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thelolzblog · 1 year

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Putting the "Pen" in "Pencil"

I do not like to write with pencils. I will, when needed. I try to avoid it as much as possible, though. I’ve tried different “models” of mechanical pencils, including those that boasted pen-like casings that coworkers recommended. But none quite worked for me.

Until this week. Or weekend really. Let’s not get pedantic here.

I prefer pens, and a really good, smooth pen? *chef’s kiss* I have horrible handwriting, and I cramp up very easily (fingers, hands, wrist, you name it). But a really good pen can transcend its job as a writing instrument and become the tool that harmonizes your hand with the paper.

My primary pen of choice for over a decade has been the BiC Atlantis. Its price makes it more of an economy class model, but that’s okay because I need them in bulk so I can bring them to work, too. Additionally, my purse, bags, and desk drawers are where pens go to die — or at least hang out in limbo until they’re unearthed on the archaeological expeditions that are decluttering attempts.

Because of how much I prefer pens over pencils, I have always done crossword puzzles in pen. It’s not usually a problem, and I didn’t even think it was that big of deal until others pointed it out to me. I love crosswords. I love pens. It just made sense. (Semi-brag: friends have handed puzzles over to me they get stuck on so I can finish it.) I also have tons of crossword books, and they’re a great stress relief that also wakes your brain up — the good part, not the part that is going Chicken Little in the moment. Most are “easy” NY Times ones, and the one actual Sunday puzzle collection I bought was just too tricky for me to try and figure out. It now remains in my spare room just in case I need to rip it up for cat litter in an emergency.

A friend recently gave me a (very late) Christmas present: an NYT crossword book. Hooray! I kept it at work to do a couple clues between tasks to feed my ADHD and keep me going. However! These are medium-level puzzles. And they mean it! I realized after a few that doing them in pen was probably not the best thing anymore. It was time to admit my puzzle prowess was weakened. It was time to admit that I needed to get a good pencil. You always remember where you were when these kind of life turns happen, and I was at my desk wondering if my friend purposefully got me the harder book to mess with me.

But finding the right pencil for crosswords was…wait for it…the real puzzle to solve.

The search began, and unfortunately Google kept giving me results for pens that write like pencils, and not the other way around. (Okay, okay. We GET it. There are erasable pens. Papermate has been on top of that since I was in school. I’ve also used some that wrote well, but the erasing is really just applying heat through friction. Which means things disappear if your paper gets hot. ANYWAY.)

I just started searching on my next grocery order. BiC had some promising options — smooth and hard-to-break. The store ended up being out of one type, but they did have the .9 (thick) Velocity Max. I tried them, and they weren’t bad. The large eraser is convenient. It both comforts and mocks you: “We know you’re going to make huge mistakes, and we don’t want your arm to get tired trying to remove them. Here’s your big eraser, you big screw up!” They even come with extra lead and erasers. How thoughtful! The problem is the grip: the softer, gel-like part is too high. I did manage to slide it down lower. It looks odd, but it’s more comfortable. The bottom part is just too narrow and has nothing added to it for comfort. Not ideal, but doable. Even if one of the two colors they came in was orange, and we all know that orange is a color that tries too hard.

Luckily I tend to go into hyper obsessive research and testing mode. This usually just wastes my time away, but this time it came in handy! While looking online, I saw an item that I couldn’t help but add to my cart. A Wish List is no place for a pen like this. It was a 4-color BiC pen, with 3 ink colors and 1 option for pencil. It was a sleeker, multi-functional upgrade from those multi-colored pens I adored in childhood: it was the pen version of when the Power Rangers all put their vehicles together and made the big, large thing. Megazord. It was the Megazord. I couldn’t pull it out of my memory, but that’s to be expected from my pencil-for-crossword-needing old brain.

I am happy to report there was a fairy tale ending here. The good, non-messy kind that doesn’t leave a dead witch, giant, or talking wolf in its wake. (I can confirm no fantasy beings were harmed in the testing of these pens.) The grip on the 4-color pen is wide and feels great, much better than the Velocity model. The grip and lead make for a truly smooth writing experience, and I have tested it out on at least 10 crosswords at this point.

