#sunshinestrand

[welcometololaland]

Hello Lola 💛

E and K for the ask game if you haven't answered them yet!

hi paige! thanks for the ask! love seeing you in my inbox your pfp is so sunny and warm <3

E: What character do you identify with most?  Is there a certain fic of yours that captures these qualities particularly well?

who me? the overthinking, the perfectionism, the slightly chaotic nature, the tendency to do 3927498734 things at once? i gotta be agcd babyyyy.

i'm not sure which iteration of alex is most like me (definitely NOT down for the count version, because i can't do math) but maybe Speak for Yourself Alex because I'm constantly overworked and hating my job or maybe the first chapter of Seven Years because I will race anyone I see out on a run.

K:  Do you have a guilty pleasures in fic (reading or writing)?

Don't really feel guilty but I do have a habit of re reading a lot of my favourite fics if I just want a quick comfort read. sometimes i just like knowing how it ends 💜

thank you, paige!

Fic Writer Ask Game

(me, upon being perceived by me)

[avacoleman]

UHHH HELLO?! You have not, nor will you ever be annoying. Please!! You have one of the most beautiful presences ever and the fact that I get to talk to you almost daily? A gift and an honour, just so you are aware 😌 💛

Paaaaaaaige why and how are you so sweet?!?! You get a gold star and a medal for listening to me ramble as much as you do lol ilysm! And I saw you reblog that post so hmph! Slapping an Uno reverse card down on the table right now and sending this message right back to you, missy! You’re a total gem! 💜💜

[evanzbuck]

Alex moves to stand over him, looking down at that soft pink mouth. He feels himself standing at a very tall, very dangerous precipice, with no intention of backing away.

↳ for @nelsonnicholas @sunshinestrand

[carlos-tk]

hi friends <3 posting while it’s actually still sunday in my timezone for once

thanks to @carlos-in-glasses and @heartstringsduet for the tags 💕

a little more from the supposed to be finished fic

TK tweaks his own nipple, pinching it between two fingers before his hand slides down his abdomen, and his ring clad hand squeezes his thick c*ck.

He quickly tries to stroke himself to his next orgasm, defiant as Carlos slows his thrusts, pauses with half his c*ck slipping out of TK.

“Baby,” he laughs in exasperation, “you know you’re not allowed to come until I say so.”

“Carlos,” he whines, high pitched and forlorn. His grip on himself loosened.

“It’s okay,” Carlos soothes.

“Just let me get you there,” he suggests, “please.”

TK simply nods and Carlos takes that as his cue to restart his strokes. Pushes himself back in fully, rough and unrelenting– just as desperate for release as his husband is.

tags under the cut 🫶🏼 + an open tag for you

fellow timezone sharers with priority of course @welcometololaland @rmd-writes @celeritas2997 @captain-gillian @inkweedandlizards

@whatsintheboxmh @alrightbuckaroo @strandnreyes @reyesstrand @lightningboltreader

@cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut @birdclowns @herefortarlos @chicgeekgirl89 @vineofroses

@liminalmemories21 @orchidscript @eclectic-sassycoweyes @reyestrandd @reyescarlos

@thisbuildinghasfeelings @theghostofashton @fallout-mars @lemonlyman-dotcom @ladytessa74

@thebumblecee @im-overstimulated-and-im-sad @americansrequiems @nancys-braids @safeaswrites

@decafdino @fitzherbertssmolder @freneticfloetry @firstprince-history-huh @honeybee-taskforce

@basilsunrise @bonheur-cafe @noxsoulmate @never-blooms @mikibwrites @three-drink-amy @sunshinestrand

[iboatedhere]

After over 40,000 words they're finally kissing in my @aroyallybigbangrwrb fic.

Thank you for the tags @lemonlyman-dotcom @maxbegone @orchidscript @suseagull04

--

Unlike the sterile vibe of the kitchen, Henry’s bedroom is soft and cozy; more like a cottage in the English countryside than a townhouse in Georgetown. 

