#ao3theskyisblue

[marjansmarwani]

Came for the writing, stayed for the writing <3

Honestly stayed for the positivity, the chaos, the WIP teases, and just everything really, but they only allowed one fill-in-the-blank space :')

As someone who routinely ignores word count limits, I support you. And thank you, all the <3 back to you too <3

Came for the _____ stayed for the _____

[decafdino]

wip wednesday

another two scenes done! Thank you to @wandering-night19 for the tag. While I feel guilty that the big bang project is sort of on the back burner for now, I am super excited that I've got my groove back for my brain damage au! So excited that I decided on a whim to write in a whole scene that was not in my outline haha. Here's a snippet from that very scene:

It takes him twenty minutes to get dressed, call an uber, and arrive at the hospital. The entire time, he's spam-texting both Nancy and TK to get more details on what happened, but they've both gone radio silent. The sinking feeling from earlier is starting to feel more like an anchor travelling to the center of the earth.

It's unclear if the sight of a bedraggled man walking as fast as possible on shaky legs and a cane unsettles the man working at the front desk, but Carlos doesn't really care. He's off like a shot again the moment the guy points a finger in the direction of the hospital's emergency room.

The place is bustling with activity, but Carlos ignores it. He goes over to the first nurse he sees. "I'm looking for a TK Strand? He was admitted about an hour ago—"

"Carlos!" Nancy waves at him from around a dividing curtain. "Over here."

His knees are just about killing him from overexertion by the time he throws back the curtain to reveal his fiancé laid up in a hospital bed, in the middle of talking to one of Carlos' coworkers. There are bruises splattered across his face and arms, and a woman in scrubs is currently in the process of stitching a long— and thankfully shallow— cut along the lower left side of his torso. He's also sporting a split lip and holding an ice pack to his right eye.

TK winces as the nurse hooks more of his skin for the next suture, and Carlos is horrified to find that beneath the ice pack, TK's eye is swollen and purple. He's at TK's side in an instant, completely ignoring Nancy and Officer McCallum.

"What happened?" he asks, voice half-angry and half-terrified as he lightly cups TK's cheek.

"Hi, baby," TK says. "It's not as bad as it looks."

He lowers his voice, not willing to let him get around this. "Tyler, what the hell happened? Who did this to you?"

TK tries to shrug, then winces again when the movement pulls on his stitches and he receives a glare from the nurse. "It was a misunderstanding."

Nancy raises her eyebrows disbelievingly. "A misunderstanding that led to you getting stabbed?" she asks loudly. She turns to Carlos. "Tommy and I found him half-conscious in an alley. They took his med bag and his wallet."

The nurse finishes the stitches and wastes no time securing a bandage over the wound and dipping away from their conversation. Carlos is thankful that she can read a room, unlike Officer McCallum. "You were mugged?"

"I thought they needed medical help," TK defends. When Carlos looks at him expectantly, he elaborates, "We were responding to an apartment fire, and there was flaming debris falling everywhere. They called for help and since it was just the two of them, I thought I could handle it on my own. They didn't seem threatening at first, just scared."

"And then they cornered you in an alley and stabbed you," Carlos finishes for him.

no pressure tags: @morganaspendragonss @rmd-writes @taralaurel @alrightbuckaroo @ao3theskyisblue @strandnreyes @sanjuwrites and anyone not mentioned who wants to join (*cough cough* YOU *cough cough*)

[welcometololaland]

Fic Rec Friday Round Up - Part 1

Thanks to everyone who participated! I have a list below of the fics that people either tagged me in or tagged #fic rec friday. If I've missed anyone (or tagged anything incorrectly), please let me know.

This week's theme: a fic that made you cry / feel all the feelings.

Please read at your own discretion - heed tags and ratings on each individual fic (particularly this week as I see some fics have archive warnings that apply). Keep yourself safe friends!