And what of the actual pen colors on it? This thing could’ve settled for just being a good pencil, but no. BiC said, “We don’t stop here. We keep going. We make this pen worth every penny.” Which was nice of them because it is not cheap, and it will run you between $5.50 to $7 — more than 1 dollar for each option. (They do throw in extra lead and erasers, just to note.) The width makes for a great writing experience for all colors. I actually used it at work yesterday to color code some notes, and it is definitely going to be in regular rotation for more than just the pencil part.

Very happy I purchased it, and I also bought some new highlighters. But that’s a review for another day.

#z writes things #this is literally a review on pens/pencils #but you asked for it #and by you #chicgeekgirl89 #sspaz1000

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rosedavid · 8 months

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Nice Ask Day: What was your first fandom and why did you love it?

Thank you! :)

My first fandom was Percy Jackson and the Olympians! It was the first book series I really connected with and just thought about like, all the time, and when the new series came out (Heroes of Olympus), I started to wonder what would happen in the next books between waits, and I started to write my own versions! That's how I discovered fanfiction and fandom space in general! I don't know, Percy Jackson is just so funny and light-hearted and fun with the mythology. It's funny because that was 10 years ago, that I first started writing fic, and now in 2023, my PJO obsession is back for the new book and show! (Although did it every really leave?)

Anyway, if you haven't read PJO, HIGHLY recommend it!! And check out the new book coming out in a few weeks and the show coming out on Disney plus in December!!!

#chicgeekgirl89 #pjo #asks #answered #nice ask day

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chrisodonline · 2 years

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tag game ⚖️

this or that - tagged by @chicgeekgirl89

hot shower or cold shower // texting or calling // earbuds or headphones // paperback or hardcover // matte and gel (neither) // 12 hour clock or 24 hour clock // blue or green (I guess I should say blue for COD?) // sunsets or sunrises // tulips or orchids // candle light or moonlight // scifi or horror // pen or pencil // pandas or koalas // gold or silver // sneakers and boots // denim jacket or leather jacket // pink or purple (your fave could never)// chocolate or sour candy // deodorant or perfume // drive-in movie theater or the cinema (just let me stay home) // pastel colors or neutral/earth tones (this really depends on what it is, though.) // lemonade or fruit juice // past or future

Tagging: (not sure who all hasn’t been) @sharktofu @theasaff @imperiumwifestrikesagain

#tag game #chicgeekgirl89 #thanks love!

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chaotictarlos · 9 months

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Ahhh congrats on getting your own classroom! Best of luck to you, make sure to take time for yourself when you can, the beginning of the year is brutal!

Thank you!! I have been working in some self care everyday because it's a lot. I get home every night feeling exhausted!

#chicgeekgirl89 #chaotic asks

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lemonlyman-dotcom · 8 days

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Seven Sentence Sunday! Thank you for the tags @im-overstimulated-and-im-sad @carlos-tk @chicgeekgirl89 @sugdenlovesdingle @sznofthesticks 💕 And thank you to @vineofroses for the beta on this!!

Love Of My Life …Pain In My Ass!

New fic live on ao3 now! Special gift for @guardian-angle22 & @sznofthesticks 🥰

—TK gets an impulse tattoo and Carlos is very emotional about it—

“Carlos,” TK sighs. “It’s my ass, just accept it.”

“Accept it?” Carlos roars, sitting up straighter and dropping his sandwich. “Acceptance is stage five. I’m grieving, TK.” He holds up his right hand with all five fingers stretched out, wiggling them aggressively. “There are five stages of grief!”

“Oh yeah, and what stage are you in right now, Carlos?” Paul asks amusedly.

“Right now I am firmly planted between stages one and two. Denial and anger.”

“Baby, don’t you think you’re being a bit …overdramatic?”