There’s an oversized leather armchair in the corner by the window with a stack of books on the table beside it. A dog bed on the floor and photos hanging on the wall. Alex wants to stop and study each one. He wants to listen to Henry tell him the story behind the landscapes and have him put names to the faces. He wants to know what Henry thinks about the book that’s on the nightstand and why the others that fill the bookcase against the adjacent wall were chosen to live up here instead of downstairs in the living room. 

The questions disappear when Henry pushes him back onto the perfectly made bed and all he can think about is the feel of Henry’s weight as he settles above him, warm hands beneath his sweater, and teeth dragging against his throat.

“You are not what I was expecting.”

“In a good way, I hope,” Henry says, teeth catching on Alex’s earlobe.

Alex shivers. “You’re all prim and proper with that fancy as fuck accent.”

Henry huffs a laugh against his neck.

“But really you’re just a regular horny guy who wants to hear me beg while getting me naked as fast a possible.”

Henry sits back on Alex’s thighs and arches his brow. “A regular guy?”

“A hot guy,” Alex corrects. “A sexy as fuck guy.” 

Henry hums, his hands dropping to the button of Alex’s jeans, fingers tracing the zipper.

“I’m the same,” he continues and Henry smiles.

“You think you’re sexy as well?”

“I think I need us both naked right now or I’ll explode.” He bites his lip and runs his hands over Henry’s thighs. “Please.”

Henry takes a deep breath and slides off Alex’s lap to stand at the foot of the bed. Alex pushes himself up onto his elbows so he can watch Henry pull his sweater over his head and drop it to the floor. 

Alex has to touch. He has to slot his fingers between the grooves of Henry’s ribcage and trace the freckles and beauty marks that dot his shoulders and chest with his tongue. His head swims when Henry unbuttons his jeans and takes everything off in one smooth motion.

“Is this more like what you were expecting?” Henry asks and all Alex can do is blow out a breath. “If I knew this is what it would take to shut you up,” Henry says with a dangerous grin as he crawls over Alex, “I would’ve done it ages ago.”

Alex touches Henry’s bare skin for only a moment before Henry is gone.

“I’ll be right back,” he says as he gets to his feet.

Alex balls his hands into fists in frustration. “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.”

“Take everything off,” Henry instructs as he steps back toward the ensuite bathroom, “I’ll only be gone for a moment.”

“You’re insufferable,” Alex says in a huff as he sits up and shucks off his shirt. “The fucking worst. I’m taking back every nice thing I’ve ever said about you.”

 “I’m certain you don’t mean that,” Henry calls from the bathroom. 

“I’m certain I do,” Alex mocks as he wiggles out of his jeans and boxers, kicking them dramatically off the side of the bed. “Maybe I’ll just jerk off without you.”

“If you’re thinking of me while you do it, is it really without me?”

“Who said I would be thinking about you?”

“Who else?” Henry asks, stepping back into the bedroom with a condom and a bottle of lube in his hand. 

That shuts Alex up. That makes it all real in a way it hadn’t been before.

--

Tagging: @cha-melodius @jmagnabo92 @anincompletelist @piratefalls @porcelainmortal

@magicandarchery @bitbybitwrites @henryspearl @inexplicablymine @oxfordslutphase

@fullsunsets @sunshinestrand

@cricketnationrise @liminalmemories21 @luainthewild @youcancallmekathyp

[rmd-writes]

getting in early while it’s actually Sunday here for once because I have words!!!! This fic is at 3,800 words and counting:

He feels like he’s drowning in pleasure. He feels like he’s on fire. He feels like he’s fucking flying.

“Fuck, H, I’m so close. Please,” Alex begs, gritting his teeth and pressing his face into the pillow.

He doesn’t get an answer because Henry comes with a breathy laugh, painting Alex’s ass and back with his come.

“Fucking hell, Alex, you look exquisite,” Henry breathes.

“Please, please, baby. I can’t— I need—”

“Shhh, it’s alright, love. You’ve been so good for me,” Henry soothes him, switching the vibrator off and rubbing his hips.

