I'm sorry, but these are supposed to be professional writers, right?

BECAUSE WHAT THE FUCK-

Please don't think I'm stupid but do you think Carlos and TK signed a Pre nup? I'm just curious because Carlos 's first home was beautiful and had a lot of expensive stuff and I understand that he's a cop and probably doesn't make a lot but you can just tell that he saves and manages his money well enough

Oh an interesting question, anon!! I definitely don’t think you’re stupid!!!

Listen, these are the same guys who didn’t discuss kids until they were like a week and a half out from their wedding. The couple who one half thought it was a good idea to surprise the other with real estate (while he was still married to someone else 💀) and also who just never bothered to mention HE WAS ALREADY MARRIED when he accepted a marriage proposal. No, I don’t see these guys doing a lot of forward thinking, and I do not think they signed a prenup.

I also think that if anybody should be asking for a prenup it’s TK. First because Carlos kept a whole secret wife from him for three years, who’s to say he won’t suddenly pull out a few surprise kids that need child support in a couple years 😂 (I am KIDDING please do not come at me!!!). Secondly, because Carlos has so many nice, expensive things, I actually think he maybe doesn’t manage his money so well? Like, the Camaro alone was likely a very irresponsible purchase on his salary and given his dad said he could barely afford it.

It’s not his fault!!! Carlos has got a thing for the finer things and the finer men 😏

And finally, Gwyn was a corporate lawyer from the Upper East Side. She was loaded, TK must have inherited millions from her. He is easily much, much more well off than Carlos (unless the Reyes family ranch is doing really, really, really well…). I bet TK used his inheritance to pay off his debts, pay his half of the down payment on the loft and pay for a bulk of the wedding and still had a ton left to put in savings.

But most importantly I don’t think they needed a prenup because they are soulmates!!! SOUPMATES if you will. They’re never going to need a prenup because they’re going to be married forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever…

Thank you for the tag @sznofthesticks @paperstorm @im-overstimulated-and-im-sad @three-drink-amy @fallout-mars @alrightbuckaroo @orchidscript @thisbuildinghasfeelings @whatsintheboxmh @lemonlyman-dotcom @heartstringsduet 🥰

Chapter 13: The Risk of Love of Where All This Love Comes From will be up on Sunday, and it's a crucial moment for a grieving Carlos...

"I told him I couldn’t do it. He said we’d postpone. He wasn’t going anywhere. We had a moment where we just clung to each other. But then, suddenly, like out of nowhere, I got cold – I was freezing. I started shuddering. It’s like my body was dying. It’s like I was the one who had gone into the frozen lake. I was feeling TK’s hypothermia, and all that pain. TK grabbed me and bundled me up and was rubbing me all over to get me warm–”

“Hey!” O’Brien yells from the driver’s seat, “These are details I don’t need, Officer Reyes.”

“Let him talk,” Owen sighs, and turns to look at Caros properly, “Go on, Carlos.”

Carlos glumly shakes his head, hurt from the abrupt chastisement. Even though they’re in O’Brien’s car and O’Brien is operating the vehicle, Carlos had kind of forgotten he’s here. “TK is my best friend. He’s so amazing.”

O’Brien brakes gently, drawing up to a red light. “Well. I guess it does sound like you’ve got a good one.”

“The best,” Owen says.

“Best in the world,” Carlos cries, catching a tear on his tissue. “I don’t deserve him.”

Owen turns around, sits back in his seat and watches the road. “Let’s have a drink at mine before I run you home.”

Carlos goes quiet, stares out of the window. A scrubby grass strip divides the highway. Trucks with orange clearance lights pass, thick wheels four-feet tall. Number plates from Mississippi, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona. Tall billboards advertise attorneys in business suits, arms folded, grinning with white teeth – get cash for your car wreck, for your injury. Gabriel had suggested to Carlos a few times that he become a lawyer instead of a cop. He had the brain for it, the grades, the interest. Things would be so different if he’d taken that path. Gabriel still would have died, but he wouldn’t have met TK.

Buttercup meets them at the door when Owen opens up. He whines, ignores Owen and circles Carlos, as if trying to find the place where his love and concern for him begins and ends, but really it’s an eternal loop, because he is a dog. Carlos crouches and fusses Buttercup, who puts his front paws on Carlos’ thighs and tries to get into his lap, pushing him onto his ass on the floor – and Carlos finds himself taking the load of all fifty-two kilos of Bernese Mountain dog. Owen gives Buttercup a stroke behind the ears and then wanders off to the kitchen without saying anything, just lets man and dog have their moment. He selects for himself a glass bottle of sparkling water, and looks at the photos of TK stuck to the side of the fridge. Baby – child – teen – adult. The greatest love of Owen's life, and Carlos’ too.