“No, TK, I do not think I’m being overdramatic.” He emphasizes the word with very dramatic air quotes. “Your ass is very special to me. It’s one of my most precious possessions—”

“Okay, well it’s my ass…”

Tagging @nancygillianmvp @welcometololaland @honeybee-taskforce @strandnreyes @eclectic-sassycoweyes @heartstringsduet @ladytessa74 @carlos-in-glasses @fitzherbertssmolder @thisbuildinghasfeelings @whatsintheboxmh @bonheur-cafe @fallout-mars @your-catfish-friend @kiwichaeng @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut @paperstorm @liminalmemories21 @alrightbuckaroo @lightningboltreader @literateowl @freneticfloetry @tinyluminaryzombie @basilsunrise @herefortarlos @filet-o-feelings @rmd-writes @theghostofashton @reyesstrand @never-blooms @iboatedhere @certifiedflower @decafdino and OPEN TAG 🏷️

#tarlos #911 lone star #tarlos fic #tarlos fanfic #tk strand x carlos reyes #seven sentence sunday

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welcometololaland · 2 months

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thanks @kiwiana-writes and @suseagull04 - sorry, this is a proof of life wip wednesday to prove that i'm still writing tarlos 💜

“Where did you learn to de-escalate like that?” Carlos asks, moving to stand beside TK after speaking to the owners of the respective vehicles. No one is particularly happy, but there’s nothing Carlos can do about a rogue pedestrian in the wrong place at the wrong time. At the end of the day, it’s lucky no one got seriously hurt. TK scoffs, but the challenging smile he throws at Carlos does unspeakable things to his blood pressure. “You think we don’t get that kind of training in fire?” “I wouldn’t know,” Carlos admits. “I’m not a firefighter.” “A shame,” TK hums softly, nudging his shoulder against Carlos'. “I think you’d look really good in the uniform.” “I’m sorry,” Carlos retorts, his mouth running dry at the bold statement. “This uniform isn’t good enough for you?” “This uniform is very good,” TK agrees, stepping back, his eyes roaming up and down Carlos’ body. It makes Carlos feel hot all over. “Very tight. Those shirts cannot be regulation.” Carlos raises his eyebrows in mock indignation. “They are.” TK shrugs. “Whatever you say, Officer. I just think the Austin FD pants are more flattering on the ass.” Before Carlos can respond, TK walks back towards Cody and Michelle, throwing a wink over one shoulder. It’s so bold, so obvious that it makes Carlos want to scream. They’re flirting. They have to be flirting. And yet, Carlos has absolutely no idea what he’s supposed to do about it.

open tag for all who wish to take up the challenge and some lone star targeted attacks below.

@bonheur-cafe @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut @carlos-in-glasses @carlos-tk @orchidscript @catanisspicy @alrightbuckaroo @rmd-writes @chicgeekgirl89 @birdclowns @wandering-night19 @three-drink-amy @kiwichaeng @reyesstrand @doublel27 @goodways @strandnreyes @theghostofashton @sanjuwrites @heartstringsduet @freneticfloetry @redshirt2 @lemonlyman-dotcom @sznofthesticks @basilsunrise @thisbuildinghasfeelings @louis-ii-reyes-strand @liminalmemories21 @hippolotamus @whatsintheboxmh @fitzherbertssmolder @herefortarlos @im-overstimulated-and-im-sad @jesuisici33 @lightningboltreader

#911 lone star #tarlos #tk strand #carlos reyes #wip wednesday #welcometololaland

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liminalmemories21 · 29 days

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Some Number of Sentence Sunday

tagged by @paperstorm, @sanjuwrites, @strandnreyes, @carlos-in-glasses, @three-drink-amy, @freneticfloetry, @bonheur-cafe. Thank you!

He calls TK from the car. “I’m being followed.” He peers in the rear view mirror and rolls his eyes. “Badly.” TK snorts. “Would you like a more competent criminal?” He turns on his blinker for the turn back to the hotel. “Yes. You were always competent. It’s why Matt liked you.” TK makes an outraged noise. “Excuse you. I was more than competent. I was a fucking master of my craft.” Carlos grins and pulls into the garage. “I’m about to lose service.” TK sobers abruptly. “I can’t tell you to stay safe, but promise me you’ll be careful.” He can’t really promise that either. “I promise I will come home to you.” It’s the same promise TK has made him three times now, and he’s come back to Carlos every time. It feels like a good luck charm.

tagging @carlos-tk, @rmd-writes, @jesuisici33, @herefortarlos, @lightningboltreader, and @chicgeekgirl89

#wip #911 lonestar #tarlos #knave-verse #au

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strandnreyes · 12 days

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thanks @welcometololaland :)

“They’re for my boss. Carlos lives with her, they’re family friends.”