“I’m going to take it out now, alright?”

Alex is ready to sob. He was so fucking close. Maybe Henry will get him off with his mouth instead. He nods and Henry pulls the vibrator out slowly, then lifts the edge of the towel to wipe him clean.

Henry helps him to roll onto his back, kneeling beside him.

Fuck, he’s so beautiful. There’s a sheen of sweat glistening on his skin, his hair damp at the edges. He smiles softly at Alex, eyes crinkling at the corners and it makes Alex’s heart feel like it’s going to explode in his chest even though his dick is so hard that it’s throbbing.

Henry brushes his hair off his forehead, then runs his hand down Alex’s cheek, tipping his chin up and kissing him like he’s been craving it. Alex can’t help but whimper into his mouth, desperately hoping for more.

“You’re incredible, you know that?” Henry says when he pulls away.

“Do you know what would be incredible right now? Your mouth on my dick.”

Henry laughs brightly. Alex wants to bottle the sound.

“Here I am trying to be sentimental and you come out with that.”

“Only one of us has come, sweetheart.”

“I’m well aware of that, love,” Henry loves his hand on Alex’s hip, running his thumb over the tattoo there.

“Maybe you should fucking do something about it,” Alex pouts.

“I’ll do something about it,” Henry says lowly and Alex’s heart skips a beat in anticipation. And then Henry stands. “Later. You’ve got a paper to write.”

Tagging everyone who tagged me for inspiration weekend/self-promo Saturday: @carlos-tk @carlos-in-glasses @three-drink-amy @lightningboltreader @orchidscript @cha-melodius @fitzherbertssmolder (art/comic wip maybe?) @alrightbuckaroo and also @welcometololaland @strandnreyes @reyesstrand @liminalmemories21 @goodways @maxbegone @stereopticons @blackandwhiteandrose @wandering-night19 @sanjuwrites @inexplicablymine @dumbpeachjuice @tintagel-or-cockleshells @everwitch-magiks @kiwiana-writes @myheartalivewrites @sherryvalli @sunshinestrand @lizzie-bennetdarcy @lilythesilly @rosedavid and an open tag (tag me back!) 💖

[lightningboltreader]

WIP Wednesday

It was Dominic who turned it sideways. “They remind me of condoms,” he volunteered with a chuckle. “Toss me a condom Reyes, my hands are sticky.” TK and the others chuckled quietly. It was a dumb joke and no one wanted to encourage him. Carlos rolled his eyes playfully and tossed him a square wetnap packet with a smirk.

Picking up his own, Carlos tore at the top with his teeth before pulling the wrapper open and reaching in with two fingers to take out the wipe. He let the wrapper fall to the table and muttered under his breath so only TK could hear, “I too need something for my sticky release.” TK’s head whipped to face him, eyes wide as he watched Carlos unfold the wipe slowly and wrap it around his finger.

“Fuck,” TK whispered. He was going to die.

Bianca took notice as TK began to scramble, pulling out his wallet to grab a few bills with shaky fingers. He flashed her a fake smile as he tucked them under his coaster. “I’m suddenly whipped, I gotta get out of here,” he explained.

She nodded gravely and stepped out of the booth. “Carlos, can you make sure TK gets to his room?” she asked, “He looks really flushed all of the sudden.”

(tags ⬇️)

Thanks for the tags @lemonlyman-dotcom @carlos-in-glasses @strandnreyes and @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut!! edit: & @tailoredshirt 🫶🏻

Please join if you’d like and haven’t yet, @goodways @welcometololaland @rmd-writes @sunshinestrand @taralaurel @chaotictarlos @theghostofashton @sugdenlovesdingle @tarlosmalec @bonheur-cafe @catanisspicy @fitzherbertssmolder @noxsoulmate and you!

[alrightbuckaroo]

Fanfic Friday

Bringing this back because I think we should all be proud of a work every chance we get!

