#tarlos with kids

[carlossreaders]

something worth waiting for

M // 60k // 3/6; updates tuesdays // canon divergence

After one of his children suffer a health scare, Carlos Reyes is forced to be in close proximity to his ex husband, TK Strand. He finds himself confronted by feelings that he shoved far down bubbling back up inside of him, threatening to spill over.

Or, the divorced tarlos co-parenting fic that nobody asked for, but I decided to write.

////

chapter one // chapter two // chapter three

[alrightbuckaroo]

thinking about the police station scene makes me go still like a russian sleeper agent hearing their activation phrase

[dashing-disaster]

Kinda hoping that Tarlos will adopt Jonah just because that child needs a haircut and a wardrobe overhaul so bad

[carlossreaders]

MOOD BOARD

something worth waiting for

RELEASING JANUARY 21ST

I am using this little mood board game as a way to announce the release date of this fic and the title!!! I’m so beyond excited to let this enter the world and I hope you guys will all love it just as much as I do!

thank you for creating the game @carlos-in-glasses, and @heartstringsduet for tagging me!!

no pressure tags! @goodways @paperstorm @lightningboltreader @strandnreyes @reyesstrand @bonheur-cafe @alrightbuckaroo @welcometololaland @rmd-writes @liminalmemories21 @orchidscript @three-drink-amy @honeybee-taskforce @theghostofashton @pimento-playing-hopscotch @herefortarlos @sapphic--kiwi @emsprovisions @ironheartwriter @tellmegoodbye @the-126-family @captain-gillian @butchreyes @whatsintheboxmh @chicgeekgirl89 @eclectic-sassycoweyes @lemonlyman-dotcom @freneticfloetry @never-blooms @bonheur-cafe @decafdingo @corsage @nisbanisba @henrygrass @nancys-braids @irispurpurea @everlastingday @carlos-tk @pameluke @orchidscript @literateowl

[alrightbuckaroo]

when life gives you lemons

With ao3 down, it seems like the perfect time to transfer more stories from my 100 Ways to Say I Love You series over here! Here's one from early 2023. Credit to this user for the divider and I hope you enjoy <3

“TK?” Jonah’s voice is quiet and TK can hear his confusion clear through the question. “Am I doing something wrong?”

He looks up at TK; his eyebrows knitted together, and his lower lip is jutted out. His green eyes showing slight defeat. TK doesn’t know how to do it; but he knows he wants that look to go away. “Of course not, buddy. We just need to be patient; someone will walk by, eventually.”

TK didn’t say it out loud; but he wasn’t too sure how true that would be with it being in the high 80s on a Thursday afternoon in the suburbs of Austin.

Jonah doesn’t seem too convinced by TK’s false optimism so TK tries his next best trick; distraction.

“Why don’t you inside, grab some more markers, huh?” TK suggests. “We can make some more signs, use some of that glitter glue we got yesterday.”

Jonah dejectedly agrees before hoping off of his chair and walking through the opened garage and into their house.

TK occupies his time alone by spinning the mixing spoon in the pitcher of strawberry fizzy lemonade and rearranging the red plastic cups. He feels his phone start to vibrate agains the table and hurries to grab it, at risk of the newly arranged cups becoming askew.

“Hey,” TK answers, not bothering to see who it is.

“Hey babe,” Carlos’ voice is cutting through the line and TK smiles to himself. He sounds exhausted but TK loves the sound just the same. “I’m heading home, did you want me to pick up anything for dinner?”

TK looks at the pitcher of lemonade again before answering. “Do you think we already have everything for chicken Alfredo?”

Carlos is quiet a moment, visualizing what they already have in the kitchen. “I think so, but, I’ll probably pick up some more Parmesan cheese anyways. We just had it a couple of nights ago, is it that high in demand again already?”

TK shrugs even though he knows Carlos can't see him. “It’s Jonah’s favorite and I think he just needs a little bit of a pick me up.”

“What’s going on?” TK can hear Carlos getting into this car, the sound of his voice becoming more insulated.

“We’re selling lemonade.” TK mixes the pitcher again as he sees some of the flavoring start to settle at the bottom. “Well, we’re trying to.”

“TK, I already told you we can afford the science camp we’re sending Jonah to this week.” Carlos jokes.

TK fights a laugh before he replies. “First of all, it’s math camp this week, science was last week and second,” TK leans against the back his chair. “You’re not funny.”

“Oh you know you laughed,” Carlos answers, seeing right through TK.

“Anyways,” TK says, moving swiftly on. “Last week they learned how to make fizzy lemonade as a science experiment. This week, they watched a School House Rock special about how to save money. Long story short, I have a seven year old who has decided to go toe to toe with Country Time Lemonade.” TK explains and Carlos laughs. “Though it’s not looking to good for us but Jonah doesn’t want to give up.”