Open tag and tags below

@liminalmemories21 @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut @strandnreyes @welcometololaland @rmd-writes @wandering-night19 @reyesstrand @herefortarlos @fitzherbertssmolder @my-little-tilly @ladytessa74 @reasonandfaithinharmony @redshirt2 @carlos-tk @louis-ii-reyes-strand @freneticfloetry @ambiguouspenny @goodways @bonheur-cafe @lightningboltreader @noxsoulmate @inkweedandlizards @jesuisici33 @theghostofashton @chicgeekgirl89 @sanjuwrites @never-blooms

get to know your fanfic writer

thanks for the tags @cha-melodius @orchidscript @liminalmemories21 @wandering-night19

When did you post your first ever fanfic?

February 2021, before that I hadn’t written fiction at all since high school which was … a Very Long Time Ago

First character(s) you wrote for:

David Rose/Patrick Brewer

Main character(s) you’re currently writing for:

Alex Claremont-Diaz, Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Carlos Reyes, TK Strand

With a side of David & Patrick if and when inspiration strikes

Character(s) you haven’t written about before but plan on writing about soon:

None lol. See my three otps above, I’m stretched pretty thin! Having said that, I do want to write some outsider pov for my RWRB lawyer au

Fandom(s) you’re currently writing for:

911 Lone Star, Red, White & Royal Blue (book only), Schitt’s Creek

Platonic pairing(s) you currently write for:

I don’t write fic for platonic pairings, but I do love including friendships for my faves within fics and love to write TK and Nancy, David and Stevie and Alex and Nora/June

Romantic pairing(s) you currently write for:

Tarlos, firstprince, David/Patrick

Your top 3 tags on AO3 (if you post your works on AO3):

explicit sexual content, smut, canon compliant

Your current platform where you post your works:

AO3

Snippet of the wip you’re currently working on:

Nothing, sorry! Still battling writer’s block and only writing the little prompt fill ficlets

tagging: @welcometololaland @kiwiana-writes @indomitable-love @three-drink-amy @stereopticons @carlos-in-glasses @goodways and anyone else who wants to play

WIP WEDNESDAY

I was tagged by the lovely @chaotictarlos thank you honey

“Hey, Officer Reyes.” Tommy says kindly when he stalks over.

“Captain Vega,” he greets. He pointedly nods to TK and Nancy as their only greeting. “He ready to speak to?”

“Lawyer.” The drunk asshole slurs, “not without a lawyer.”

He sees a flash of red but contains it enough to spit out, “it better be a hell of a lawyer because he was only nineteen.” He takes a step closer to the car and he only realises he does it when the driver flinches. He sees Tommy take a step along side him with a worried look on her face. He doesn’t get how they aren’t furious, bring dragged out here to work on some piece of scum like this.

Nineteen years old and your life is taken away by an over pompous banker in a Rolex who thinks he’s above the law. In Texas he just might be which makes Carlos angrier.

The driver has the audacity to snort and Carlos clenches his hand into a fist by his side. He isn’t usually so ill-tempered but he can’t control anything right now, his grasp on himself is like water running through his fingers.

There’s a hand on his arm. It’s fleeting but it’s there enough time to squeeze his forearm. Carlos can follow it along to TK who looks at him concerned. He releases his grip and Carlos shakes off the feeling of being hit by lightening.

“Sir, step out of the vehicle.”

“Lawyer.” He says again with a drunken jab of his finger in Carlos’ direction. He hears Tommy calling her team back, now medical care is over and he’s deemed fine they can retreat to the next job. He can’t get TK’s face out of mind, he looks almost like he cared. It’s petrol on the flames of Carlos’ anger.

“Sir, get out the vehicle or I’ll drag you out.”

No pressure tags for: @spikewritesstuff @mooshkat @cowlos-reyes @detective-giggles @wtfuckevenknows @paperstorm

Febuwhump 2024 Masterlist

It's that time of year, so get ready for some more fanfic!