Rules: share a fic you wrote that you are proud of! Moodboard optional!

a little taste of love

TK Strand, a florist working for the renowned flower shop, Bloom With a View, can't take his eyes off of Carlos Reyes, a baker working at Cake My Day, the bakery across the street.

Kind of love this one because I got to give Luisa and Ana Reyes personality and just be super over the top cheesy with it. Apparently reading this feels like watching a nostalgic romcom from the early '00s (thank you @carlos-in-glasses; I think of that comment all the time because it truly is the highest praise to someone like me.)

tag list is under the cut :)

no pressure tagging: @carlos-in-glasses, @heartstringsduet, @strandnreyes, @reyesstrand, @rosedavid, @three-drink-amy, @rmd-writes, @welcometololaland, @ambiguouspenny, @freneticfloetry, @kiloskywalker, @chaotictarlos, @sanjuwrites, @lemonlyman-dotcom, @mikibwrites, @orchidscript, @birdclowns, @inflarescent, @catanisspicy, @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut, @basilsunrise, @bonheur-cafe, @paperstorm, @decafdino, @sunshinestrand, @ravens-words, @jesuisici33, @irispurpurea, @lightningboltreader, @thisbuildinghasfeelings if you wanna show off another cross stitch and here's an open tag for anyone who wants to brag on themselves :)

[guardian-angle22]

Tagged by @beautifulhigh & @welcometololaland to list my top 5 Tarlos scenes.

This is really going to show my Season 3 bias ngl.

#5. 2.12 "Don't make me twist your arm."/"Please do."

Their chemistry is insane when they're teasing each other downstairs and then they kiss each other so softly once they get upstairs. I'm a sucker for a good soundtrack moment and there's something iconic about having their house literally light up on fire under them while obliviously making out as Fever by Elvis Presley plays in the background. Peak cinema tbh.

#4. 3.04 "Hey, baby. Breathe."/"Welcome home, TK."

We can all agree to have these two can count as one scene, right? they go back to back. The way TK reached for Carlos as soon as he woke up and immediately noticed that Carlos wasn't breathing right even though he just woke up from a coma, is still groggy, and barely has his eyes open? soulmate shit right there. If you haven't watched this without the music. my god. do it now. & then add in how happy they both look as Carlos leads TK into the loft with his hands over his eyes, and then when TK looks around and you can see on his face when he realizes he still gets to have this despite everything? Beautiful.

#3. 3.18 "For the first time in my life, the love that I feel is infinitely more powerful than the fear of losing it."/"A thousand times yes."

I mean can I even say more about the proposal that hasn't already been said? the urgency TK felt that prompted him to wake Carlos up in the middle of the night. His speech to Carlos. All the little touches throughout. The way they both were crying by the end. It was beautiful and it was perfect for them. (the only way it could have been better is if they maybe stopped to turn on a fucking lamp)

#2. 3.08 "Hey, look at me."/"I love you."

This was their first mutual "I love you" shown on screen and while the context was heartbreaking, it was still so so sweet. Carlos being the loving caregiver, kissing TK's forehead, rubbing his knee, wanting to make sure he eats. The way Carlos tells TK to look at him and he does immediately, even though TK has been basically avoiding eye contact with everyone the entire scene will live rent free in mind for all of time, I'm sure.

#1. 3.13 "Do you have any idea how proud of you I am?"/"You're just so sweet."

Can I put the entirety of 3.13 on the list at number one? Because it's my favorite episode for them. It has so many things. It has them being domestic and flirtatious. TK being distracted by Carlos in yoga clothes. It has them fighting a bit, overcoming those obstacles, and communicating. It showed Carlos as a multidimensional character with flaws like jealousy and pettiness, but then growing through it to come to the realization that he can't be everything that TK needs at the end of the day.

