#tarlos holiday fic

[everlastingday]

the playlist for the holiday au fic is set, now to actually write it in time...

[oldfangirl81]

[rmd-writes]

'tis the season

@stereopticons tagged me to share my winter/holiday fics because 'tis the damn season! I love a winter/holiday fic despite the fact that I live in the southern hemisphere and today is 1 December and the temperature hit 35C today 😰

Schitt's Creek

and then one day, everything changed | T | 9.1k | canon divergence

All David wants to do is sign Marcy Brewer on to sell her amazing fudge at Rose Apothecary. Unfortunately for him, her very snippy, business consultant son gets involved. In an effort to win both Marcy and Patrick over, David invites Patrick to spend some time in the store and on a vendor trip. There’s snow forecast for the day of the vendor trip, but it’s Schitt’s Creek and it never snows. Right?

it's just for snow | E | 18.1k | coffee shop / fake dating AU

When David gets a last minute wedding invitation and Stevie refuses to go with him, he needs to find another date - he needs to show his so-called 'friends' (and Sebastien Raine) that he's thriving now. Enter: David's new favourite barista... — aka the coffee shop / fake dating / road trip / snowed in / there was only one bed fic no one asked for

since we've got no place to go | E | 6k | canon compliant

Patrick books a winter weekend away so that he and David can connect.

Red, White & Royal Blue

you're all that i need | M | 3.9k | coffee shop/book store AU

“Alex.” Henry leans against the wall behind the counter with his arms folded, wearing a pale blue cable knit sweater with the sleeves pushed up and navy chinos. Alex wishes he wouldn’t because it only emphasises his forearms.

He crosses his own arms in response. “Henry.”

“Are you actually looking for a book?” Henry asks with a sigh. “Or are you just wasting my staff’s time?”

“That staff member is my sister.”

“I’m well aware,” Henry says drily. “Doesn’t change the fact that you’re probably wasting her time. Which book are you looking for?”

“Oh.” Alex grimaces slightly. “I’m not actually–” He exhales. “Hunter is in the coffee shop, so I got the fuck out.”

yours for the afternoon | T | 4.6k | coffee shop / fake dating AU

Henry is quietly minding his own business in his favourite coffee shop, when he’s rudely interrupted by an insufferable man attempting to flirt with him. He’s rescued by none other than Alex – a fellow cafe regular who he’s long admired from a distance – posing as his date.

Snowed In? Snow Problem | E | 7.3k | college AU

Henry and Alex get snowed in at their dorm for the holidays, whatever will they do?

911 Lone Star

Make the Yuletide Gay | M | 19.6k | college / fake dating AU

"I'll be your boyfriend for Christmas."

Carlos stares at him like his brain is struggling to comprehend what TK is offering. It's a shared feeling, given that sometimes TK's brain engages before his filter does, and this is definitely one of those times. There’s no room for regrets, though, and he’s not really sure he regrets making the suggestion.

“TK,” Carlos starts softly. "What you're suggesting is— Well, it's a little crazy but also very generous. I can’t ask you to do that for me. It’s really too much to ask of anyone."

TK gets up off his bed and crouches in front of Carlos, his hands on Carlos’s knees. “Firstly, you're not asking, I’m offering. Secondly, consider it a social experiment, like the ones you learn about in class. Except this one directly involves you and me...as your fake boyfriend. You know, for science." --

Fake boyfriends. For science.

Your Place or Mine? | E | 4.5k | college AU

(the sequel to Make the Yuletide Gay)

From best friends to fake boyfriends to real boyfriends, it’s been an eventful few days for TK and Carlos, but now they’re finally back home and alone.

Whatever will they do?

[freneticfloetry]

So I'm two days late with Starbucks, but I'm here. (Does this count toward Seven Sentence Sunday?)

The Reyes family has opened their hearts to him in so many ways. Tonight, TK’s determined to open their home in return, no matter how clueless — or Carlos-less — he might find himself in the process.

Three days of discovering new traditions.

“Okay,” TK says, frowning up at the underside of his favorite jawline, “I’m confused. I thought there were twelve days of Christmas.”

In general, this is a love letter to the mass insanity that is the Mexican holiday season. Specifically, it's a @tarlos-santa gift especially for @sugdenlovesdingle!

esta noche es de alegría (read on AO3)

It’s technically a three-parter, but could be read as a slice-of-life standalone. Will update again on Saturday, and finish up the Saturday after that.

