@rmd-writes appreciation post for one of the most complex and nuanced arcs we have developed in our shared Google doc:

I had to consult with @welcometololaland (that’s a tag for you, love) to find an appropriate snippet from call me to share with you today - this will likely be the last snippet either of us can share from this fic because we’re getting to the pointy end and it’s all spoilers from here on out!

Have some chaos!owen aka our favourite brand of Owen:

“Carlos, you’d know about this,” Owen says. TK would like the floor to open up and swallow him whole, no matter how interested he might be in the fact that his dad is implying that Carlos is either on Grindr or sexting. Both? The fact that his dad is even tangentially aware of this frightens him though.

Carlos drops his spoon. “Uh…”

“You know, because you do those talks in schools don’t you? To teach the kids about being safe online and not sending sexty texts.”

“Dad!”

“Maybe I should go,” Carlos says, pushing back his chair. “This seems like, um, a family matter.” He looks frantically around the rest of the table, where the rest of the crew are eating as if this happens all the time. To TK’s eternal regret and humiliation, it does.

“No, Carlos. Stay, finish your dinner,” Owen insists.

“I’m so sorry,” TK says to Carlos.

He shakes his head and looks at his watch. “It’s fine, really. I can’t stay for much longer anyway.”

“Please at least finish your dinner, Carlos. Don’t let my dad scare you away. He’s done talking about this now, aren’t you, Dad.” TK doesn’t phrase it as a question.

Owen raises both hands. “Yep. Done talking about that. For now. You and I are continuing this conversation later, though son.”

“We aren’t, actually.”

“You know, you look like your mother when you look at me like that.” TK rolls his eyes but sees that Carlos has at least pulled his chair back in and looks like he’s about to start eating again.

Tags under the cut!

thank you to @kiwiana-writes @three-drink-amy @strandnreyes @heartstringsduet @firenati0n @vineofroses @orchidscript @lemonlyman-dotcom @wordsofhoneydew @read-and-write- @itsmaybitheway @alrightbuckaroo @cha-melodius @hippolotamus for the tags today

And tagging @liminalmemories21 @lightningboltreader @mikibwrites @porcelainmortal @carlos-in-glasses @goodways @reyesstrand @chicgeekgirl89 @indestructibleheart @ships-to-sail @stereopticons @fitzherbertssmolder @happiness-of-the-pursuit @anincompletelist and OPEN TAG

(I’ve got no idea who’s already done this, so sorry if you’ve already posted today! 💖)

do you like reading about tarlos having an awkward encounter in an adult store? if so, this snippet is for you!

this is from the fic affectionately known as 'Call Me' that i am successfully co-parenting with @rmd-writes (tag, you're it!)

There’s a head of brown hair that’s clearly visible from over a row of very…interesting paraphernalia. Even before the man turns around, Carlos knows who it is. It’s a vibe, an aura, an unfortunate consequence of being extremely attracted to someone who is in precisely the wrong place at precisely the wrong time. Carlos was wrong. Seeing TK Strand in a sex shop might be worse than seeing his parents. “Savannah,” he says, coughing awkwardly. “I've, um, I’ve actually got to go somewhere. Emergency. Don’t worry about the—” “Are you sure?” she asks, far too loudly. “I can show you the options real quick—” “Officer Reyes?” Fuck. Carlos is completely fucked. He feels rooted to the spot, unable to take a breath as his eyes dart over the shelf of unnervingly accurate, plastic, human body parts. Clear green eyes blink back at him, equally as shocked. “Strand,” he replies, his voice sounding far less shaky than it feels. “Hi.” “I’ll leave you to it,” Savannah says, looking between them furtively before scurrying off between the aisles. Carlos kind of wants to throw a dildo at her. “What are you— I probably shouldn’t ask that,” TK stammers, looking adorable with his wide eyes and his unguarded expression. When Carlos’ eyes drop to TK’s hands, he sees he’s holding an ungodly amount of lube and a small silver plug.  Huh. Interesting.

if you haven't played wip weds and you want to, you SHOULD! I tag you!

thanks for the tags @heartstringsduet and @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut!

i'll tag some tarlos people who might have a laugh and then provide me with their own snippets (greedy for them): @bonheur-cafe @decafdino @vineofroses @liminalmemories21 @im-overstimulated-and-im-sad @reyesstrand @kiwichaeng @goodways @carlos-in-glasses @carlos-tk @theghostofashton @safeaswrites @kiloskywalker @thebumblecee @nancygillianmvp @sznofthesticks @sunshinestrand @thisbuildinghasfeelings @three-drink-amy @strandnreyes @lightningboltreader @orchidscript @lemonlyman-dotcom @never-blooms @alrightbuckaroo @freneticfloetry @fitzherbertssmolder @whatsintheboxmh

and @kiwiana-writes because they're the best and tag me every week 💜

Are you ready to get (un)professional?