But if I absolutely had to pick just one scene from it, I would chose the opening scene. TK sharing with Carlos about his meeting, finding a sponsor, & the realization of not having Gwyn around affecting his mindset. Carlos waiting up with his adorable glasses, reading articles to educate himself, telling TK how proud of him he is. TK calling him sweet and flirting with him. I just-- 🥰🥰

----

Because I'm doing this pretty late in the day, this has made it's rounds through a lot of my mutuals already. so I'm just going to tag a few people that I haven't seen do it yet (no pressure though if you're not feelin' it. but also if you have done it and I missed it let me know so I can read yours!): @morganaspendragonss @ourlegendwillbefitforverse @detective-giggles @noxsoulmate @ladytessa74 @autistic-lesbian-story-lover @tkstrandreyes @pragmatic-optimist @reyescarlos @spencessmile @poledancingghostson @sunshinestrand @mandiiigurllll

[reyesstrand]

seven-ish sentence sunday

thank youuu for the tag @lovesgalores 😚 this is from the honeymoon fic/4x18 coda that should be done by now but it’s fighting me but let’s ignore that <3

But he doesn’t know how he’s supposed to go back to a life without his father. A life marked with such incredible loss, that haunts his mother and his sisters and everyone else in the family—including the new one he just inherited. A loss that makes him feel like he’s a little kid wearing his dad’s boots, again, a loss that makes him taste ash in his mouth, a loss that makes him feel small and guilt-stricken because TK is so strong, so capable, and even if Carlos doesn’t want him to feel the brunt of it, he’s been right here, no matter what.

He’s here, making a small, sleepy sound, his eyes slowly blinking open as he stretches out his limbs, fingers curling in and out of the pillowcase. TK’s eyes land on Carlos, and he murmurs a quiet hey baby, and Carlos is drawn to him immediately. The ring clinks softly as he puts it down on the glass tabletop before he crosses the room in three large strides, dropping a knee onto the mattress. TK puts a hand on his waist, grinning up at him playfully. “You watching over me or something?”

“Always,” Carlos says, his heart fluttering as he takes in TK looking at him with one eye still adorably squeezed shut. He drags his fingers through TK’s bedhead and feels something deep inside him settle when he leans into the touch on instinct. “It’s hard not to, you know, since you’re so cute when you’re drooling.”

“Shut up,” TK grumbles, though he’s smiling too hard for it to have any bite.

no pressure tagging @strandnreyes @carlos-in-glasses @alrightbuckaroo @marjansmarwani @morganaspendragonss @chaotictarlos @paperstorm @rmd-writes @welcometololaland @sunshinestrand @beautifulhigh <3

[riggerbison]

CHEERCEMBER 2022 DAY 31: Follow Forever + my thanks Thank you everyone who made cheercember a success whether you sent a request, tried to spread the word, or reblogged a set. I appreciate you immensenly for allowing me to give you 30 days of cheer. (Yeah, we’re sticking to last years tradition and missing Day 30)

As for today, I would like to shoutout to people who not only made cheercember a success but everyone who has made my year a good one. Tumblr is most definitely the place I escape too and y’all are a blessing to the fandoms (even if you don’t create things of your own) and I love you for it! Thank you for your support and friendships! To all my followers that I don’t follow, I do appreciate you for sticking around and giving me your support, you’re always there in my heart. I hope the new year treats you all well! 💛

Below you’ll find some of my treasured mutuals and there are also some people I just really enjoying following because of either their vibes or the content they release is *chefs kiss*. So, if you’re looking for some blogs to follow these are my recs.

the pocket friends who keep me and muse flowing:

@hidden-joy, @jordanshenessy, @pranink, @mabellsmora, @bellamygate,  @saturstay, @louistomlinsun, @typicaltk​, @hellshee​, @billlkin, @talays-portkey, @oswlld, @lutavero, & @i-got-the-feels

multi-fandom:

@robbeijzermans, @nyttvera, @nick-nellson, @nelsonnicks, @fatoujallovv, @katesharmasheart, @aimeegbbs, @screenwrite, @birthdaysentiment, @chibifatou, @sassy-sara, @dionysuswearsanorangetracksuit, @carsonnshaw, @smblmn, @deenafier, @elle-smells, @madsbuckley, @belloves, @floralbuckleys, @spiritinanitecap, @spicyvampire, @acclaimedvoid, @alkaysani, @blairwhumphreys, @kiekiecarrera, @william-byers, @mikhaailo, @gregoryeddie, @willsilvertongue, @finetune, @morganaspendragonss, @staarfires, @h-isforhiatus, @robinsteve, @roseapothecary, @lire-casander, @doublel27, @maxbegone, @danieljradcliffe, @iressails, @tylerkennedys, @maygrant, @ropoto, @norrisleclerc, @swearphil, @arthurpendragonns, @andremichaux, @eddiediaaz, @buckleys-diaz

911 lone star:

@rafael-silva, @reyescarlos, @jddryder, @reyeslonestar, @reyesstrand, @iboatedhere, @marjansmarwani, @sunshinestrand, @strandnreyes, @detectivecarlosreyes, @tkstrandreyes, @tkstrands, @zonnedauw, @pragmatic-optimist, @moviegeek03, @cafeshopau, @unstatedmartini, @tailoredshirt, @velvet-ink, @rmd-writes, @marwani-strickland, @guardian-angle22

asian dramas:

@sotaaoki, @winphawin, @nanons, @pannakorn, @liyazaki, @kimporchay,  @luna-lina, @first-kanaphan, @kinnsporsche, @pranpats, @julielilac, @weiwuxian, @seanwhites, @gunsatthaphan, @ragingbyesexual, @leedongwook, @lanzhans,  @seatawinans, @phukaoapologist, @team-win, @laowen, @devildrusje, @pranparakul, @prapais, @freensrcha, @ardentlytess, @sunsetandthemoon, @vegussy, @gooseras, @fitfmybeloved, @thoresque, @dimpledpran

[welcometololaland]

thanks @suseagull04 and @hippolotamus for the tease tuesday tag 💜 here's some first-time-sleeping-over shenanigans in a s1 canon divergence (maybe?) that owen definitely isn't going to interrupt...

One minute, he’s staring at TK’s adorable, sleeping face, stuck between wanting to kiss him silly and avoid waking him up. The next, he’s apparently fallen asleep. He only knows this because he wakes at seven a.m., completely disoriented and with a human octopus still attached to his side. 

“TK,” he whispers, kissing TK’s forehead in an attempt to wrangle his arm back. It has terrible pins and needles. “TK, baby.”

TK snuffles and turns, pulling the comforter over his head. “It’s too early,” he whines, which is when Carlos realises that his new boyfriend is definitely not a morning person. 

“I realise that,” Carlos says, trying not to panic as the red numbers on TK’s old school alarm clock flick over to 7:01. “But I accidentally fell asleep here and I have no clean clothes. Also, your dad is home now, right?”

“It’s okay,” TK slurs. “My dad loves you.”

“Your dad likes me as Officer Reyes,” Carlos points out, “the respectable, law-abiding cop who definitely isn’t having sex with his son.”

“Mm, no,” TK mumbles, shuffling again so that he’s on his stomach, his hand curling protectively over Carlos’ hip, brushing dangerously close to his c*ck. “He wouldn’t have a problem with that.”

“TK—”

“I’m serious,” TK insists, opening his eyes and staring blearily up at Carlos. “My dad has been trying to get me to ask you out for weeks. He’ll see this as a personal achievement.”

open tag and

@thisbuildinghasfeelings @bonheur-cafe @reyesstrand @strandnreyes @rmd-writes

@safeaswrites @sanjuwrites @kiloskywalker @alrightbuckaroo @lightningboltreader

@im-overstimulated-and-im-sad @sunshinestrand @orchidscript @three-drink-amy @fallout-mars

@carlos-in-glasses @birdclowns @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut @heartstringsduet @ladytessa74

@lemonlyman-dotcom @theghostofashton @tellmegoodbye @fitzherbertssmolder @whatsintheboxmh

@carlos-tk @freneticfloetry @goodways @sugdenlovesdingle @sznofthesticks

@nancygillianmvp @terramous @thebumblecee @inkweedandlizards @never-blooms

@decafdino @chicgeekgirl89 @eclectic-sassycoweyes @vineofroses @literateowl

@kiwichaeng @celeritas2997 @basilsunrise @doublel27 @liminalmemories21

[avacoleman]

thanks @sunshinestrand for the tag. your timing truly is impeccable as i actually managed to write a little something today. still trying in vain to figure this story out, but it'll eventually find its way

“It’s supposed to be about you and me and this future I thought we were building together. God, Henry, what are you so afraid of?”