Day 1 (Helpless) - Carlos Reyes & TK Strand, 9-1-1 Lone Star

Day 2 (Solitary Confinement) - Tim Bradford, The Rookie

Day 3 ("Bite down on this") - Mac Taylor & Don Flack, CSI: NY

Day 4/alt 2 ("I love you") - Charlie Nicoletti & Emma Hill, The Company You Keep

Day 5 (Rope Burns) - Charlie Hudson, Hudson & Rex

Day 6 ("You Lied to Me") - Sidney Grant & Keith/Lucas, Alert: Missing Persons Unit

Day 7 (Suffering in Silence) - Will Trent, Will Trent

Day 8 ("Why won't it stop?") - Hailey Upton, Chicago PD

Day 9 (Bees) - Josh Harris, La Brea

Day 10 (Killing in self-defence) - Mickey Haller, The Lincoln Lawyer

Day 11 (Time Loop) - Finola Jones, Debris

Day 12 (Semi-conscious) - Jane Tennant, NCIS: Hawai'i

Day 13 ("You weren't supposed to get hurt") - Neal Caffrey & Peter Burke, White Collar

Day 14 (Blood-stained tiles) - Evan "Buck" Buckley & Eddie Diaz, 9-1-1

Day 15 ("Who did this to you?") - Violet Mikami & Evan Hawkins, Chicago Fire

Day 16 (Came back wrong) - Angus MacGyver, MacGyver

Day 17 (Hostage situation) - Crockett Marcel, Chicago Med

Day 18 (Too weak to move) - Laura Stensen, The Rookie: Feds

Day 19 ("Please don't") - The Black Brothers, Deception

Day 20 (Truth serum) - G Callen, NCIS: LA

Day 21 (Unresponsive) - Steve McGarrett, Hawaii 5-0

Day 22 ("You weren't meant to be there") - Temperance Brennan & Booth Seeley, Bones

Day 23 (Presumed Dead) - Maggie Bell, FBI

Day 24 ("I'm doing this because I care about you") - Mark Trent & Gabi Mosely, Found

Day 25 (Waterboarding) - Peter Sutherland, The Night Agent

Day 26 ("Help them") - Scott Forrester, FBI: International

Day 27 (Left for Dead) - Olivia Benson, Law & Order: SVU

Day 28 ("No... not like this") - America Singer, The Selection

Day 29 (Not allowed to die) - Remy Scott, FBI: Most Wanted

43 & 50! Good luck for work, I can't believe you're an actual lawyer. Congrats, you're really talented all around!

I am an actual lawyer and i have to report that I'm not even the only one kicking around these fandoms 👀 whether or not I'm actually good at my job is another question, maybe let's not ask my employer hehe.

43. Guilty pleasure tropes

slow burn even though it kills me, friends to lovers, rivals to lovers, ROOMMATES AU!!!! Roommates will always have my heart.

50. Teaser

I've posted so much of tennis fic recently but have this from chapter 2 (unbeta-d don't hate me).

Carlos bites his bottom lip and nods slowly. “Just so just so we’re clear,” he says, tapping his racquet on the net again, “you’re saying ‘it’s not you, it’s me’?”

TK cocks his head in response, his serious expression completely wrecked by the little smile that flickers at the edges of his mouth. “You’re really busting my balls right now?” 

“Yeah,” Carlos nods, keeping his face carefully neutral, “'spose I am.”

TK raises his eyebrows and turns to walk back towards the baseline, but before he does, Carlos catches the glimmer of a genuine smile. “You want to practice your volleys again, Reyes?” TK calls, swinging his racquet by his side as he makes his way back to the ball trolley. “I wouldn’t mind aiming for your face.”

Carlos snorts, and when TK turns around, ball in hand and a grin on his features, Carlos has a feeling that they’re going to be just fine.

On the 10th of February 1960, Lydia Echevarria and Luis Vigoreaux got married and started their life in the limelight together. They had two daughters, Vanessa and Glendaly Vigoreaux, growing their blended family from their previous marriages. Together, Luis and Lydia became became a household name in Puerto Rico, hosting shows like Pa'rriba Papi Pa'rriba. They have been referred to as the Lucy and Desi of Puerto Rico.

In 1970, Luis developed a game show, 'Sube Nene, Sube,' which became one of the most watched shows on Puerto Rican television ever. As they developed more shows, they started their own production studio, Estudio EVC. But the vibe inside their home was far from happy.

By 1983, it was common knowledge that Luis had moved on from Lydia. He had a passionate affair with the model Nydia Castillo. Their personal issues started to bring tension into their business, and their production company went bankrupt. Luis tried to reconcile with Lydia, but his heart was with Nydia. They officially separated in 1981, but Luis pressed for a divorce from Lydia. At first Lydia refused, but Luis wouldn't give up.

After a drawn-out process, on the 17th of January 1983, Luis and his attorney met with Lydia and her attorney to finalize the divorce. But Luis never returned home.

When Luis didn't show up for work the next morning, his colleagues were alarmed. He had never missed a live broadcast before. Before long, the news broke that Luis' burnt-out Mercedes was discovered the night before in Cupey Bajo. His charred body was in the trunk - a black cinder with no recognizable features, other than teeth, some bones and a Rolex on his wrist. His skull was fractured, and he had numerous wounds all over his body caused by a sharp instrument. It pierced his heart, left kidney and lungs.