NOW COMPLETE

(UN)PROFESSIONAL SERVICES | CHAPTER 7/7 | TARLOS | E

Please see enclosed the seventh and final chapter of the unprofessional professional services Tarlos AU by @rmd-writes and I.

Thank you so much to @celeritas2997 for beta reading and for supervising our spiralling! 1000000 fruit baskets for you.

Chapter 1 - Identify the Lead

Chapter 2 - Connect with the Lead

Chapter 3 - Understand the Lead

Chapter 4 - Close the Deal (Part 1)

Chapter 5 - Close the Deal (Part 2)

Chapter 6 - Always have a Contingency Plan

Chapter 7 - Epilogue

As it turns out, the gods of the subway system are smiling down on TK today because their usual train is running just late enough for them to squeeze on at the last minute. He tries not to be too smug about it as he watches Carlos lean against the door of the packed carriage as it speeds through the tunnels, pretending to read the news on his phone.  He’s only made aware of the pretending part when Carlos looks up at him after a few minutes and whispers, “So, when can I return the favour?” Cottoning on to the innuendo, TK tries not to look too pleased and begs his body to behave – getting a hard on around so many people would be kind of problematic. “Tomorrow night,” he replies. “I’ll be expecting something good because that floor wasn’t easy on my knees.” Carlos fixes TK with a challenging look. “I’ll think about it,” he says softly. “I have time tonight, while I’m home alone with nothing else to do.” “I’m ditching my mom,” TK murmurs, trying to keep his tone conversational. “I just remembered I have plans.” “Mhm?” Carlos hums, evidently trying to retain the veneer of being politely engaged. “With your di—” “TK.” TK snorts. “Don’t start something you can’t finish, baby.”

Continue on Ao3

The first chapter will be posted Sunday, 13 August 2023.

Borne of our actual hatred of business development and networking events, @rmd-writes and I have created (Un)professional Services: 6 chapters and 60,000 words of corporate-Tarlos chaos, to be posted over 6 weeks.

This project was the result of many many hours of no one telling us "no", including each other, and the answer to everything being "yes, and then what if...":

There are hot people at networking events?

We make Owen the most chaotic he’s ever been?

Gwyn lives and roasts TK at every opportunity?

Carlos spirals like a zoodle?

TK has to endure seeing Carlos in a suit all the time?

A law firm makes corporate branded condoms?

Fire safety training is an ongoing and slightly unexplained theme?

Stay tuned to find out the answer to some of these and more.

A thousand forehead kisses and fruit baskets for @celeritas2997 for letting us derail the gc over this so many times and for beta reading!

Summary below just because we like to tease:

TK Strand has been an attorney long enough to know that networking events with accounting firms offer little more than terrible wine that he doesn’t drink, uninspiring small talk and a stack of identical-looking business cards.  Until he takes Nancy up on a bet and winds up having all of his preconceived ideas about business development being challenged by an accountant who is very far from boring. The Tarlos Professional Services AU.

wip wednesday for y'all (on thursday) - thank you for your tags @rmd-writes @carlos-in-glasses @kiwiana-writes @heartstringsduet @cha-melodius @strandnreyes @hippolotamus @inflarescent @alrightbuckaroo @three-drink-amy @birdclowns @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut, i hope to get to the snippets to read on my lunchbreak and reblog! thank you for continuing to think of me, i love reading your stuff <3 here's a little something from the au @rmd-writes have just started entitled Call Me (By My Name):

“Watch it,” the guy snaps, stepping neatly to Carlos’ right as Carlos practically flattens himself against the rear of the truck. They stop for a moment, time seeming to stand still as Carlos stares unapologetically at the man in front of him.

The captivating eyes are framed with dark lashes, fanning out across perfect, high cheekbones and complemented by full, pink lips. They look breathtaking, even though they’re wearing a scowl, and Carlos wants to press the tip of his finger to one, just to see how soft they are. He bets this guy is a good kisser, which is a very inappropriate thing to be thinking at the scene of an accident.

“Sorry,” he murmurs, even though he hasn't done anything wrong. This man – this beautiful, intriguing person – has Carlos’ heart feeling as if it's sitting in his throat, threatening to leap right out of his mouth. “I didn’t—”

“Hey, you’re APD, right?” the guy says, breaking the breathless trance Carlos has seemingly devolved into. “Can you, I don’t know, do your job? My captain is out there breaking up fights between drivers and you’re hiding around the back of our truck.”

Carlos starles at the accusation. “I'm not hiding,” he protests. “I just got here!”

“Great, good!” the man bites back pointing around the other side of the truck with passion. “The fight is over there, just in case you wanted to start helping out.”