“You know what,” Henry roars back, surprising himself and Alex who falls silent at once and lets out a shaky breath.

Henry swallows hard and retreats a half step, burying his face in his hands.

“I’m so sorry, love,” he murmurs, voice catching past the burning lump in his throat. When he looks up again, gaze finding Alex, it’s through blurry tear-filled eyes as his hands fall to his sides.

He apologizes again, stepping back once more. But Alex counters and closes the gap a little. He reaches out with both hands slowly, as if Henry is a wild scared animal he wants desperately not to startle. It makes Henry feel sick to his stomach that he’s cause for concern. But he supposes it says something that Alex is even bothering at all.

It isn’t until Alex takes hold of his hands that Henry even realizes he’s trembling. He closes his eyes slowly, Alex drawing nearer the last thing he sees before he’s enveloped in a hug. 

Henry’s body relaxes at once, his mind growing quiet in the way that it only does when he’s in close proximity to Alex. Henry’s arms wrap firmly around Alex, hands splayed against his back before balling into fists as he grips.

“No, I’m sorry,” Alex says softly, fingers gently carding through Henry’s hair at the back of his head. “I can’t even imagine what you must be going through. Shit. That wasn’t fair. I’m just so mad, but not at you. Never at you, sweetheart,” he continues, dropping a kiss against Henry’s left temple.

It's far more kindness than Henry thinks he deserves for lashing out, but he clings desperately to it just as tightly as he holds onto Alex now. 

Henry buries his face in the side of Alex’s neck and breathes him in, lets the natural scent of Alex fill his lungs and cloud his mind. It can be enough for right now to drown in this over his own fear and self-doubt.

Henry exhales softly, not missing the slight tremor that runs through Alex as his breath fans against his skin.

He pulls back just enough to look Alex in the face once more. For a fraction of a second he can see the brave face Alex tries to put on before he seemingly catches on to the fact that, with Henry, there’s no need to hide or downplay what he’s feeling.

“Is this it for us?” Alex asks. Such small simple words with the power to shatter Henry’s entire world.

“I don’t want it to be,” he says. It’s not a complete answer, but it’s the truth all the same.

Alex’s forehead comes to rest against his again.

His reply must have been enough.

This, he knows, is goodbye even if neither of them give the word oxygen to breathe. He can feel it, almost like a living thing here in the room with them. But the thing about Henry is that he’s honed a particular skill that just might prove to be his saving grace. He’s long since learned how to live alongside grief. He’ll know how to mourn, hold space, and still be able to survive.

[evanzbuck]

RAFAEL SILVA appreciation series: ↳ working out pt. 2 (for @nelsonnicholas @pragmatic-optimist @sunshinestrand)

[carlos-tk]

new banner featuring our fave sleepy lil guy

thanks for the tags @heartstringsduet @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut @strandnreyes @im-overstimulated-and-im-sad 💗

“I’m glad I was your friend before I was anything more, that made it easier to fall more in love with you– the real you, the person everyone else doesn’t get to see,” he admits.

“But knowing I could never act on my feelings– that’s what hurt, that’s why I pushed you away. I knew I couldn’t survive with just these little pieces of you anymore, I wanted to have it all or nothing.”

TK gasps, much louder than either of them were anticipating as it slips from his mouth in surprise.

“You love me?” he asks, almost in disbelief.

“TK,” he starts to say, before he’s interrupted again.