As always, huge thank you to @ambiguouspenny for all the support in my time of flailing (especially since they were plotting in the process).

Merry Christmas Eve to all those who celebrate!

[lire-casander]

don't want to set the world on fire

[rating] teen and up audiences [pairing] carlos reyes/tk strand [prompt] tarlos historical au [warnings] angst with a happy ending, canonical character deaths, pearl harbor au, world war ii, grief, mourning, fluff, kissing, alternating pov

[summary] 1941. tk strand and carlos reyes arrive in hawaii ready to recover from their own, personal tragedies. what they are not expecting is to find love among war.

happy holidays, @tailoredshirt! i really hope you enjoy reading this story just as much as i’ve enjoyed writing it! 

it wouldn’t have made sense without the incredibly fast beta-reading help of @morganaspendragonss and the hand-holding offered by @moviegeek03 when i thought i couldn’t do this. 

title from the song by the ink spots, which was released in 1941.

don't want to set the world on fire 15k+ | read on ao3

March 27th, 1941

“What do you mean, you're going to Europe?” TK tries to control his voice as he chooses to ask the first of the myriad of questions that are exploding in his head.

“They need the help,” Alex explains calmly. He doesn't look TK in the eye when he continues, “That's why I enlisted.”

“You volunteered?” TK screeches, earning themselves a few glares from the other people having dinner at this fancy restaurant where he had thought about proposing to his boyfriend.

Maybe proposing isn't exactly the right word, since they can't actually get married, but TK had planned to promise forever to this man who's now telling him that he's volunteered to step into a war that doesn't even have anything to do with them.

This definitely isn't how TK had envisioned his evening going.

“Yeah,” Alex confirms in a low voice. “It's not unheard of, you know. We need to help.”

“We?” TK huffs. “It's not our war, Alex. Your selflessness is amazing, but I highly doubt that you dying for them is going to change the course of the war.”

“You can't know that,” Alex retorts. He sighs as he stretches his hand across the table to rest it on top of TK’s, but TK jerks back. “TK, please,” he tries again. “I know it's difficult to understand and almost impossible to accept, but all I'm asking of you is to respect my decision.”

“How can you ask me to respect that you want to—die for people who will never even know your name?” He tries to keep his voice steady and still low, so as to not attract any more attention upon them, but it breaks around the middle, tears threatening to fall. “Alex—”

“I'm a pilot,” his boyfriend interrupts. “That's what I am. That's the only thing I am. I know I can help. I'm going to, whether you want me to or not, but I'd hoped that you'd at least understand, what with your father being a high-up and—”

“War was what broke my parents.” It's now TK’s turn to cut the conversation off, veering it towards the pain he's feeling. “How could you think that I'd be fine knowing that you'd volunteered to die halfway across the world? When did this happen? How did I miss it?”

Alex doesn't say anything, as if sensing that TK needs to say everything that's crushing his heart.

“When?” TK asks, voice not louder than a whisper. He remembers, a second too late, the dispatch orders his father's signed this very same morning; TK was at Colonel Strand's office when a secretary came in with a stack of papers allowing American soldiers to fly out the very next morning. “Please don't say—”

“Tomorrow,” Alex says, looking down at his plate.

TK holds his breath for a few seconds, counts to five, and exhales slowly. He repeats to himself that he won't panic, that everything will be fine in the end. After seven rounds of controlled breathing, he feels confident enough to speak, even though his soul is shattered.

“Here I thought that tonight would be the first night of our whole future together…and it's actually the last night for us.”

Alex looks stricken as TK’s words seem to register. TK witnesses his boyfriend understand what his plan had been all along, as a lonely tear rolls down his cheek, as Alex wipes it away discreetly because he's a soldier and he needs to be tough, not sensitive. He looks down at his hands, balled in fists over the tablecloth, and exhales.

“Well,” Alex finally says. He reaches out to touch TK, and this time he lets Alex's fingers smooth the skin over his hands. “If this is our last night together, would you save a dance for me?”

That's what both disarms TK and breaks his heart, at the same time.

He has never been able to say no to Alex, not even once in the whole fourteen months, three weeks, five days and seventeen hours since they started dating. And yes, he's been counting—sue him.

“Of course,” TK breathes out slowly. “Wanna go to the pier after dinner?”

continue reading on ao3!