“Should I bypass dispatch and just ask you where I’m needed?” Carlos retorts, surprised by his own assertiveness. Mere seconds ago he’d been in some dreamlike state where this man was kissing him into oblivion, but it turns out that’s just a figment of Carlos’ overactive imagination. This guy is a dick.

The man scoffs and turns away, the fluoro on the back of his turnouts directing Carlos’ attention to his name. Carlos opens his mouth, unsure of what he’s planning to say, when TK Strand calls over his shoulder.

“Maybe don’t make us do your job for you next time.”

open tag because i'm very late, but also for @lightningboltreader (because you said you were almost finished one bed!!!!) @watmalik @fitzherbertssmolder @a-kinkajou @inkweedandlizards and @whatsintheboxmh (because i'm a fiend for art wips!) @lemonlyman-dotcom (i know you posted a fic today, but just checking!) @wandering-night19 (spoilers for next chapter maybe?) @chicgeekgirl89 (hows seafaring?) @freneticfloetry (no pressure! i hope your vacation is going well!) @goodways (make me laugh i dare you) @rosedavid (are the words working?) @theghostofashton (more exes more exes more exes??? no pressure obviously i'm just a fiend) @ladytessa74 (did i make up that you were writing a spooky season au?) @indomitable-love (football wip PLS!!!!) @athousandrooms (anything from you is my beloved) @orchidscript (haven't seen you around recently pls share if you have something!!!)

thanks @welcometololaland @strandnreyes @kiwiana-writes @three-drink-amy @cha-melodius for the early tags.

I’ve just missed Wednesday in my timezone and all I have for you is one line because spoilers abound, but Lola and I just hit 40k on the fic affectionately known as call me, so:

“Anything. I’d do anything for you,” Carlos murmurs, before making a noise in his throat like he’s trying to hold back.

Open tag plus @liminalmemories21 @indestructibleheart @stereopticons @reyesstrand @lightningboltreader @clottedcreamfudge @everwitch-magiks @happiness-of-the-pursuit @myheartalivewrites @mikibwrites @porcelainmortal @carlos-tk @carlos-in-glasses @heartstringsduet @anchoredarchangel @sherryvalli @freneticfloetry @never-blooms @maxbegone @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut @chicgeekgirl89

wip wednesday

thank you for the tags @jesuisici33 @three-drink-amy @reyesstrand @taralaurel @alrightbuckaroo @freneticfloetry @bonheur-cafe @lemonlyman-dotcom @strandnreyes @carlos-in-glasses @heartstringsduet @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut @lilythesilly @welcometololaland always such a delight to wake up to snippets in my inbox!!

I don't have anything new for you this week, but have a little something from the upcoming chapter 2 of (Un)professional Services (cc @welcometololaland)

Carlos arrives at the cafe TK proposed – not proposed, suggested – fifteen minutes early. He hates being late generally, and he really doesn’t want to keep TK waiting. He stands in the doorway, scanning the cafe to find the best table – nothing too close to the counter so that they don’t end up surrounded by a line of customers, and not the table behind the pillar which means that TK won’t be able to see him. There’s space at the bench by the windows, but what if TK doesn’t want to be seen with him from the street? Plus, that would require them to sit side by side.  Someone bumps into him as they push past, muttering under their breath.  “Sorry,” Carlos says, moving out of the doorway and sitting down at the first free table he sees. He’s not convinced it’s the best choice, because it’s a little closer to the door than he’d like and still in clear view of the windows, but he’s sitting now and doesn’t want TK to catch him playing musical chairs. He looks at his watch: ten-fifty a.m. He drums his fingers on the table. Should he order coffee for them? He knows TK’s coffee order. But that would reveal that he’d checked the order written on the side of TK’s coffee cup when he brought Carlos a coffee that one time and remembered it like a creep, even though it’s not the most straightforward order. Right, waiting until TK arrives to order anything then. Carlos remembers that he has chewing gum in his pocket and slips a piece into his mouth to freshen his breath. As soon as he feels the minty coolness spreading across his mouth he realises how presumptuous it is of him to even think that TK might get close enough to notice his breath.  A waiter delivers coffee to a neighbouring table.  Carlos groans internally. They’re here for coffee. There is no reason for him to chew gum anyway. He looks around for a napkin to spit the gum into, except there aren’t any on the table and now he has no way of getting rid of it. He could go to the restroom? But what if TK arrives? He checks his watch again: ten-fifty-five. 

I think everyone in LS fandom has done this already so I'll tag: @petalwritesx @stereopticons @cha-melodius @stutteringpeach @kiwiana-writes @indomitable-love @orchidscript @hippolotamus @mostlyinthemorning @nontoxic-writes

wip wednesday thursday

thanks for the tag @hippolotamus! 