“You love me,” he repeats, as if trying to commit the accidental confession to memory.

Carlos watches as the edges of TK’s mouth pinch into a grin so wide it’s almost blinding.

His hand reaches out for Carlos’ and he slides their palms together in one smooth action, squeezes it tightly between his own.

“Say it again,” he requests, “please Carlos.”

Carlos mouth forms into a grin that matches his.

“I love you– I’m in love with you, Tyler Kennedy Strand,” he confesses, sure and true.

tags below + an open tag for YOU 🫶🏼

@whatsintheboxmh @welcometololaland @celeritas2997 @rmd-writes @inkweedandlizards

@birdclowns @reyesstrand @alrightbuckaroo @herefortarlos @lightningboltreader

@reasonandfaithinharmony @theghostofashton @liminalmemories21 @thisbuildinghasfeelings

@orchidscript @reyestrandd @ambiguouspenny @sznofthesticks @nancygillianmvp

@carlos-in-glasses @never-blooms @safeaswrites @freneticfloetry @howtosingit @eclectic-sassycoweyes

@honeybee-taskforce @fallout-mars @kiwichaeng @jesuisici33 @literateowl @louis-ii-reyes-strand

@sunshinestrand @reyescarlos @ladytessa74 @thebumblecee @mooshkat @mikibwrites

@chicgeekgirl89 @chaotictarlos @noxsoulmate @vineofroses @basilsunrise @bonheur-cafe

@firstprince-history-huh @fitzherbertssmolder @doublel27

[iboatedhere]

Thank you @lemonlyman-dotcom @cha-melodius @jmagnabo92 for the tags!

Should be the last share from the Neighbors AU before I post sometime this weekend, maybe.

--

Alex doesn’t know what happened. 

One second he was making a mental list of all the things he had to do when he got to the office (1. Top off his coffee. 2. See if there’s anything to the claims of voter suppression from the Richards campaign out in Grand Rapids. 3. Have an all-consuming but totally low-key breakdown in the bathroom about what will happen if Senator Luna doesn’t win in November. 4. Help the interns put together SWAG bags for the fundraiser next week in Flagstaff.) and the next he was on the cold ground looking up at the cloud filled sky. 

“Are you all right?”

A voice, soft and British and fucking lovely floats down. 

It’s his hot neighbor, the one with the long legs, cashmere sweaters, and adorable beagle who moved in three months ago, but Alex has yet to introduce himself to. 

This is not the way he thought it would happen. 

He thought it would be a nice bottle of wine or whiskey—and glasses from the gift shop near campaign headquarters, the ones with the city grid etched into them. Maybe a couple of tea towels or coasters. Something simple and fun. 

It would be late and his neighbor would invite him in for a drink and they’d get to talking and….

Alex isn’t looking for a boyfriend—not with how busy he is—but they could have fun. 

But work got in the way and time passed and suddenly it felt too awkward to welcome him to the neighborhood when he was already set and settled. 

“Can you hear me?”

Alex turns his head to watch slipper clad feet start down the steps followed closely by dog paws. 

“Careful,” Alex tells him before he hits the bottom, “it’s really—.”

His neighbor gets two steps from the stoop when he goes down, hard, landing with a thud beside Alex. 

“Slippery,” Alex finishes. 

“Fuck,” his neighbors says. “Ouch.”

“Yeah,” Alex agrees. “You know, it’s the property owners responsibility to remove snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of their home.”

“Bloody hell. You could sue me.”

“I could. Probably get you to pay for any medical bills I might accrue.”

“Will you have medical bills?”

“Probably not. I think my ass broke my fall.”

His neighbor makes a strangled sound then coughs. 

Tagging: @suseagull04 @anincompletelist @piratefalls @porcelainmortal @magicandarchery @maxbegone @orchidscript

@oxfordslutphase @fullsunsets @sunshinestrand @cricketnationrise

@liminalmemories21 @luainthewild @youcancallmekathyp @bitbybitwrites

@henryspearl @inexplicablymine