“That’s sweet of you,” his mom coos only to pause and reconsider, “TK, what did you do?”

“Nothing!” he insists as he continues measuring out ingredients, luckily no one else is in the room to hear his end of the conversation. “She’s known Carlos since he was a baby. I want to make a good impression.”

Not a total lie, TK supposes.

His mom is quiet for a bit as TK starts to mix the batter and when TK’s about to check the phone to make sure he didn’t accidentally hang up, she says, “You really like this boy, don’t you?”

TK freezes with his finger covered in cookie dough halfway to his mouth. He slowly licks off the chocolatey flavor before turning around and slumping against the counter. “Yeah,” he admits quietly. He's falling head over heels faster than he can keep up with. It’s a terrible idea, but he knows he can’t go back now.

He listens to his mom breathing on the other end of the line for a few moments and if he closes his eyes, it’s almost like he’s on her couch, reliving the other times he’s told her about a boy. Except this time, he found one that he’s actually proud to tell his parents about.

“What happens at the end of the summer?” she asks gently. “You said he’s from Austin.”

“I don’t know,” TK mumbles. “We haven’t talked about it.”

tagging @alrightbuckaroo @bonheur-cafe @basilsunrise @chicgeekgirl89 @carlos-in-glasses @carlos-tk @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut @reyesstrand @rmd-writes @three-drink-amy @theghostofashton @safeaswrites @sznofthesticks @doublel27 @freneticfloetry @heartstringsduet @paperstorm @lightningboltreader @liminalmemories21 @lemonlyman-dotcom + open tag!

#911 lone star #tarlos #wip wednesday

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carlos-in-glasses · 5 days

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Starting us off bright and early and wishing everyone a great day! ❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜🩷

Although we do have the sad banner today lads.

From chapter 4 of I Was Thinking About Your Mouth, coming Sunday:

“I think I’m going to skip dinner tonight. I’m not really hungry.” He sounds nasal and faraway and Carlos is standing here, looking at him seriously, but all he wants to do is hold him tight and let him cry into his chest.

“You always say that and then you end up eating at 2 am.”

TK winces with irritation but still politely responds, “I just feel like being alone tonight if that’s okay.” Doesn’t really have the energy to argue.

“No,” Carlos tells him, “It’s not okay. Get up. I mean it.” Risky, using this tone. Sometimes TK is highly amenable to being bossed around. Sometimes Carlos pitches it all wrong.

But TK does get up – softly sulky as he humors Carlos and heaves himself off the bed. He follows Carlos with obvious reluctance, although Carlos is confident he’d have been coaxed anyway by the scent of heating tomato and mozzarella, like always. He knows details about TK that nobody else could ever know because they’d never care enough, except for Owen and Gwyn as his parents. Now one of the people who knows the most about TK is gone forever, and it occurs to Carlos then about the loneliness of it. Every time someone who loves you falls out of the world, they take a part of you with them. They take the facts and the secrets they’ve been privy to, the little details and quirks that they found relevant and charming for reasons of their own. When Carlos told TK he wants all of his pieces, he meant it more than even he realized at the time. He wants not just the addiction and recovery-related aspects of TK’s experiences and emotions – he wants everything that Gwyn took with her when she went. “Send it all back to me and I’ll do it for you,” Carlos prays to her silently, “Send all your love for TK back to me.”

Open tag and tags below

@nancygillianmvp @safeaswrites @literateowl

@kiwichaeng @fallout-mars @sznofthesticks

@eclectic-sassycoweyes @im-overstimulated-and-im-sad

@carlos-tk @whatsintheboxmh @vineofroses

@three-drink-amy @orchidscript @mikibwrites

@herefortarlos @fitzherbertssmolder

@sugdenlovesdingle @honeybee-taskforce @theghostofashton @freneticfloetry

@lemonlyman-dotcom @chicgeekgirl89 @sanjuwrites @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut

@alrightbuckaroo @liminalmemories21 @heartstringsduet @never-blooms

@ladytessa74 @welcometololaland @rmd-writes @lightningboltreader

@goodways @reyesstrand @paperstorm @bonheur-cafe

@strandnreyes @chaotictarlos @thisbuildinghasfeelings

If you want to share! No pressure ever! ❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜🩷

#wip wednesday #I was thinking about your Mouth #bj fic #cig fic #my fic #tarlos fanfic #tarlos fic

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rmd-writes · 26 days

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Doing this while it's still Wednesday for me for once! Thanks for the tags @heartstringsduet @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut @leaves-of-laurelin @welcometololaland (you’re all so early tonight!)