911

a bleeding sun on a silver screen by @hoediaz

Further Than Blood (Or Than Bones) by @letmetellyouaboutmyfeels

In the Gray You are Golden by @letmetellyouaboutmyfeels

911 Lone Star

"I'm doing it, shut up." by @irispurpurea

'til death do us part by @morganaspendragonss

A home isn't always the house we live in by @liminalmemories21

Among my stillness was a pounding heart by @tailoredshirt

anger has told me her real name is grief by @alrightbuckaroo

Blood on the tracks, fire in the hills by thenorthface

broken glass by @irispurpurea

every beat of you, every measure and note (series) by @fortunatelydecaffeinateddinosaur

Fire Island by @carlos-in-glasses

From The Sidelines by @iboatedhere

haunted by the ghost of you by @strandnreyes

Hold On I Still Want You by @sleepyfaceandsnark

How to Woo a Texan by @ao3theskyisblue

i've been thinkin' 'bout you, do you think about me still? by inconocible

if my wishes came true, it would've been you by @ravens-words

in uncertain terms by @iinryer

it's just around the corner, darlin' by @strandnreyes

quédate un segundo más by @morganaspendragonss

oh, take me back to the night we met by mooshkat

Our Unforeseen Forever by @ao3theskyisblue

Magnetic North by @paperstorm

Missing Moments (series) by @paperstorm

No fix for the fixer by @goodways

porque yo voy a quedarme by @morganaspendragonss

say a solemn prayer, place a poppy in my hair by @strandnreyes

Secret Moments In A Crowded Room by @strandnreyes

Seven Ways (Back to You) (series) by Lolaland

shape-shifting in an endless sleep by @terramous

Silence and Gloom by @wandering-night19

sweet nothing by @strandnreyes

Ten Digits Away by Dekka

The End of Me by @howtosingit

The Five Stages of Afterwards by @karaxuno

The future's overdue by @paperstorm

The kind you can't get away from by @heartstringsduet

the meetings for those in my wake by @morganaspendragonss

They'll Find Another Son to Love by @karaxuno

threadbare by @safeashousespdf

time, curious time by @strandnreyes

Two hearts gone black and blue by @paperstorm

Under the surface by @paperstorm

we've never slept six feet apart by @terramous

when i'm like this, you're the one i want by @thebumblecee

where the empty space is a saving grace by @maxbegone

Wings Are Frayed by @iboatedhere and @pragmatic-optimist

Check, Please!

Hard Enough by 2012bookworm

it drops with the gravity of the rain by shellybelle

Mother's Weekend by @petals42

row upon row by medric

To Every Single Kid I Used To Be by @the-lincyclopedia

Good Omens

A Nanny? In MY Summoning Circle? by pukner

Loki

thicker than water by @mirilyawrites

sea, swallow me by officecowboyy

[tawaifeddiediaz]

tease tidbit tuesday

hi besties @captain-hen tagged me

-----

Christopher is four years old when Eddie comes home for the first time.

He’s much bigger now, and as soon as he has Christopher in his arms, he’s running his hands all over him. Memorizing every new limb, every new expression of his just as the howl of grief takes hold in his chest. Moments that he missed, of his son stretching to become this human in front of him.

Shannon wraps her arms around them, and for a long minute, the angry words between them don’t matter. For a long minute, this is all they have, all they need.

Eddie breathes.

Christopher is still four years old when he realizes how stubble feels.

Eddie tears up the first time, when Christopher lays his hands flat against the three-day stubble that Eddie is relishing growing — no Army regulations to follow in the walls of his own home. He giggles as the prickly hairs tickle his sensitive palms, and even though Eddie feels like a stranger to his son, he bends his head and blows a raspberry into Christopher’s hands.

Christopher’s laugh is loud and bright and oh so familiar, Eddie’s heart clenches with it.

Maybe he’ll grow a beard next.

------

okay bye

tagging @renecdote @deareddie @nymika-arts @ao3theskyisblue @bieddiediaz @oneawkwardcookie and @transexualfag (and anyone else who wants to do this)

[pragmatic-optimist]

tv shows

thanks for the tag @rmd-writes and @marjansmarwani. I wrote out the list of the shows that resonate most with me, the ones I go back to often and quote a lot, and at last count, it was at 16. Lol. I had to narrow it down to 8 (and this alone tells you a lot about me 😂). 

rules: list eight shows for your followers to get to know you better In no particular order:

💖 Ugly Betty

💖 New Girl 

💖 Veronica Mars 

💖 One Day at a Time (Netflix)

💖 One Tree Hill  

💖 Psych 

💖 Happy Endings 

💖 Brothers and Sisters 

No pressure tagging: @iboatedhere @welcometololaland @mistmarauder @reyescarlos @sunshinestrand @strandtk @jddryder @scienter @tailoredshirt @first-kanaphan @ao3theskyisblue and anyone else who would like to share! Please tag me! 

