of them haven't written fic for months and months, or don't write for this fandom at all anymore, or have recently been finding it hard to make words work and finish fics, or are just plain busy with other projects and life. That they took the time to find and make words for me means everything and more 💖💖

I've been absolutely overwhelmed with love these past 10 days (probably to the surprise of no one, I have cried at every single fic drop and I'm crying writing this now). So, I want to share the wonderful fics that they've written for me with you all because it's the least I can do to pay it forward and they're objectively stellar fics. If you haven't come across them already then you should definitely add them to your to read lists/open tabs/MFL. Please show my friends some love and read their work.

The Rae of Sunshine! collection, in order of publication (with my very short summaries):

Take It Back (4.2K) by @three-drink-amy

Henry is the head chef at a French restaurant and there's one patron who keeps sending his dishes back. How can they resolve this?

Dick, Dick Dick (You Down) (10.2K) by @everwitch-magiks

Alex runs the craft services trailer on the set of actor!Henry's latest movie. Is he the only person who sees behind the façade?

A deceptively soft story, given the title.

Precious Love (1.3K) by floatingaway4

The fluffiest follow up to one of my favourite AUs Amigos y Migas (aka the food truck au).

Midnight ice cream (5.8K) by @the-amber-fox

Emotional support Cornettos? More likely than you think.

Make it Right (5.3K) by @three-drink-amy (that's right, Ally wrote me TWO FICS)

A rogue little Tarlos fic in amongst the firstprince - a post-season 1 canon divergence that sees TK working in a taco truck while he finds his feet.

a taste of life (7.4K) by @indomitable-love

A journey through Henry's life, told through food. (This one is not my summary, indomitablelove already summed it up perfectly)

Risotto + Melanzane + Dolce (a love story) (16.8K) by @villiageidiot

Alex starts working at an Italian restaurant and is terrible at his job. Somehow, Henry doesn't seem to mind.

Cursed is a State of Mind (WIP) by @welcometololaland & @dustratcentral

A 5 + 1 treatise on cursed coffee consumption.

12 Year Starter (6.6K) by @clottedcreamfudge

When Pez can't make it to Henry's Michelin-star birthday dinner, he arranges for Henry's friend, Alex, to take his place. Featuring CCF's signature banter and fun, and a menu that I wish was real.

Pour Your He(art) Out (WIP) by @athousandrooms

A 5+1 ode to latte art (featuring actual art!)

You can find the entire collection here on Ao3.

[heartstringsduet]

Sharing some more fic love on Valentine's. Here's my last Tarlos fic rec list with even more wonderful fic 🥰

If you want to show some love too, please comment on fics you read even if they're 'older'. I promise they make authors' days.💌 And my heart bleeds seeing how some fics get so little love. So here's my new love letter to counter that.

I Swear I Love You (Te Juro Que Te Amo) by @never-blooms S: Noche Buena takes a turn when two exes are forced to reunite. The writing is so lyrical I feel like I'm put on waves at times, gently rocking me. Characters that jump off the screen and TK and Carlos as exes having to pretend to be together still is a trope I never ever grow tired of.

balancing act by @reyesstrand S: A study of TK and Carlos sharing meals and falling in love.  My love for food is only paralleled by my love for words and this fic made me so emotional over both. Seriously can't put into words how beautiful and intricate this story is.

The Gift of You by @sprigsofviolets

S: TK Strand and Carlos Reyes have been happily married for five years. They are their own content, happy family. They weren’t looking to have kids, but when TK delivers a baby on a hard call, their family grows when they least expect it. I can't put into short words how very kind and thoughtful and in-character and heart-warming this fic is.

the square root of sixty nine by @liminalmemories21 S: Five times TK asked for consent, and one time Carlos did. So much depth in these intimate moments and also she proves consent is absolutely hot.

The Space in Between by @decafdino S: TK and Carlos are kidnapped, but they're together. A relationship study of Tarlos. It's embarrassing how much comfort I find in the constant re-read of this pretty angsty fic. But it delivers what it promises. It's a great study of their unwavering love intermixed with snippets of their pasts. The Sting by @goodways

S: Carlos is asked to help the FBI in a sting operation where he has to flirt with another man. His husband has something to say about it. Just one of her absolutely hilarious and sexy stories. Can never get over how much her dialogues sing.

Man to Man by @carlos-in-glasses S: In the aftermath of the house fire, Carlos recalls the night he came out to his parents. What can I say but that I'm obsessed with anything cig writes so I gotta praise the first fic I read of hers? Her entire expansive canon universe is outstanding.

A Helping Hand to Hold You Down by @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut S: Things are not as they seem in the loft, and TK's evening will not unfold as he had planned... It's smutty and it's filled with love and it's a great great great portrayal of dom/sub exploration without it running smoothly.

Sustenance by @cinnaluminum S: TK has a rough shift and comes home to Carlos in the kitchen. Absolute mastery of tension and a lingering fight and trying to work it out. I can't stress how much I admire her writing.

come what may, I'll still stay by @strandnreyes

S: Nearly one year into their marriage and TK finds that life looks a little different these days with Carlos working as a detective. A really beautiful study of circumstances changing and growing and love persisting despite pain and grief.

(Un)professional Services by @rmd-writes and @welcometololaland S: The Tarlos Professional Services AU. Two absolutely great writers bringing us work-place fun and sexiness? Uhm, yes please! I love the dialogue, I love how the humor.