Have a snippet from my June 5 + 1, something a little cuter than the other parts I've shared of this fic so far:

They’re in June’s bedroom and it feels like old times. Alex is stealing the food off her plate despite having his own breakfast because he’d taken one look at her waffles and decided they looked better than his own bacon and eggs. She’d be more annoyed but after the lakehouse, he’d scared her; June has seen many versions of Alex, but never like that. Despondent, helpless, quiet. So, having him back to his incessantly annoying, noisy self after his brief trip to Kensington is a relief which, in turn, is doing wonders for her tolerance levels. She’s only pushed him off her bed once this morning. June knows that Alex is trying not to pout about the fact that she’s off to another rally today while he once again has to stay home. She still thinks their mom made the wrong decision, taking Alex off the campaign. Of the three of them, Alex is the one people flock to, the one with enough charisma to hold the attention of a crowd on his own. He’s the one who lives and breathes politics, the one who loves it. She gives him half of a waffle. “Nah,” he says, picking up a piece of bacon and dipping it into her maple syrup. “Doesn’t taste as good when you give it to me.” “You’re a little shit, you know that?” Alex just opens his mouth to show her his half-masticated food and laughs. June throws a blueberry at him.

Tagging @indestructibleheart @kiwiana-writes (something sweet from this fic for you after the Ouch) @maxbegone @orchidscript @liminalmemories21 @freneticfloetry @never-blooms @lightningboltreader @three-drink-amy @mikibwrites @chicgeekgirl89 @doublel27 @hippolotamus @rosedavid @firenati0n @fitzherbertssmolder @carlos-in-glasses @indomitable-love @clottedcreamfudge @cricketnationrise @sherryvalli @anincompletelist @cha-melodius @notspecialbabe and an open tag for anyone else who wants to play 💖

#wip wednesday #on an actual wednesday!#rmd writes: rwrb wip #who am i if i can't carry it all

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sznofthesticks · 5 days

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thanks for the tags @carlos-in-glasses @heartstringsduet @nancygillianmvp @terramous you’re all queued 🧡

He slowly stood up from the flimsy plastic chair and left the room. He took the five flights of stairs to avoid the crowds of people leaving the meeting, when in actuality there were only about six of them. He couldn't face them, even if they were strangers. He walked out to his car and slumped into the driver’s seat and let out a guttural sob.

Everywhere he went, he saw his dad. He saw him at the grocery store. He saw him at the dinner table when he visited his mother. He saw him on the street. He saw him at the farmer’s market. He even saw his blood in the entryway of their house, even though that had to be impossible right? They replaced the floorboards. He was losing it, he thought to himself as the burning tears ran down his cheeks.

He looked down at his hands, which were turning stark white from gripping the steering wheel with immense force, stopping at the reflection of light on his ring. TK. That’s why he’s doing this, and he’s all he wants right now. He should have let him come. He hated being alone right now.

He started the car and made the drive home that felt agonizingly long.

no pressure tagging: @im-overstimulated-and-im-sad @reyesstrand @literateowl @chicgeekgirl89 @alidravana

@lemonlyman-dotcom @kiwichaeng @strandnreyes @safeaswrites @zitasempri

@honeybee-taskforce @bonheur-cafe @welcometololaland @alrightbuckaroo @whatsintheboxmh

@herefortarlos @my-little-tilly @fallout-mars @carlos-tk @jeysbvck

@sugdenlovesdingle

@firstprince-history-huh @your-catfish-friend @vineofroses @mikibwrites @paperstorm

@lightningboltreader @ladytessa74 @sanjuwrites @thisbuildinghasfeelings and open tag :)

#wip wednesday #carlos reyes #911 lone star #my writing #cw grief #cw death #cw blood

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thisbuildinghasfeelings · 4 months

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It's been a tough year in a lot of ways, but one thing I've been able to consistently count on to bring me joy is the incredible writing in this fandom! I feel like 2023 has been almost a golden age of Tarlos fic. With both the sheer quantity AND quality of fic, it has been a wonderful time to be a Tarlos fic reader! In celebration of this golden age, I wanted to share a list of some of the fic that brought me the most joy in the past year.

