#i share carlos' hatred of it and i won't shy away from that

[welcometololaland]

WIP NOT-WEDNESDAY AKA. THE THING IM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT

i am literally vibrating with a need to post this, so have a snippet. I really, really hope people like it because it's my return to loveable, silly Tarlos and I really love how it turned out. Thanks @rmd-writes for the tag!

Carlos knows about TikTok, of course. He might be the oldest twenty-nine year old ever (according to Marjan) or an elderly man stuck in a young, hot body (according to Nancy), but he’s well aware of the social media platform that’s inundated with short videos and the same automated voiceover that makes him want to fling himself off the nearest building. He hates TikTok with a burning passion – not that he’s ever had an account – and doesn’t shy away from expressing that opinion whenever he has to do one of those cyber security school incursions. He knows TK downloaded TikTok once, specifically to watch a dog video on repeat, but then he got stuck on it for days and days until Carlos insisted that he delete it. The app is a nightmare for productivity, and a wasteland of vulnerable metadata, and Carlos won’t be engaging with any of that. Instagram reels are bad enough. He doesn’t click on the link anyway – it can’t be that important – until he gets home and sees TK sitting on the kitchen counter waiting for him. “Have you been on the internet today?” he asks, by way of greeting. “Have you left the house today?” Carlos counters, running his eyes over the AFD t-shirt that TK is still wearing, and the pants he is still not wearing. “Or taken a shower?” “Of course,” TK scoffs, rolling his eyes. “This is a different pair of underwear. I didn’t leave the loft though, because it’s my day off and I’m allowed to do whatever I want. And if what I want to do all day is eat toast and jerk off to videos of my hot as hell fiancé on TikTok, I’m going to do that.” “Did you at least use a plate this time— Wait. What?” TK gives him a look that can only be described as gleeful, and Carlos’ stomach sinks. “TikTok,” TK says, sliding off the counter and slipping his hands into the back pocket of Carlos’ jeans. “Yep,” he adds, making an appreciative noise in the back of his throat, “your ass really is that perfect.” “TK,” Carlos asks, feeling a bit stricken, and stepping back as he remembers that, in the confusion over TikTok, he’s forgotten to lock up his firearm. “What the hell are you talking about?”

I tag @strandnreyes @iboatedhere @goodwaysihope @reyescarlos (@rmd-writes is right to say it - keep writing!) @reyesstrand @everwitch-magiks @three-drink-amy @clottedcreamfudge and @indomitable-love @the-amber-fox