[ravens-words]

Opening Lines

Post your favorite first sentence(s) of a fic you wrote. It can be something you posted, something you’ve been teasing, or even something stuck in wip hell! 

Tagged by the loveliest @ao3theskyisblue 😘

From I'll hold you longer than forever

Falling in love with Evan Buckley has been the easiest thing Eddie has ever done.

Which is probably why it only registers when he sees Buck's limp body hanging from the ladder, completely, terrifyingly still. 

Tagging:

@lambourngb @tkstrrand @honestlydarkprincess @gracespicybradshaw @lire-casander @lilythesilly @sapphire11 @chaotictarlos @liminalmemories21 @bonheur-cafe @noxsoulmate

[noxsoulmate]

Tagged by the lovely @ao3theskyisblue - thank you 😊

8 shows to get to know me:

911 Lone Star - my permanent obsession, lol

Bad Buddy - thanks, @de-ligts, for my newest obsession 😂

Detective Conan - if you watch it long enough you'll soon be able to always guess who the killer is 😂

The Animals of Farthing Wood - my first real fandom, lol

Castle - love to watch the reruns, just so relaxing

Common Law - canceled way too soon, loved that show

Blue Bloods

Downton Abbey

Tagging: @sgirl18, @catching-dreams-and-fireflies, @detective-giggles, @wtfuckevenknows, @chaotictarlos, @lightningboltreader, @bonheur-cafe, @meditating-honey-badger, @guardian-angle22, @heartstringsduet, @ravens-words

[actuallysara]

I was tagged by @ao3theskyisblue and @goodways thank you! <3

This took me so long but:

template

no pressure tagging: @kiras-sunshine @celeritas2997 @tkstrrand @aesthetictarlos @ladytessa74 @bubblesandroses8 <3

[detectivereyes]

jamie’s 1k follower celebration ~ favorite friends/family relationships ↳ #2 - Tommy Vega and Grace Ryder

[reyesstrand]

Hi!! Hope you're doing well 😊 Whenever you feel inspired, I would love to see your rendition of #1 or #4 (or both, whatever you're feelin' 😏) for the physical affection prompts 😁

hi!! i hope you’re doing well too!! i went with #4 for this one, because once the idea was in my head i couldn’t escape it. i hope you enjoy! 💗

all prompts are from this list. also available on ao3!

It’s a mostly quiet morning in the firehouse, and TK moves on auto-pilot as he strolls from the bunks to the kitchen. His mind’s been elsewhere recently, anyway—he scrubs a hand down his face with a little sigh, digging through the cabinet for a mug. 

He spends several moments just letting his thoughts stew, pinching the bridge of his nose as the machine heats up. When it’s ready, he stares off into the distance, letting the heat from the mug seep through to his palms. 

“Alright,” Marjan says, appearing out of nowhere and nearly making TK spill his coffee. “Spill.” 

“I literally have no idea what you’re talking about, Marj,” TK replies, leaning against the counter. She gestures toward the espresso machine and he side-steps to the right, giving her access. 

“The elephant in the room?” Marjan presses, cocking a sculpted brow at him. She pokes him in the cheek, and he playfully swats at her hand. “The way you’ve been looking a little blue for almost two weeks, while refusing to say anything to us?” 

TK sighs, staring down at his coffee, swirling it around gently. “Is it that obvious?”

Marjan just levels him with a look. 

“Okay, okay,” TK places his coffee on the counter and crosses his arms over his chest. “I just—I miss him.” 

“Carlos?” Marjan asks, curling her fingers around the pale green mug she chooses. 

TK nods. He taps his fingers nervously against his bicep, before continuing. “It’s been a week. And we’ve been texting, and I know there’s Facetime but—”

“—it isn’t the same,” Marjan concludes, meeting his eyes. TK just sighs and nods again. “I’m sorry, man.” 

“It’s okay,” TK sighs, rubbing the back of his neck, offering her a small smile as he sighs exasperatedly. “I’ve gone through worse and survived.” 

“Don’t remind me,” Marjan rolls her eyes, though she still reaches forward and squeezes his arm. 

TK smiles softly at her. "But uh, I'm more worried about him, you know? He's going through so much and I can't be with him."

"I'm sure he knows that you're there for him," Marjan says, in that confident way of hers that seems to calm his nerves no matter what. "Hey, how about we get boba after shift? My treat."

“Well, I can’t turn that down, can I?” TK smiles softly at her, and she grins. 