Thousands of people attended his funeral, and Lydia appeared as a grieving widow. After the funeral, Lydia began working harder than ever, working in two soap operas and reviving her love for theater. Police were skeptical about Lydia. At the end of January, they questioned her for two hours. During the interview, she admitted she had been aware of Luis's affair and confirmed they were about to be divorced, but claimed that she loved him and that, even after all the pain he had caused her, they were the best of friends. They had no evidence against her, though, so they released her.

Then, almost 19 months after Luis was killed, police arrested four men in connection with the murder. A man named Edgardo Vazquez Reyes came forward and claimed that he received $50,000 from Lydia to kill Luis, and that he then paid $6000 each to Pablo Guadalupe Aquino and his two sons, Jorge and Ruben, to do the deed. The Guadalupe family was well-known to police. Pablo and his sons had been charged with the murder of a prominent lawyer who had disappeared. The youngest Guadalupe brother, Juan Carlos, also confessed to another murder. Lydia was then formally charged with murder in 1984. Vazques Reyes, the Guadalupe family, and Lydia were exonerated, though, when it came out that prosecution witnesses had lied in their accounts. However, after a change in government, the Department of Justice re-opened the case.

There had been a rumor that Lydia pointed a gun at Luis and said that she'd rather see him dead than married to Nydia. Nydia confirmed this story in an interview with police.

By the time her sister Vanessa arrived, Paul had packed all of Glendaly's belongings away. If one didn't know she had been married to him, you wouldn't have known it by walking into their home - there was no sign of her.

Lydia said she spoke to her daughter on the phone the night before she died, and there was no indication that she was depressed. On the contrary, Lydia felt Glendaly sounded happy and upbeat. But Arizona police believed Glendaly ended her own life, and there has been no further investigation.

PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT

Graciano Lopez Jaena- Also known by his pen name: Diego Luna. He wrote Fray Butod when he was only 18 years old and died from tubercolosis on January 20, 1896.

Marcelo H. Del Pilar- Father of Philippine masonry. He is known by his pen name Pioing Dilat and many more names. He made Dasalan at Tocsohan, kaiingat kayo and many more.

AMERICAN REGIME PERIOD

Aurelio Tolentino- He was a Filipino poet, journalist. His works that was implied in the 20th century depicted his desire to see the independence of the Fioipino's from its colonizers

Severino Reyes- Born in Febuary 11, 1861 and died on Seotember 15, 1942. He was a Filipino writer. He was best known by his pen name also known as Lola Basyang

JAPANESE PERIOD

Macario Pineda- Born April 10, 1912 in Malolos. Died August 2 1950. He was a Filipino short story writer, novelist and columnist.

Gloria Guzman- She was a poet and a fictionist. Her works were published in leading magazines and journals.

PHILIPPINES LITERATURE IN ENGLISH PERIOD

Jose Garcia Villa- He was a national artist at the Philippines for literature. His works in poetries greatly impacted the poetic world especially in Asian American writers.

Carlos P. Romulo- He was a Philippine General, diplomat and journalist.

PERIOD OF ACTIVISM

Ponciano Pineda- He is a Filipino writer, teacher, lawyer. He is also known as the Father of the Commission of Filipino Language.

Pelagio P. Cruz- Born June 16, 1912 and died October 21, 1986. He was the director of national Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

