Writer's Block

So true! There are more of us out there that don’t care for the Jonah line than others realize. And please please, continue to support those of us on ao3 that give fics without that line. The kudos and comments are everything! ❤️

Hey! I feel the exact same way about Tarlos as parents - it’s so frustrating. I never wanted them to adopt, whether it was some random baby or Johan. It feels like they completely changed their dynamic in just 12 episodes. People don’t just change their minds about something as big as having kids that quickly, especially when Carlos was clearly against it. It really ruined things for me, and now I can’t even find any good new fics to help me cope, I’m about to give up on AO3 completely

Hi, anon! Thanks so much for your message. I totally get how you’re feeling - I’ve been there too. Forcing adoption and then romanticizing it doesn’t do these characters justice.

But don’t give up! Writers are absolutely free to explore whatever they want, and even those writing stuff we’re not into often have older Tarlos fics that still capture the dynamic we love.

There are so many Lone Star writers out there who feel the same way about the show’s ending and are worried the fandom is fading because of how many people didn’t like the ending - this is where we come in :)

Keep supporting the writers who do write what you love. Leave kudos, drop a comment - it really means the world to them and helps keep the fandom going strong ❤️

WIP Wednesday

A Work In Progress

Hi All! I am new to the fanfic world. Well, I say that because it's been over 15 years since I last wrote any kind of fanfic. But here I am attempting it. This will be my first Tarlos story posted to ao3, but it's not up yet. I thought I'd join in on the wip fun and see how well this snippet is received. I am happy to take any and all advice. Please, if you have any criticisms, be kind and make it constructive. I hope you all enjoy it! I've been having a blast writing it!

@ronenstrand

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After dinner, TK went straight to his room when they got back to his dad’s house. He didn’t stop to talk and they had been silent on the drive home for the most part. There was a little conversation about how the night had gone, but mostly, it was a quiet ride. Back at the house, TK made a beeline for his room. He should’ve gone home to his place, but it was late and he needed some quick relief. So he stayed at his dad’s place. In his room, he was quick to find himself in the shower and releasing the tension that had built up through the evening. 

After his shower, he collapsed on his bed, not even bothering to get dressed. He wanted Carlos out of his head. At least for the rest of the night. He just wanted some peaceful sleep. Unfortunately, the man crept into his dreams and he woke up needing another release. 

The morning seemed to move quickly and before he knew it, they were at the firehouse. It was a pretty normal morning so far. Coffee, b.s.ing with his brothers, and just chilling until a call came in. 

Hearing his name, TK left the conversation he was in, turning his attention to his dad. But when he looked, his eyes instantly found Carlos and that dry throat thing was a problem once again. He swallowed hard as the man got closer. Fuck, how am I supposed to do my job with him here? He looked so good in the tight hunter-green tee shirt he was wearing. That color really seemed to work for him. 

They greeted each other and Carlos was offering up that gorgeous heart-shaped smile of his and it seemed to cause a flipping in TK’s stomach. With his eyes fixated on Carlos, it was his dad’s suggestion that pulled him out of his trance. “Uh, yeah. Sure. Come on, I’ll um, I’ll show you… the kitchen!” He pointed in that direction and led the way. 

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“I believe my dad mentioned you’d be riding along with us as well. What size shirt do you wear?” He asked as he moved to grab a firehouse shirt for Carlos. “Here. You’ll need to wear that and uh, pants. There should be some here in the wardrobe.” He opened the wardrobe and pointed out the pants for Carlos to choose from. 

“Cool, thanks.” Carlos took a look and found his size. “Um, I’ll just go change then.” He said and gave a nod, 

When Carlos left the room to go change, TK fell to the mattress of his bunk, hands covering his face. He had no idea how he was going to make it through the day with Carlos around. Was he staying for the whole shift? He had no clue. He hoped not since there was nothing he could do about his urges. 

“What do ya think?” Carlos asked as he came back dressed in the same uniform. “Is it too snug?” He asked with a smirk.

Sitting up on his elbows TK looked at him and he seemed to forget how to breathe. Fuck, he looked sexy as hell. Then Carlos did a spin to show the whole outfit. That and the question did not help. Yes. Yes, it is too snug. “Mm, yeah. Looks good.” He said and pressed his lips tight together as he gave a nod.

Then he heard the bells and he breathed a sigh of relief. Thank you. He thought to himself. He’d never been so happy to hear the bells go off. “That’s our cue.” 

TK was up and dashing to the truck, Carlos hot on his heels.

Writers, never forget this: readers bring your stories to life.

If a reader comes back - acknowledge it. That means your words meant something.

If they tell you they liked something - acknowledge it. That connection deserves more than silence or a on emoji.

If they share that they didn’t like something - acknowledge that too. It takes courage to speak honestly.

Don’t ignore your readers. Don’t dismiss their thoughts with angry or vague response.

And above all, don’t attack them in your notes or your blog for simply engaging.

You don’t have to agree with every opinion, but if someone took the time to read your work, feel something, and reach out - you owe them basic respect.

Because without readers, stories are just words on a screen. Readers are the heartbeat of a fandom. Treat them like it.

What if Carlos and TK have a polarid camera and they've documenting their life and capturing special moments on film.

A visual series through their personal photo album :

SEVEN SENTENCE SUNDAY

A little more than seven sentences, but hey... who actually follows that rule? Hahaha! Enjoy this little bit from Chapter 4 of RUINED. I should hopefully have this chapter posted within the next couple of days.

@ronenstrand

Carlos cradled TK's face in his large hands, his fingers trembling slightly as he leaned in to kiss him. The kiss was fervent and filled with an intensity that spoke volumes, a passionate declaration of feelings he had kept buried. As they finally pulled apart, their foreheads touched, creating an intimate connection that seemed to suspend time. Slowly, Carlos used his thumbs to gently brush away the tears that traveled down TK's cheeks, each droplet glistening in the soft light. “I’m going to miss you so much,” he whispered, his voice barely above a breath, heavy with emotion and the weight of their impending separation.

“I’m going to miss you too,” TK whispered, his heart racing as he pressed his lips against Carlos’s once more. The warmth of their connection enveloped them, and in that moment, he felt an overwhelming wave of emotion. “Carlos, I lo…,”

“Don’t. Please don’t say it. It’ll just make it harder for me to leave.”  He squeezed his eyes shut, feeling hot tears spill down his cheeks as he battled the overwhelming urge to voice the very words he had just silenced in TK. “I have to go.” In that fleeting moment, he leaned in for one last kiss, pouring every unspoken emotion—fear, love, and sorrow—into that brief encounter, desperate to convey what words could never express.