“Well, he is your brother.” Carlos remarks, off-handedly.

“I’m assuming that’s a good thing?”

“It’s the best thing, TK” Carlos answers. “You never do anything halfway; you should have known Jonah wouldn’t either.”

“That’s true.” TK mumbles. “And we are both our mother’s child.” TK mutters to himself, thinking fondly about Gwyn. Gwyn always tried her best not to give up on anything, on anyone; on him. “It’s just, we haven’t had any customers and I can tell it’s starting to get to him. I don’t want him to be sad about something out of his control.”

Carlos is silent a moment before replying, “Well, between you and me, I think his luck might change soon.”

TK’s looking over the signs he and Jonah had spent the last 20 minutes working on. He points at a black and yellow blob. “And that is,”

“It’s a bumblebee, TK.” Jonah rolls his eyes. “Can’t you see the stinger?”

TK looks at the drawing closer, not seeing anything different. “Oh yeah, it’s right there.” TK points in a general direction and Jonah moves his finger down until he’s pointing at something completely different. “Ah, got it.”

He holds up the sign, “Why bumblebees? We’re not selling honey.”

Jonah releases a very purposeful and heavy sigh. “They’re yellow? Like the lemons?”

TK nods his head, “Oh yes, obviously.”

Before TK can continue to embarrass himself is front of the seven year old business mogul himself, he sees a movement out of the corner of his eyes. He turns slightly to see Carlos walking down the sidewalk. He’s still dressed in his uniform and TK can’t help but feel a pang sympathy for him. Last time he checked his watch it was 86 degrees; and that was an hour ago.

Carlos walks up to where both he and Jonah are sitting before saying, “Hey there, so I was in the neighborhood.

TK’s eyebrows furrow, “Carlos we’re married, we live together, this is our neighborhood.”

“Just go with it, babe.” Carlos says through a tired smile. “Anyways, I was in the neighborhood and couldn’t help but be drawn to this colorful sign. I really love the bumblebees.”

Jonah’s smile is so bright TK can feel himself falling in love with Carlos all over again. “Thanks! He didn’t even know where the stinger was.” Jonah using his thumb to gesture to TK.

“How could he not,” Carlos jokes and TK can start to see where this is going. “Isn’t it that,” Carlos points to exactly where the stinger is. “Right there?”

“Is there something we can help you with, sir?” TK asks the question; annoyed but more importantly, playful.

“Well, I was hoping to buy some lemonade, and this seemed like the perfect place.” Carlos smiles and TK swears he can see all traces of defeat leave Jonah’s eyes. “What do you have?”

Jonah begins to talk Carlos through the both options: classic lemonade, strawberry lemonade; both fizzy. “It’s twenty-five cents a cup.”

“Hmm,” Carlos looks over the pitchers, weighing his options. “How much for the both pitchers?”

“You want to buy all of it?” Jonah asks, eyes wide.

“Yeah, how much are we looking at?” Carlos asks, reaching for his wallet. TK gently nudges Jonah, whispering loud enough for Carlos to hear. “Overcharge him.”

Jonah ignores him as Carlos laughs and pulls out a five. Jonah does the math, and TK watches his work. He can see the math camp is doing him some good. When Jonah tells him how much it’ll be, Carlos hands over the five and tells him to keep the change.

“Thanks, Carlos.” Jonah smiles up at Carlos, one of his front teeth missing.

“Go put that with the money you got from the tooth fairy, okay?” TK suggests. “Then come back out here so we can clean this all up before dinner.”

TK watches after Jonah before turning and looking up at Carlos. “You’re ridiculous.”

“You love it.” Carlos argues and TK sighs as he stands up and begins pouring the lemonade from the cups back into the pitchers.

“You know I do.” TK leans forward looking around them and the houses next to them. “Where’s your baby?”

“What are you talking about, you’re standing right there.” Carlos says the words casually.

TK smiles despite himself. “You’re cute, I mean your car.”

“Parked down at the Bakers; don’t worry, I let Mandy know.” Carlos shrugs, “Felt like parking in the drive way and walking up would ruin the illusion.” Carlos gestures to the plastic bag in hand, “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go put some Parmesan cheese in the fridge before this Texas heat causes it to spoil.”

TK grabs Carlos’ shoulder before he makes it too far, “Babe,” He looks up at Carlos. “Thank you.”

“Anything for you two.” Carlos smiles. “Chicken Alfredo paired with a ice cold glass of fizzy lemonade. Sounds like a pretty perfect dinner to me, don’t you think?”

TK smiles. “About as perfect as could be.”

[sageandred]

I think that Tarlos-Jonah scene had the potential to end me this episode. Carlos sleep-rights (as I've always known); Jonah jumping on Carlos; them being a domestic little family; "Papa-Bro"...I was about to cry.