Source: AdobeStock/ Barna Tanko Get your everyday, bite-sized absorb of cryptoasset and blockchain-related news-- examining the stories flying under the radar these days's crypto news. __________ Legal news Co-founder of the troubled crypto job Terraform Labs, Do Kwon, has actually apparently employed a South Korean law practice, in anticipation of prospective charges versus him. According to Naver News, no charges have actually yet been submitted versus Kwon, however he still sent a letter of visit to a lawyer in the Seoul Southern District Prosecutor's Office, which is presently checking out the Terra-LUNA mess. During Celsius( CEL)'s 2nd day hearing, which happened this Tuesday, judge Martin Glenn, primary judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, authorized the insolvent crypto loan provider's strategy to offer mined bitcoin (BTC) to cover functional costs. Tax news The Colombian federal government is taking a look at producing a digital currency, regional media are reporting. According to a Semana report, the nation's Head of the Colombian Tax and Customs National Authority, Luis Carlos Reyes, argues that the brand-new president will look for to present a digital currency to take on tax evasion that, at the minute, equates to around 8% of the nation's GDP. NFT news Non-fungible token ( NFT) domains company, Unstoppable Domains, revealed the launch of a mobile app, as an easy method for users to handle their NFT domains and Web3 digital identity, stated a news release shown Cryptonews.com Through the app, the business states, users will have the ability to purchase, mint, and handle NFT domains, construct profile cards, and log into more than 180 incorporated apps, metaverses, and video games The emoji brand name and Web3 platform RECUR revealed a collaboration today, the outcome of which must be a big NFT collection of the world's most popular emojis. From September 22 onward, clients will have the ability to select amongst 2,222 PFPs. Exchange news Crypto.com revealed today it has actually gotten regulative approval from the UK Financial Conduct Authority(FCA) as a cryptoasset organization. This registration will make it possible for the crypto exchange to use a suite of services and products to consumers in the UK, certified with regional guidelines. BitGet revealed today that its collaboration with Juventus football club will continue into the 2022-2023 season. The business will stay its Official Sleeve Partner, gaining from the substantial presence that includes Juventus' big worldwide audience. Payments news B2B crypto payments start-up Request Finance presented a brand-new function called Salaries, to assist Web3 groups automate their crypto payroll. Per the statement, to date, the app has actually currently processed over USD 220 m in billings, incomes, rewards, and benefits in crypto, for more than 2,000 business. Payments platform Paysafe revealed that it is signed up as a Virtual Asset Services Provider (VASP) with Italy's Organismo Agenti e Mediatori(Agents and Brokers Body). The registration is compulsory in the nation, for all business providing crypto trading, custody, or other comparable services. Investment news Institutional-grade digital property custodians GK8 are now incorporated with Polygon ( MATIC), the business verified through a news release previously today. The news indicates GK8 consumers must get more versatility required to handle a varied portfolio, without extra research study and advancement, or combinations, they included. Economics news The inflation rate in the UK hit 10.1% in the 12 months to July, up from 9.4% in June, the nation's Office for National Statistics(ONS) stated, per BBC. Skyrocketing food expenses have actually pressed inflation into double digits for the very first time because 1981, with costs continuing to increase at their fastest rate for more than 40 years, it stated. Read