I am once again here with some snippets from the fic that @welcometololaland and I are writing together, but we thought we’d play a little game today because it’s getting to the point where sometimes neither of us can remember who’s written what in this fic. So, here are two snippets from the fic, one written by me and one written by Lola, if you think you know who wrote them, feel free to jump into the comments with your guess!

“Falafel?” Carlos asks, panic rising in his throat. “You’re not vegetarian are you? Oh my god, I should have checked first, I’m so sorry. Here, I can take it back,” he says, reaching for the container and inadvertently placing his hands on TK’s. “Oh sorry, I didn’t mean—”

“Carlos,” TK interrupts him, laughter in his voice, but it isn’t unkind. “I’m not vegetarian.”

“You’re not?” Carlos winces at the way his voice goes a little pitchy. 

“No, I’m not.”

Relief washes over Carlos and his breaths come a little easier. 

“I am vegan though,” TK deadpans. 

Carlos stops breathing. 

--

TK knows it might seem desperate, but he doesn’t think he’s ever sent a calendar invite out quicker in his life. He feels buoyed by the fact that Carlos accepts it almost immediately, before another email lands in his inbox.

–

From: [email protected] To: [email protected]

Subject: 11pm

Hi TK

I think you set the time on the calendar invite to 11pm instead of 11am?

Aside from the fact that there may be few coffee shops open at that time, I suspect that no one will believe an 11pm coffee catch up is strictly professional.

Carlos.

–

TK actually cringes at the faux pas and sinks back into his seat. He’s given momentary reprieve from his pervasive feeling of shame as an email from his mother lands in his inbox. It’s marked high priority, which he supposes means he should open it sooner rather than later, lest she appear at his office door unannounced and refer to him by his full name.

It’s not Wednesday here anymore and it’s getting late for everyone else, so consider this an open tag to share what you’re working on! 

@welcometololaland : do you think we can do this in 5k per chapter?

Rae: …

Lola: okay no more than 30k total

Rae: sounds good

Current wordcount (and chapter one isn’t finished yet 🙈)

Keeping this thing under 30k definitely seems doable, yes?

Last lines

Tagged by @liminalmemories21 to share the last lines I’ve written (and also by @hippolotamus to share for snippet sunday)

“I’m so sorry you had to see that.”

“It’s fine. He was nice,” Carlos replies. 

“That’s one word to describe him.”

Unable to stop the word ‘work’ from echoing around his mind, Carlos takes another sip of his coffee. “What’s another word?”

“Embarrassing,” TK mutters. “After that, if you need to delete my email address and never contact me again, I will completely understand. Though,” he pauses, “maybe the fact that you are a fire warden should make me rethink everything anyway.”

“Does it help if I tell you that I was told I had to be one? It’s not exactly something I chose to do.”

“Hmmm, a little. Though, do you have to wear one of the helmets? Seeing you in one of those might change my mind,” TK smirks.

Tagging @blackandwhiteandrose @stereopticons @three-drink-amy @everwitch-magiks @strandnreyes to share

15 Questions

I believe I was tagged by @chaotictarlos @kiloskywalker @bine-nr9 @firstprince-history-huh to do this and i'm sorry for how long it took me.

Nickname: Lolarae / Raelola (with @rmd-writes), Anlora (with @rmd-writes and @paper-storm), 'trash goblin' (by myself), 'my sweet sweet fool' (@clottedcreamfudge, probably), 'tap dancing on my last nerve' (my boss, also probably), 'absolute pest' (most other people).

Height: 5 feet, 9 inches (aka. 'perfectly average' - source: Alexander Claremont-Diaz).

Last thing I googled: "Jeremy Irons voice" - listen to any YouTube video of him, you'll agree with my choice. Alternatively, watch the Lion King.

Song stuck in my head currently: Pony, Ginuwine for reasons.

Number of followers: I don't have followers only internet friends that I love and cherish and want to give a forehead kiss to (with consent).

Amount of sleep: Not enough (does anyone remember that game Snowboard Kids on Nintendo 64? Say it with me).

Dream Job: not my current job.

Wearing: a hoodie, an oversized t-shirt, sports shorts, socks and undergarments, because i'm not a heathen.

Movie/Book that summaries you: A Series of Unfortunate Events (not actually, just the title).

Favourite Song currently: Don't ask me this you know my music taste sucks.

Favourite Book Author/s: I love CMQ, obviously. RWRB is my comfort read, always. Hanya Yanagihara's A Little Life is the book that has stuck with me the most. I never recommend this to anyone because it's DARK, but I've never been so emotionally affected by a book before. It's stunning.

Random Fact: I once met Gabriel Macht on the streets of Soho, NYC, which was the same day I found out that I get cripplingly star struck.