[nancys-braids]

tarlos in a nutshell <3

[carlossreaders]

WIP WEDNESDAY

“TK–.”

“Carlos, stop. I don’t owe you an explanation. We’re not married anymore, remember? You loved to keep reminding me of that tonight.” Carlos has a confused expression written on his face, but TK doesn’t give any further explanation.

“What does that even mean?” TK shakes his head, closing his eyes as if he is trying not to get too upset and raise his voice. “Nothing, Carlos. I have to go,” he walks toward the door, and leaves without a goodbye from either of them.

no pressure tags! @heartstringsduet @goodways @paperstorm @lightningboltreader @strandnreyes @reyesstrand @bonheur-cafe @alrightbuckaroo @welcometololaland @rmd-writes @liminalmemories21 @orchidscript @three-drink-amy @honeybee-taskforce @theghostofashton @pimento-playing-hopscotch @herefortarlos @sapphic--kiwi @emsprovisions @ironheartwriter @tellmegoodbye @the-126-family @captain-gillian @butchreyes @whatsintheboxmh @chicgeekgirl89 @carlos-in-glasses @eclectic-sassycoweyes @lemonlyman-dotcom @freneticfloetry @never-blooms @bonheur-cafe @decafdingo @corsage @nisbanisba @henrygrass @nancys-braids @irispurpurea @everlastingday @carlos-tk @pameluke @orchidscript @literateowl

[alrightbuckaroo]

i would immediately die in A Quiet Place because i would turn on the police station scene

[v88sy]

I've said it before and I'll said it again, it really hope this isn't the "kids conversation" because God, I hate that media trope.

I know it's too early, and I can see Buck totally acknowledging that fact but adding "if this is gonna be a deal breaker it's better to know now before we're in too deep" and Tommy just says "I think it's a little late for that."

[strandnreyes]

I know there is controversy but also a lot of speculation over if Tarlos get Jonah or it leads them to want kids eventually somewhere down the road, but with what has been HEAVILY implied with them ending up with Jonah.

Watching the scene with them bickering over wrapping paper and lying about their whereabouts, all I could think was "Oh my God, they are going to be someone's parents and TK thinks he can hide a guitar with wrapping paper and Carlos thinks he can manifest wrapping paper out of his sight" they're so stupid and I love them so much.

yeahhh like I would’ve been fine with them having kids or not if it’s done right, and I’m always happy with the way heavy storylines are handled so I’m not too worried about it.

the thought of them being absolute disaster for Jonah’s or whatever kids first birthday with them makes me giggle. like they would try so hard, but one of them would pick up the wrong cake and they would be wrapping presents in their room when kid walks in and they’re scrambling to hide everything. thinking about them being a team in that sense makes me 🥹🥹🥹

[bucksboobs]

Tarlos are gonna adopt TK’s little half-brother because TK’s stepdad went down for tax evasion? Gay people can’t even be normal about adoption smdh.

[beeesworld]

J's classmate: You have two dads?!

Jonah: Brother!

Other kid: They're your brothers?

Jonah: No, just that one. The other one's just always around.

[mcbscientist]

Hey fic writers I never ask for anything but who’s gonna write about Tarlos gossiping on the ride home about Tommy and Trevor drama??? 🤣

[herefortarlos]

911: Lone Star 5x07 First Looks

[tellmegoodbye]

Wherever the show goes with the prospect of Tarlos having kids, I'm personally neutral either way.

What I would really like to see is a conversation about why Carlos doesn’t want kids. He said that he "doesn't think he's there yet, or ever will be" which gives us a lot of room to really unpack where these feelings are comining from, and I could think of a couple reasons for it.

Carlos never really allowed himself to think about think about those big milestones in life. Falling in love with a boy, marrying him, starting a family, etc For the longest time he had assumed he would have to compromise on everything, so it's understandable that this isn't something he's truly allowed himself to consider.

Carlos was very adamant about telling TK he would be an amazing father, but I think he needs to hear someone tell him that. He still has a lot of emotional healing to do, and that would absolutely cause him to have hesitations about having kids. He's convinced that he wouldn’t be a good father, maybe because he's scared of inadvertently passing down some of the same emotional trauma he experienced growing up.

In any case, I can also understand that the addition of a kid at any point may not be everyone's cup of tea, and it definitely would be an odd decision to do it now.

I for one don't necessarily think that will happen this season, but I do think the conversion will come up again, and I hope they give Carlos a chance to dig into his feelings and express them, regardless of whether or not he becomes more resolute in his stance or if he reconsideres it.

So, this isn’t to say "he just hasn't realized xyz yet". Whichever way it goes, I just want the conversion to happen and for TK to give him another one of these hugs.