The dream team

“Law and economics are skills that should come in handy as BBM grapples with four major crises gripping the Philippines today: food crisis, energy crisis, jobs crisis, and an education crisis” Doubtless, any head of government will be exuberantly proud of the Cabinet team of incoming President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr. (BBM). The 21 nominees for Cabinet members so far combine the wisdom of their age, the experience of decades in public and corporate life, and the technocracy and expertise of having studied in the best schools in the Philippines and abroad. Law graduates outnumber the economists in the Cabinet by a ratio of two to one. The preponderance of lawyers and economists in the Cabinet indicates how BBM sees the two major challenges of his presidency – enforcement of laws and reviving an economy battered by all kinds of crises. The law graduates are: Executive Secretary Victor D. Rodriguez, 48; Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, 98; Labor Secretary Benjamin Laguesma, 71; Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, 61 (the Jesus was because he was born on a Good Friday in 1961); Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, 68; Interior and Local Government Secretary Ben Hur Abalos, 60; Education Secretary Sara Duterte Carpio, 43; Information and Technology Secretary Ivan John Enrile Uy, 58; and Press Secretary Trixie Cruz Angeles, 57. The average age of the Cabinet lawyers is 63, largely because three, Rodriguez, Carpio, Uy, and Angeles are all below 60. The economists are led by Incoming Secretary of Finance Benjamin E. Diokno, 74; Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, 65; Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, 45; Bangko Sentral Governor Felipe Medalla, 72, and Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr., 62. The average age of the economists is 64, because Amenah is young. Without her, the senior economists average 70 in age. One may therefore quip that when BBM, 64, holds a Cabinet meeting, it will appear like it’s Senior Citizens or Grandparents Day. In his time, from Dec, 30, 1965 to Feb. 25, 1986, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos had Cabinet members whose average age was less than 40. Marcos Sr. had a deep bench. The second Cabinet members were equally qualified, if not more so, than the first tier. That is how powerful his official family was, in terms of dynamism, expertise, and capacity for disruption. Half of BBM’s Cabinet studied at the University of the Philippines – Diokno (BAPA 1968, MPA 1970 and MA Economics 1974); Remulla (AB PolSc 1983, LLB 1987); Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual (BSChem 1969, MBA 1972); Pangandaman (DipDEco 1998, MDEco 1998); Uy (LLB 1988); Balisacan (MS-AgrclEco Los Baños, 1982); Angeles-Cruz (AB-Linguistics 1982, Law 1997); National Security Adviser Clarita Reyes-Carlos (BS Foreign Service 1966, MA PolSci 1976 PhD 1982); and Medalla (MA 1976). Enrile was bachelor laws, cum laude, 1953. Meanwhile, Rodriguez has a Law degree 2002 and Legal Management degree 1995, both from the University of Santo Tomas. Abalos is Ateneo Law 1987. Additionally, Diokno has a Master of Arts in Political Economy (1976) from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and a PhD in Economics (1981) from Syracuse University, New York. Balisacan has a PhD Economics (1985) from the University of Hawaii. He has a BS in Agriculture (1979), magna cum laude, from the Mariano Marcos State University in BBM’s home province. Medalla has a PhD in Economics from Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois. Lagdameo has a Bachelor of Business Administration (1989) from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Master in Economics, 1998, from the University of Asia and the Pacific. Enrile has an Associate in Arts degree, cum laude, from Ateneo de Manila, 1949. He also finished his law course at UP, cum laude, and notched 90.7 percent in the 1953 bar exams, nearly making it to the top 10. He was also a scholar at Harvard Law School with a Master of Laws. Other Cabinet members also have their special skills – Presidential Management Staff Chief Zenaida Angping is a first-rate experienced foreign service officer (FSO), having served since the days of Ambassador Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez, father of the incoming House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. Unknown to many Kokoy was a topnotch diplomat. He was responsible for paving the way for diplomatic relations with China in 1975 and with the Soviet Union in 1976, and in seeking the Tripoli Agreement with Libya in 1976. Manuel Bonoan, 76, is a structural engineer and an old-timer at the Department of Public Works and Highways, where he is again at the helm. Clarita Carlos, of course, is a political scientist of long standing. Retired Gen. Jose Faustino, the incoming Defense secretary, and retired Gen. Ricardo de Leon, the chief of National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, are the military types. Law and economics are skills that should come in handy as BBM grapples with four major crises gripping the Philippines today: food crisis, energy crisis, jobs crisis, and an education crisis. Filipino teenagers have the lowest scores in the world in international tests for reading comprehension, science and math. In other words, our young, whom Rizal called the Hope of the Fatherland, are incompetent and stupid, not having the skills of their generation in other countries to live a modicum of the productive and prosperous life. The three crises –food, energy, and education may explain why today, 30 million Filipinos are jobless and why a quarter of families in the country are victims of mindless poverty. Poverty gnaws at the very fabric of society, which in turn could explain why the Philippines has the world’s longest-running communist insurgency (53 years old), and the world’s longest running Muslim separatist insurgency (50 years old). The issues of security as well as peace and order thus rear their ugly head. Which may explain the need for so many lawyers in Marcos Jr.’s official family. The shortages and high cost of food explain rampant malnutrition which in turn may explain why the average Filipino teenager is stupid by world standards. High energy cost and the insurgencies explain why the Philippines has been considered the last choice of foreign investors during waves of foreign investments in three decades, into Southeast Asia, the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing emerging economy region. With the gravitas of age, wisdom, experience and purposeful action, Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet hopefully can grapple with and somehow solve the problems debilitating the people and the country. There is no other option. [email protected] Source: Manila Standard Read the full article

Thank you for the tags @thisbuildinghasfeelings @carlos-in-glasses @whatsintheboxmh & @heartstringsduet 💕 DO YOU GUYS LIKE MY BANNER? 🎄

Okay, Lemon is getting …a little zesty this week!! 🍋 Tell me what you think.

Back at the loft Carlos crowds TK up against the wall inside the elevator, kissing him passionately while TK’s fingers curl in the gaps between the buttons of his shirt. He deepens the kiss by licking into TK’s mouth, savoring the taste while their tongues caress each other, lips moving together in a symphony of desire as Carlos runs his hands down TK’s sides, finding purchase on his perfect ass.

“Mmm baby, what was that for?” TK asks when the elevator dings and Carlos backs up.

“You taste good.”

“I taste like flan,” TK jokes as Carlos pulls him out of the elevator and down the hall.

“I didn’t get any flan because you ate it all,” he says, voice laced with feigned admonishment, while he unlocks the door and ushers TK through it.

“Not true!”

“Uh huh.”

“I want a lawyer, this is an unfair accusation!” TK cries, silver eyes dancing with mirth under the soft light of the living room’s floor lamps. He’s got a dopey lovesick smile on his face and he walks backwards towards the bedroom, pulling Carlos by the hand. Carlos follows easily, dipping his face into the crook of TK’s neck when he gets close enough.

Once they’re up against the bed he pulls his lips away from TK’s neck so he can cup his head in his hands and say, “Thank you for being so sweet with my family.”

He pulls TK’s shirt off over his head and makes quick work of his pants and underwear while TK replies softly, “You don’t have to thank me for that, baby. You know I love your family.”

“They love you too,” he pushes TK down on the bed and climbs over him, straddling his legs. “You’re a bonafide Reyes now.”