[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

[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 🥰

[heartstringsduet]

Fandom Holiday Gifts Day 1

Dec 1. Re-Read a comfort fic. This morning I re-read The monsters turned out to be just trees by @liminalmemories21 and going through all the conversations we didn't see in each season. Just, a soft soft hug of a series 💗

[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

[everlastingday]

just for one night

E // 12.2k // Tarlos Holiday AU -- It's Christmas Day, and Carlos is alone in New York City. He just needs to get through the day before he can catch his flight home, but when an unexpected turn of events leads him to a little boy and his older brother, he finds himself thinking maybe the big city isn't so bad after all. -- a.k.a the one-night-in-New-York, holiday rom-com AU

it's finally done!! happy holidays fandom, this one is for all of you lovely people 💜 thanks for welcoming me into the fandom with open arms, and i hope you enjoy this one!

Read now on ao3 ❄️

[oldfangirl81]

Found these from probably a decade ago. But for holiday fics with bad flirting these are helpful.

[rmd-writes]

I challenged myself to write a holiday fic for each of my fandoms this year, with lots of fun tropes and Hallmark vibes for each of them. It was a stretch to get all three out in the time I gave myself, but eight weeks and almost 33,000 words later, I did it!

and then one day, everything changed

david x patrick | T | canon divergent au | 9,186 words | written for the Frozen Over Fest

All David wants to do is sign Marcy Brewer on to sell her amazing fudge at Rose Apothecary. Unfortunately for him, her very snippy, business consultant son gets involved. In an effort to win both Marcy and Patrick over, David invites Patrick to spend some time in the store and on a vendor trip. There’s snow forecast for the day of the vendor trip, but it’s Schitt’s Creek and it never snows. Right?

Make the Yuletide Gay

tarlos | M | college AU; fake dating | 19,694 words

“I'll be your boyfriend for Christmas."

Carlos stares at him like his brain is struggling to comprehend what TK is offering. It's a shared feeling, given that sometimes TK's brain engages before his filter does, and this is definitely one of those times. There’s no room for regrets, though, and he’s not really sure he regrets making the suggestion.

“TK,” Carlos starts softly. "What you're suggesting is— Well, it's a little crazy but also very generous. I can’t ask you to do that for me. It’s really too much to ask of anyone."

TK gets up off his bed and crouches in front of Carlos, his hands on Carlos’s knees. “Firstly, you're not asking, I’m offering. Secondly, consider it a social experiment, like the ones you learn about in class. Except this one directly involves you and me...as your fake boyfriend. You know, for science."

—

Fake boyfriends. For science.

We all know how this story goes.

you’re all that i need

firstprince | M | coffee shop AU | 3,992 words

“Alex.” Henry leans against the wall behind the counter with his arms folded, wearing a pale blue cable knit sweater with the sleeves pushed up and navy chinos. Alex wishes he wouldn’t because it only emphasises his forearms.

He crosses his own arms in response. “Henry.”

“Are you actually looking for a book?” Henry asks with a sigh. “Or are you just wasting my staff’s time?”

“That staff member is my sister.”

“I’m well aware,” Henry says drily. “Doesn’t change the fact that you’re probably wasting her time. Which book are you looking for?”

“Oh.” Alex grimaces slightly. “I’m not actually–” He exhales. “Hunter is in the coffee shop, so I got the fuck out.”

Special thanks to @pragmatic-optimist for betaing Make the Yuletide Gay, @celeritas2997 for betaing you’re all that I need, @welcometololaland for the unhinged comments in my docs (and so much more), and to @howtosingit for coming up with the titles for all of these fics, including the sc fic when he doesn’t even go there 💖

[freneticfloetry]

I’ve hit about half of the @tarlos-santa fics, I think, and there’s still so much more to read! But I just had to loop back and let y’all know how delightful everything has been, and how damn talented Tarlos fandom is.

Real life got the better of me and I wasn’t able to do the fandom advent calendar, so have a couple quick recs from my reading adventures thus far:

Silent Night, Holy Sh*t by @noxsoulmate

If you love competency and soft boys with a side of light whump, boy do I have a fic for you! Features holiday prep and TK going full paramedic, first in the field, where he’s the very picture of calm and perfect bedside manner, and closer to home, where he’s… very much not.

Como Te Quiero Yo (how I love you) by @lemonlyman-dotcom

The boys have a honeymoon filled with happiness, tinged with grief, and somewhat interrupted by ill-thought mollusks. There’s so much joy here, with a little bit of wistful, inevitable sadness, which is among my very favorite flavors of fic.

