#tarlos with kids

[carlossreaders]

WIP WEDNESDAY

Gwyn never left, she only shushed him gently and asked Daniel to go home, that she needed to talk to her son. She held TK until morning, reminding him every so often that her love will never wither.

His dad found out a week later, when he sat down with him and his mother and they told him together. He was surprised, and at first, his reaction wasn’t very reassuring. But he shook his head and reminded TK that this was new to him, but he would not not love his son.

And true to their word, they had never acted differently around him. When he got his first boyfriend, they were happy for him, and reminded him to stay safe.

When he proposed and was rejected, when he overdosed, they held him in a hospital bed, his younger brother in his lap, and soothed him until he felt better about his breakup.

thanks for the tags!! @henrygrass @welcometololaland @strandnreyes

no pressure tags! @heartstringsduet @goodways @paperstorm @lightningboltreader @reyesstrand @bonheur-cafe @alrightbuckaroo @rmd-writes @liminalmemories21 @orchidscript @three-drink-amy @honeybee-taskforce @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 @nisbanisba @irispurpurea @everlastingday @carlos-tk @orchidscript @literateowl @thisbuildinghasfeelings @theghostofashton @neversleepuntilfive + open tag!

[alrightbuckaroo]

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

[unstatedmartini]

carlos coming home at 3 in the morning and it's okay because when he's home he's HOME and tk still leaves a light on but it's not a lamp on the sidetable it's the nightlight next to the race car bed and it's hard to sleep in with a toddler but sometimes carlos is up first and it's a sunny morning and a long walk and scones from the coffee shop and sometimes tk wakes up first and it's snoozed alarms and snuggles and chocolate chip pancakes and they're so so so so happy

[dashing-disaster]

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

[carlossreaders]

something worth waiting for

M // 60k // 6/6; complete // 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

chapter four // chapter five // the epilogue

[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.

[carlossreaders]

WIP WEDNESDAY

i believe this is my first time posting this fic on wip wednesday!

“Can I be like you when I grow up?”

TK frowns. He doesn’t want Jonah to ever be anything like him. He swallows, “how do you mean?”

Jonah twists, looking up at his older brother with wonder in his dark eyes. His mothers eyes. His palm lands against TK’s, near his camera. “You’re cool, and people like you.”

TK sighs, and even with the lack of correct pronunciation, he understands.

“Jonah, you are already cool. And Charlie likes you, I love you.” He lightly tickles his stomach, “you can be whoever you want to be. You can be Jonah Robert Strand.”

Jonah grins, “whoever I want?”

TK nods, squeezing him tightly. “Whoever you want.”

thanks for the tags!! @heartstringsduet @whatsintheboxmh

no pressure tags! @heartstringsduet @goodways @paperstorm @lightningboltreader @strandnreyes @reyesstrand @bonheur-cafe @alrightbuckaroo @welcometololaland @rmd-writes @liminalmemories21 @orchidscript @three-drink-amy @honeybee-taskforce @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 @nisbanisba @henrygrass @irispurpurea @everlastingday @carlos-tk @orchidscript @literateowl @thisbuildinghasfeelings @theghostofashton + open tag!

[alrightbuckaroo]

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

[theghostofashton]

my post from yesterday also had me thinking about things i would have loved to see in a s6 (things i will now most definitely be exploring in fics) and something i'd really to also get into is carlos struggling with fatherhood. not because he won't be good at it (canonically he's good with kids and all signs point to him being a wonderful parent), but jumping into it so soon after losing his own father and navigating his complicated feelings about parenthood as a whole. the fact that he for some time thought he would never become one, primarily because he was so worried he wouldn't be good at it.

carlos, at his core, is so sensitive, and he's struggled a lot with that and the way it's tied to his relationship with his father and his worries about being a father, and i think that would be such an interesting concept. he's doing everything right but he doesn't feel like he's measuring up. he did the best he could on a particular day but it didn't feel like enough. and how he works through it and unpacks those emotions and figures out what his own version of fatherhood looks like. i love that thought

[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