TK hums and begins unbuttoning Carlos’s shirt, “I think that was established when they threw that blow out party for my birthday a couple weeks ago.”

“Before that,” he says, complying when TK pushes him back so he can get his pants off.

Once he’s fully naked he crowds back over TK, who’s gone completely soft at Carlos’s words, and begins to kiss his neck again. “You’ve been my family for a long time now, baby. They all saw how special you are the first day I brought you around.”

“Carlos,” he breathes his name softly. It falls from his lips devoutly, like a prayer. TK places both of his hands on either side of Carlos’s head and pulls him up so their faces are inches apart. “Baby. I love you.”

*queue everyone running to read TK Strand’s Sweet 16 🎂

Tagging @strandnreyes @alrightbuckaroo @bonheur-cafe @fitzherbertssmolder @chicgeekgirl89 @tarlosmalec @ladytessa74 @louis-ii-reyes-strand @herefortarlos @tellmegoodbye @carlos-tk @birdclowns @freneticfloetry @apothecarose @basilsunrise @rmd-writes @thebumblecee @welcometololaland @guardian-angle22 @reasonandfaithinharmony @reyesstrand @your-catfish-friend @im-overstimulated-and-im-sad @iboatedhere @liminalmemories21 @lightningboltreader @never-blooms @theghostofashton @paperstorm and OPEN TAG 🏷️

WOW!!!

Take a look at this article!!! Attorney Carlos Silva of Miami has already recovered almost $1 Billion for the survivors and families of people who died in last year's collapse of a beachfront condo building near Miami!!!

My lawyer in the #FightBack battles against lawfare is Ibrahim Reyes and Ibrahim is Carlos Silva’s law partner.

I wrote Carlos tonight and asked for a donation to #FightBack to help in the fight against lawfare. I figured Carlos might have a dime or two to spare for a good Patriot cause!!!

REAL Patriots support REAL Patriots.

Candidly, the resources of #FightBack are running low and the foundation could use some financial assistance if the battle is to be successfully waged against the unlimited “dark money” of The 65 Project!!!

$1 Billion!!! Congratulations Carlos and Ibrahim!!!

I will keep you posted on the donations to #FightBack as the foundation always seeks to be transparent.

Again, thank you for your donations. If you cannot donate, just pray for me and #FightBack. Prayers are more important than donations, but in some situations, donations do help.

God bless each of you.

Lin 🙏❤️🇺🇸

Seven sentence Sunday

Thanks for the tags @iboatedhere and @strandnreyes !

Here’s a little something that I’m working on with @welcometololaland

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Subject: FMCW Partners event

Dear TK

It was great to connect with you on Friday night, I’d love to catch up soon to discuss that potential referral you mentioned.

Do you have time this week to meet for a coffee?

Kind regards

Carlos Reyes

Accountant

Forensics | FMCW Partners

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Subject: RE: FMCW Partners event

Dear Carlos

Sure, we can connect some time…

I owe you a coffee anyway, on me because my friend spilled wine on your jacket and I’m a nepo baby.

Does Wednesday at 11 work?

Warm regards

TK Strand

Associate

Morgan Pearson Lawyers

–

Carlos reads TK’s email at least ten times. He thinks TK might be flirting, or maybe he’s just making fun of Carlos’ use of the word ‘connect’, he really can’t tell. The tone of TK’s email is confusing. Carlos is at least 87% sure they were flirting the other night, but he’d been careful to keep his own e-mail professional, just in case he’d completely misread the situation.

Tagging: @liminalmemories21 @cinnaluminum @three-drink-amy @reyescarlos @mostlyinthemorning @blackandwhiteandrose @stereopticons @likerealpeopledo-on-ao3 and anyone else who wants to share!

I've been keeping this draft for a few months now, and to be honest I have absolutely no idea if I'll finish it at all. But posting a little part of it for WIP Wednesday gives me the impression that the idea wasn't tottaly thrown away.

Carlos is a lawyer, TK is a florist, and they fall in love ― among love notes, around red dahlias, and across the street, but not because of signatures, even less the pouring rain, and let alone some insecurities.

Of all the things Carlos could've expected that morning he walked through the office's door, flowers weren't on the list. Problems, probably another case, but not red and beautiful flowers coloring his well-organized desk on already busy Monday morning in the middle of May.

If there had been anyone with him as he stepped on his office, they'd be aware of how surprised he was by seeing such pretty colors. He stopped in his tracks when he processed the image in front of him before frowning in genuine curiosity and walking towards the desk, carefully placing his wallet over the clear-wood furniture and stretching his fingers to touch one of the delicate flowers. The petals were soft against his fingertips, and he involuntarily smiled at the feeling until he noticed a folded piece of paper resting against the shiny material wrapping the bouquet.