Of course, this is not a comprehensive list...as much as I may want to, I can't possibly read everything this fandom has to offer. There's still a lot to get to on my to-read list. And even from the fic I did read, I'm sure I'm forgetting some amazing ones. There's just SO MUCH. But here I have listed (alphabetic by author) some of the fic that most resonated with me the past year, fic that I still think about and reread, and fic that has taken up full time residence in my brain!

There are A LOT...so I'll be putting the list under the cut.

all my blood for the sweetness of his laugh by @alrightbuckaroo

A truly beautiful little fic about Carlos' feelings about TK's laugh. A bit of angst and a lot of love.

anger has told me her real name is grief by alrightbuckaroo

An excellent 4x17/4x18 fic that deals a lot with Carlos' grief and the journey he goes through in those two episodes.

my beatin' heart belongs to you by bartsy

A fic about Carlos' anxiety after the death of his father, manifested in his fears for the safety of his husband. This fic is so beautiful and very in character. I would love it so much if the show would go even a tiny bit in the direction of exploring Carlos' anxiety!

It Beats for You by @basilsunrise

A 4x04 coda, porn with feelings and bottom Carlos...truly, what more could I ask for?? Very hot and SO MANY feelings!

she has almost killed me with love for that boy by @beautifulhigh

Another 4x04 coda (there can never be enough) that's also a study of the different types of love, all of which Carlos has in his life.

How quickly we change overnight by @birdclowns

A pre-canon fic about TK and his relationship with Alex. I particularly love this kind of thing where we have so little concrete information in canon. It's a perfect opportunity for fic, and I really love this one. Alex could easily be handled as some horrible villain, but the way he's handled here is far more realistic and I think it makes my heart break for TK even more.

Even if the World Ends Tomorrow by @bonheur-cafe

A post-apocalypse AU that's a little terrifying but ultimately very hopeful. This is one that I kept thinking about long after I read it.

can i be close to you? by @catanisspicy

A 5+1 fic about TK asking Carlos if he'd still love him if he was a worm. A true delight! This is another fic I still think about all the time.

slowly, then all at once by catanisspicy

A fic about TK and Carlos loving each other, which is one of my favorite things in the world.

The Center of the Maze by @carlos-in-glasses

7 times TK and Carlos thought they would never get married and one time they actually did. This fic covers so many of the most significant moments of their relationship and is so very beautifully written. I think my favorite part is (predictably) the section related to the soulmates scene.

When Soulmates Swim by carlos-in-glasses

A wonderful AU where TK and Carlos get to know each other while swimming together. It's everything: hot, sweet, beautiful, poignant, and sometimes incredibly hilarious.

Release the Hand to Relax the Animal by carlos-in-glasses

A fic that's all about touch and the great sex, past and present, that TK and Carlos have had. A true masterpiece.

We Have Suffered Enough by @chicgeekgirl89

A 4x16 coda. Oh, the soulmates scene! I'm automatically going to love anything even remotely soulmates scene-adjacent, and this one is particularly beautiful.

Shiner by chicgeekgirl89

A 4x15 coda dealing with Carlos finding out about TK's black eye, which is something I desperately wanted to see on screen. I love the way it goes here. It's incredibly sweet.

Cold Feet by @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut

A lovely little fic that has Carlos feeling some big feelings about his soon-to-be husband.

When I'm Like This by cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut

An early season 1 Tarlos fic with a lot of angst and feelings, which is always one of my favorite things. This one is ridiculously hot, yet also filled with so much emotion and feelings and gorgeous writing. Just thinking about it makes me want to reread!

to build a home by @freneticfloetry

A Carlos character study, from pre-series through season 4. If there was ever a character I wanted to study, it's Carlos Reyes. And this fic is beautifully done, expertly exploring the complexities of his character and the gaps canon has left to be filled.