[chaotictarlos]

P.S. I still love you too by @noxsoulmate

Even though it was one in the morning, the unexpected phone call was a welcome distraction from TK’s fitful slumber. Why he even bothered really trying to sleep was beyond him – he never truly found any rest nowadays. 

Still, it was rather unusual for him to get a call this late, and most of the time, it didn’t mean anything good. Especially not when it came from an unknown number. Bracing for the worst, TK tried to shake out the cobwebs in his brain and answered on the fifth ring.

“Hello?”

“TK?” came a familiar voice, even though he couldn’t place it. “You mind stopping by to pick up your boyfriend?”

for @noxsoulmate who wrote an incredible fic that I somehow got to see in the very early stages of it being written and fall in love with. I've wanted to make this gifset for it and even though gifing isn't the thing I'm most talented at, I hope it tells a fraction of the story Noxy does in her story.

[freneticfloetry]

fic rec friday

My first Fic Rec Friday! Thanks to @alrightbuckaroo and @thisbuildinghasfeelings for the tags.

This week's theme: Rec a fic that starts with the same letter as your username (or, if you like, a part of your username)

The rules: Tag a fic that starts with the same letter as your username and describe why it's so good / how it has a hold on you. Then tag some people to see what everyone else is reading. Spread the love! Tag @welcometololaland or tag #fic rec friday so Lola can compile the masterlist.

Four Suits by @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut

When Carlos and TK find the suits they're going to get married in, Carlos finds himself feeling overwhelmed by how good everything is.

I have so many feelings about this fic. Slice of life stories are some of my very favorites, but this one is particularly magical. Montage of Terrible Officiants aside, I feel like we didn’t get to see any moments, really, of the boys wedding planning on their own: discussing the venue, or deciding what they wanted, or discovering something surprising that they had equally strong feelings about, and that’s what excited me most going into this fic. Coming out of it, I was blown away by what a fantastic character study of Carlos it was in such a small space. It says so much about his headspace, and his sense of self-worth, all wrapped in his default “TK First” mentality. The whole thing is a beautiful look at this man who went from a lavender marriage (with someone he loved in the wrong way and almost lost altogether) to the brink of marrying the love of his life (with bonus TK being his adorably precious, bouncy self), and the moment he realizes it’s really happening. Please go give it all the love.

No pressure tagging @ambiguouspenny, @mixtapestar, @reyesstrand, @liminalmemories21, @rmd-writes, @walkinginland, and anyone else with recs.

[fredficaccount]

APRIL FIC RECAP

I read 13 fics in april and reread 1,

from several fandoms :

9 Larry

2 Drarry

1 Tarlos

1 Rwrb

1 Sterek

I can't express my gratitude and admiration enough to all the authors.

I particularly loved :

2 Larry fics + my reread

Symphony Hall, a series by @helloamhere

Night out + Saving Symphony Hall

Explicit, 134k words, completed 2018-01-27)

This is obviously my reread. I love everything about this story: the non-traditional character dynamics (the omegas are omegas, but that doesn't mean weak), Harry's devotion to Louis, this orchestra to be rebuilt, the idea of resilience, of daring to reach out to others...

A masterpiece

Here is a fic post…

Birds in Gilded Cages, by graveyardwitch

Mature, 157k words, completed 2015-06-21

Here is the post from my reading

Let's just say right away that this story isn't for everyone. There's violence, lots of violence, cruel and almost unbearable scenes, in keeping with the subject matter: sexual slavery.

Don't read it waiting for a comfortable fic... but read it for the courage, the strength, the love that defies the worst.

Where the tide takes you, i will follow by @pinkcords

Explicit, 53k words, completed 2022-12-27

Summer AU, american small-town atmosphere, with the tick-tock of September squeezing hearts and souls...

A sweet and beautiful pleasure fic.

Here is the fic post

1 Drarry fic

The Star Splitter, by @oflights

Explicit, 219k words, completed 2024-03-22

A long, beautiful story with great characters and a masterful script.

It's impossible not to fall in love with this Draco and this Harry.

So much so that I'm almost sad it's the end! I could have read on and on!

Here is the fic post

1 Tarlos fic

A Wash of Color, by @orchidscript

Explicit, 44k words, completed 2023-11-04

Artist Carlos Reyes, Journalist TK Strand

Strangers to lovers

Another beautiful small-town story about finding love and finding yourself

The fic post is here.

[tarlosmalec]

I Stay Close, Hold Steady on AO3

When Carlos nods and hauls himself up the stairs, TK stands there and watches him for a minute as a mix of concern and curiosity swirls in his mind. He knew his man had a long shift today from the way his eyes were dim, but he hadn't anticipated this. Carlos only asks him to read something before bed when his head is noisy. TK can't help but wonder what might have happened today and if there's anything he can do to help ease Carlos's burden.

[welcometololaland]

Fandom Holiday Gifts

Day 6 - Read a Fic Over 2,000 Words

Love from the Other Side by @lightningboltreader (911 Lone Star, Tarlos, E)

AKA. the angsty, sexy, beautiful one bed fic! I know it's cheating to put this one on this day, but I feel that it's also valid because the last chapter is more than 2k and I read that today SO. come for me.

This entire fic is so fun - Carlos and TK as exes forced to share a bed. It's a bit angsty, there's role playing (but not how you're thinking) and a fire drill and just a lot of fun. It was a super enjoyable read and I'm salty at myself for leaving the last chapter for so long! Go read it!

HERE'S THE ORIGINAL POST IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN FANDOM HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING!

(you definitely don't have to do it, or every day. it's totally at your discretion!).

Progress under the cut