That weird feeling from when he first saw the flowers hit Carlos once again when his brain processed that he had nobody to get flowers from, especially on a random day on the calendar. He backed up, his tiny smile fading as his long fingers reached for what most likely was a card and his face frowning to the unknown calligraphy.

Your smile is a beautiful way to start my day.

And, oh, damn.

Out of all the things Carlos could prepare himself to read inside of the card ― maybe his mother missing him, or his aunt inviting him over to have dinner ― that was not something he was expecting to read ― ever.

Red flowers wrapped in a beautiful ribbon and a clearly flirty card?

That was definitely a joke.

It's an AU I've been writing while listening to Hearts Don't Break Around Here by Ed Sheeran but I don't know if it's nearly good enough to be posted. But I think I like it anyway. :)

How much pain I can take

Fandom: 911 Lone Star

Characters: Carlos Reyes, TK Strand, Owen Strand, the 126 family, Andrea Reyes, Gabriel Reyes

Pairing: Carlos Reyes/TK Strand

Summary: After receiving the news of his mother's death, TK feels the ground disappearing from under his feet, but the consequences are greater than he imagined.

Notes: This story begain as a 3x07 Coda, and I know probaby the path I'm taking is not the same that the show is taking, but I really loved to explore the idea of TK and Carlos becoming suddenly parents

Chapter 02

"Hello, tiger."

"Hi, baby."

"How are you? Shit...what a stupid question. I can imagine how you are, but..."

"It's okay. Actually, it's like I'm completely anesthetized. I don't feel anything, I don't... I don't know how to feel."

"Yeah, that's normal... Wow, again I'm pretending I know how you feel right now."

TK burst out laughing and imagined how bad Carlos was having it on the other end of the phone.

"I love you so much, Carlos. I shouldn't have told you to stay in Austin." The laughter immediately turned into a choked cry. "I miss you, I need you by my side."

"I am by your side. On the other end of the phone, but I'm with you, for whatever you need. If you want me to hang up, I'll hang up. If you want us to talk all day, I'm here for you."

"I know, I know, baby. It's just that I want to cry, but I don't know how, and it's hard to move my legs, to think, to breathe. I don't know what to do."

"You're in shock, my love, it's normal. Everything you're feeling is completely normal."

"I just want it to pass."

"It will pass. When you're ready, it will happen."

"Promise me."

"I promise you, sweetheart, I promise you. Now, take as much time as you need, I'm going to be here, the team is going to be here. Your family... Shit, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that... I meant..."

"I miss you all; at home, with you, this would be so much easier... It wouldn't be, but... Tell me I can cry, tell me I can say goodbye to my mother, Carlos, tell me that when I cry because she won't be at our wedding, because she won't see us say I do and she won't meet her grandchildren... Tell me it's all normal."

"It's all normal. What you feel and what you don't."

"Can you tell me every day?"

"Every day, as long as you need to hear it."

"I have to go, my mother's and Enzo’s lawyer are here for the will." Carlos heard him groan and squeezed the phone hard, feeling guilty for not being there with his boyfriend. "I'll call you back as soon as we're done. I hope I can catch a plane back tomorrow... My father wants us to stop by her house...but I can't...I can't go there, not now."

"Don't worry about anything, love. I've taken the day off to be available at all times."

"Have I told you yet that I love you?"

"Yes, but it always sounds special."

"I love you, Carlos."

"And I love you, TK."

TK thought that being at the funeral of his mother and the man who had raised him as a second father would be the worst moment of his life. Receiving condolences from people he didn't know, people who claimed to be his mother's friends, co-workers, even family he had never seen before.

People from the temple came up, all strangers to TK. All with kind words about his mother, words of encouragement, affection and support. Words coming from people he would never see again.

And TK thought that putting his mother and Enzo in the ground would be the worst thing. TK thought that the pain he felt inside and dared not release would be the worst feeling imaginable.

Of course, when you haven't been through something like that, you don't know how you're going to react, you don't know what to expect or when to expect it, and when the worst comes, when the pain decides to explode inside you, the world comes crashing down on you.

When that happened, TK had buried his mother and Enzo and thought, foolishly on his part, that the worst was really over. Only the worst hadn't come yet, because neither Owen nor he was prepared for what was coming next.

Owen knew Sarah Lennon, the lawyer who delivered Gwyneth's will to them; she was a friend of his ex-wife's from college and had been close to them throughout the funeral.

They had set up a room in the law office where Gwyneth had worked to hold the meeting because TK didn't have the strength to go to his mother's house.

As soon as she walked in, Sarah hugged TK and gave him a big kiss on the cheek.

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