The Sting by @goodways

Shortly after they're married, Carlos gets involved in an FBI sting operation that requires him to go on a date and flirt with another man, something that TK is not thrilled about. This fic is at times funny, emotional, hot and sweet.

First night by goodways

The first time TK and Carlos have sex and all the feelings and attempted avoidance of feelings that comes with it. So many feelings!!!

Take my hand, take my whole life, too by @heartstringsduet

HANDS. What more could I ask for? This fic is an absolutely gorgeous exploration of TK and Carlos' intimacy across their whole lives together. I'm ready to tear up just thinking about it!

But most of it was beautiful by heartstringsduet

An at-home Tarlos honeymoon fic. I call a lot of fic on this list beautiful, but sometimes there's no better word. This fic is beautiful.

broken glass by @irispurpurea

A beautiful, heartbreaking exploration of Carlos' grief. It's all fragmented and non-linear, which only adds to how moving and powerful it is.

a little bit more by krissyloowhoo

An installment of a series in which TK and Carlos adopt a baby girl. This one features Carlos in love with what a good dad TK is.

Stand your brand of love by @ladytessa74

A Tarlos honeymoon fic written prior to the end of the season. This was a go-to reread for me in the weeks leading up to the finale. Even now, when it's no longer technically canon compliant, the emotions hit just as hard.

How I linger to admire by ladytessa74

This fic is pretty much my dream season 5. It has everything: Carlos solving his father's murder, TK and Carlos getting held at gunpoint, and Lou II saving the day. Several items on my wish list for season 5 were directly inspired by reading this fic.

Do it all over again by ladytessa74

TK tries for a do over of the proposal because he thinks Carlos deserves better, which leads to a series of funny, adorable and touching moments. The writing is beautiful, and it even inspired a cross stitch! I have many favorite things about Tessa's writing, but one of my very favorite things is the way she writes the intimacy and affection and touch between TK and Carlos. This fic is filled with some of my favorite examples of that.

All Your Colors Make Me Feel Alive by @lemonlyman-dotcom

This wonderful fic uses the music of Beck to explore moments in TK and Carlos' relationship. Angst and fluff: the best combination.

I'm Not A Fortress, But I Will Try To Protect You by lemonlyman-dotcom

TK and Marjan have a conversation in the wake of the events of 2x04. One of my favorite parts of Lemon's writing is the incredible amount of backstory detail, most particularly the friendship between TK and Marjan. There are hints of this in canon, but here it's beautifully developed and I love it so much.

Call Me If You Get Lost by lemonlyman-dotcom

TK and Carlos go for a romantic weekend while also looking out for a friend. This fic is a delight and so much fun!

Love From the Other Side by @lightningboltreader

Exes to lovers and only one bed...what could possibly be better?? I particularly enjoy the conversation between TK and Carlos that leads to their reconciliation.

We were in screaming color by @liminalmemories21

I was looking forward to this season 4 fic since before the season even started airing! I can imagine it must have been particularly difficult to write, from the ridiculous season 4 timeline to all the plotholes and inconsistencies that the Iris storyline and Carlos' sudden two sisters created, but it was done beautifully. It made me think about so many season 4 details and moments in different ways and ultimately led to an enhanced appreciation of the season.

I need you so much closer by @marjansmarwani

A 4x04 coda. This one focuses on all the many people who love Carlos. I always love to read about Carlos being loved!

where the empty space is a saving grace by @maxbegone

Carlos talks with Gwyn in the time before he's revived by TK and the narcan in 4x04. Beautiful and poignant.

etched in gold by maxbegone

A lovely little wedding moment where TK and Carlos get some alone time during the reception.

By Your Side by @never-blooms

The Reyes kitchen through the years. If there's anything that deserves more exploration, it's the Reyes family and all their complexities. This fic does an incredible job of this and is so beautifully written.

The Calling by @orchidscript

This is a fascinating and beautiful fic about TK using his experience with addiction to help people in the course of his job as a paramedic. It's something I would love so much for them to explore on the show!

Under A Star Spell by orchidscript

In this AU, Carlos practices folk magic. The fic itself is absolutely magical. One of the things I love about it is how different it is from pretty much every other Tarlos fic I've ever read.