Sunlight at Night by @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut

For a story that stems from a nightmare, this is an utter dream of a fic. Carlos can’t escape his grief even when he’s not conscious, but consciously tries to go it alone. Luckily, his husband isn’t having that. The balance of emotions here is absolutely masterful, punctuated by a Carlos who’s lost in a grief that manifests as guilt and a TK whose love and support and reaching past his own helplessness are both painfully, perfectly rendered. Just unbearably, unbelievably gorgeous.

While this isn’t an exchange fic, I couldn’t not rec it here.

Once Upon a Bus by @liminalmemories21

The bus fic lives! Carlos is a food blogger whose days are filled with caring for family, TK is a man in limbo who’s taken up a temporary gig, and together they are the cutest, sweetest, most mutually-oblivious pair of precious dumdums the world has ever seen. The instant connection we’re so used to in canon is absolutely there, but it’s only chemistry and pining (until it’s not). And while this is a slow burn of sorts, the progress they make in stolen moments and little snatches of conversation is so intriguing and full of such progress, such genuine connection, that you never feel like you’re waiting for them to begin. As a bonus — but as is business as usual for Lim — the OCs are absolutely delightful. I’m so in love.

And dammit, read my giftfic! It’s perfection, as is Tay.

starvin’ darlin’ by @ambiguouspenny

Starts with confident Carlos and surly TK, and gets much deeper than that. Pun fully intended — this is hot, y’all. But also sweet, and soft, and so fully rendered in such a small space that it’s kind of astounding. I want all the words ever in this verse.

there is so much new fic I legitimately don’t know where to start.

this is such a good problem to have.

[lutavero]

@tellmegoodbye 's AO3 summary for @tarlos-santa 2024!

Hi Harley! I was your Secret Santa this year! 🎅 I got inspired by your "anything inspired by my fics" prompt - I know it was literally the last option 🙈 - but I simply couldn't choose! So I went and made a little something for all of your Lone Star fics! It's full off little easter eggs on every gifs, my favorite is definitely how every single "This fic is" are from your comments on those fics! I really hope you'll love them just as much as I loved to make these! Happy Holidays!! 🎄🎄✨✨

Template

[lemonlyman-dotcom]

This Infinite Love

~Fic Fully Posted~

Hello! It is my honor and pleasure to kick off this year’s @tarlos-santa Secret Santa Event!! I’ve got a seven chapter fic for my giftee @emsprovisions, so I’ll be posting a chapter a day til Friday. Seven Days of Tarlos Christmas & Hanukkah joy! Note for Em: I hope you enjoy this one! I tried to incorporate all the soft holiday feels you wanted 🎁

T | 30k | Canon Compliant

Three years after adopting TK’s little brother, the Strand Reyes family has settled into a happy life. But when Jonah gets sick and is devastated to miss his big class Christmas party, his extended family rallies together to throw him a holiday party he’ll never forget. Join Carlos, TK & Jonah as they celebrate the holidays, reflect on the life they’ve built as a family and navigate some big life decisions along the way.

Chapter One: Baby, This Love I Have | Chapter Two: Love Is… | Chapter Three: LOVE. | Chapter Four: Melody of Love | Chapter Five: Get Down (With My Love) | Chapter Six: Sunshine of Your Love | Chapter Seven: The Sun Will Never Set on Our Love

Infinite thanks to @tarlos-santa for organizing and for allowing me to kick off the event! And to @bonheur-cafe for being an amazing beta! Thanks to the people who have encouraged me, let me bounce ideas off them, answered questions like what is the hot snack amongst the first graders and what Pokémon game Nancy and Mateo would play with a bunch of six year olds: @chicgeekgirl89 @shes-an-oddbird @carlos-in-glasses @guardian-angle22 @thisbuildinghasfeelings @laelipoo 💕

🎧 Playlist here!

Read on ao3

[welcometololaland]

Fandom Holiday Gifts

Day 7 - Read a Fic Under 2,000 Words

Yes, I skipped a day again - SUE ME

From the Corner of the Room by @bonheur-cafe (911 Lone Star, Tarlos, G)

This is coffee shop, alternate first meeting is so sugary sweet and flirty! It's the perfect little dose of Tarlos for your day. It also has some silly Nancy/Mateo banter to top it off and Carlos rolling his eyes fondly. Loved 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