Lost and Found by @paperstorm

A 4x04 coda (if there's one thing about me, it's that I love a 4x04 coda). I loved this episode so much but there was so much more I wanted, particularly to see what happened in the aftermath at the hospital, which is why this fic is so appreciated.

Ritual by paperstorm

An installment of Andie's spectacular Missing Moments series. I could easily have put every installment on this list, but I chose the one for 2x11, which is my favorite of the season 2 fics. I'm always a sucker for Carlos working through his feelings about his relationship with his parents!

The Firehouse by paperstorm

An incredible AU with TK and Carlos as childhood friends who meet again years later when Carlos is undercover and TK is living a life of crime. The angst in this one is spectacular, and the payoff is beautiful and earned and extraordinarily satisfying.

peace by @redshirt2

Carlos post-breakup. This little fic is heartbreaking and perfectly captures Carlos' desolate state of mind as he's left alone.

dream this night away by @reyesstrand

A pre-season 4 honeymoon fic where TK and Carlos end up in a motel after their flight is cancelled. A little bit of angst and a lot of love and tenderness.

to which there is no reply by reyesstrand

An absolutely gorgeous honeymoon fic, this time canon-compliant, that features Carlos struggling with his grief and being loved by his husband.

balancing act by reyesstrand

TK and Carlos sharing food and falling in love. What could possibly be better? This fic is so beautiful and it spans the entirety of their relationship. An incredible achievement and a true gift to readers!

the strong will never fall by @rmd-writes

Another 4x04 coda (I truly can never get enough). This one is incredibly tender and emotional.

shine some light on my day by @rosedavid

A sweet, fluffy, gentle fic about TK and Carlos waking up and getting ready for the day together. Domestic fluff at its finest!

and salt the earth behind you by @safeashousespdf

TK brings Carlos to New York 6 months after Gwyn's death and TK grapples with the ways things have changed and the ways he has changed. This fic is incredibly powerful. I read it months ago but I still think about it.

you and me, forevermore by @strandnreyes

A gorgeous wedding coda that made me cry multiple times.

Come what may, I'll still stay by strandnreyes

Carlos struggles with his work-life balance when he becomes a detective. It gets worse and worse until he makes a pretty big mistake that shows him just how bad things have gotten. Lots of angst, but also lots of happiness by the end and so much love permeating through every bit of it. This was one of the THE fics of the year for me and it still lives rent free in my brain!

no rules in breakable heaven by strandnreyes

An AU where Carlos takes a job as a private chef in the Hamptons for TK's family. Jen wrote so many incredible AUs this year, but this one was my favorite. Just the right amount of angst with a proportionately happy ending! And the descriptions of the food Carlos was preparing always made me very hungry.

As long as it's with you by @tailoredshirt

TK and Carlos spend their first Valentine's Day as husbands in the ER, but it's nothing too serious. This fic is mostly soft and sweet. I still think about it all the time, especially the little gestures and affectionate touches between them. It's a lovely little fic that's guaranteed to make you smile.

tell me how by @theghostofashton

Carlos and his grief leading up to the wedding. Beautiful and heartbreaking. I loved this so much.

Back to You and Me by @three-drink-amy

A lovely 4x16 coda. In celebration of finding out that TK doesn't have to worry about Huntington's, TK and Carlos go back to the honky tonk where it all began!

The Weight of Grief by @wandering-night19

This is an absolutely riveting fic that has TK near-death in a coma (again). It's poignant and heartbreaking. One scene in particular in the final chapter makes me want to cry just thinking about it! Some chapters deal with Andrea and Gabriel backstory, which eventually links up to the ongoing story in the present. The whole thing is so well written and beautifully constructed.

living at the centre of a wound still fresh by @welcometololaland

A heartbreaking, beautiful masterpiece of a fic. Carlos struggles with his grief on their honeymoon, but TK is there to help him through. Just thinking about this one makes me want to cry...and also reread!

a long time ago (we used to be friends) by welcometololaland

A masterpiece of an AU, exes to lovers with private investigator Carlos and wrongly accused of murder TK. They work together to clear TK's name and come back together in a beautiful way.

#911 lone star #911 lone star fic #FIC REC

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