“Nope. It’d be breaking the rules of our friendship,” Marjan moves closer to wrap an arm around him in a half hug. 

It feels nice, the brief moment of physical touch. But he’d be lying if he said it didn’t make him long for Carlos more. 

* * *

Carlos had gotten the call exactly fifteen days ago, while they were cooking dinner. 

Well—Carlos had been cooking dinner. TK was attempting to help. His boyfriend had come up behind him and kissed just under his ear before his phone started ringing, and TK was left feeling the tiniest bit dazed as he waited for what felt like forever for the pot of water he was supposed to be watching to start boiling. 

The minutes slowly ticked on and TK started snacking on some of the spare veggies Carlos had chopped up, glancing around and taking in the personal touches to Carlos’ kitchen: the little statuettes and candles and potted plants. He’s positioned himself in front of the various photographs stuck to the fridge, taking in the faces that pop up again and again, the people that TK wants so desperately to meet one day. 

He’d heard footsteps approaching and glanced over his shoulder, his smile immediately falling when taking in Carlos’ expression. TK had immediately crossed the room, curling an arm around his boyfriend’s middle. 

And that’s when he’d found out the news: that Carlos’ father was sick, that his sisters think he should get home, that tomorrow would be ideal. TK wished so badly he could go with his boyfriend to comfort him, but what kind of introduction would that be? 

“It’ll be okay,” TK had said, the only thing he could think of, holding Carlos as tight as he could. “I’m here for you.” 

* * * 

Four days later, it’s officially the longest they’ve been apart since getting together. 

TK misses him all the time, with his whole damn being. He’s thankful for his job because it keeps his mind occupied, and the team’s always around to keep him distracted. He’s been getting text updates pretty frequently, and this morning the best news came: that Carlos’ dad had improved enough to go home from the hospital, and his boyfriend would be home any day now. 

And so he’s understandably more jittery than usual, eyes trained on the clock on the wall, trying to keep himself busy by wiping down the rig. 

It means that he isn’t looking when his boyfriend strolls through the open bay door, waving to Marjan and Paul; it means that when he hears two gentle knocks against the panelling of the truck below him, he jumps the slightest bit, before meeting Carlos’ eyes from where he looks up at him. 

“Holy shit,” he gets out, immediately throwing his rag somewhere he doesn’t care to notice. 

Carlos huffs out a laugh. “Hey, Ty.” 

TK’s back on solid ground and has launched himself into Carlos’ arms before he gets another word out. It causes his boyfriend to stagger back a few steps, though his arms curl around him just as quickly. 

“Are you okay?” TK asks, reluctantly pulling back from the hug, dragging his hands up to rest on either side of Carlos’ face. “How’s your family doing?” 

“They’re good,” Carlos says, looking a little tired but less stressed than he’s seemed to be for weeks. He exhales, and it looks like weight lifts from his shoulders. “I’m good. Glad to see you.” 

TK bites the inside of his cheek, and drags his thumb along Carlos’ jawline. “I’m glad to see you too.” 

“He was moping around like a sad puppy, Reyes,” Paul yells from the other side of the bay. 

“Rude!” TK playfully yells back, Carlos slowly pulling him closer as he laughs.

“Well, I missed you more than I’ve ever missed anyone, so,” Carlos murmurs, mostly into TK’s hair.

“Dork,” TK whispers, before finally giving in and kissing his boyfriend, teasing cheers from his teammates be damned. 

When they pull back, TK settles into his side, feeling more at home than anywhere else in the world. 

[marjansmarwani]

Tagged by @ao3theskyisblue and @alrightbuckaroo to do the fic trope ranking chart, which was cool because it’s been a while since I’ve done one!

The top two categories can be negotiable if it’s a writer I love and respect writing it (looking at you @reyescarlos and @welcometololaland for getting me to read smut), but only then.

no pressure tagging @justaswampdemon @moviegeek03 @morganaspendragonss @reyescarlos @welcometololaland @kiras-sunshine @sunshinestrand and @detectivecarlosreyes

[decafdino]

fic rec friday

taking the open tag from @welcometololaland! since my username in most spaces is DecafDino, I'm going to tag one for the letter D.

rules: tag a fic that starts with the first letter of your name and describe why it’s so good. then tag some other people from any fandom, published at any time. use #fic rec friday or tag @welcometololaland to be included in the roundup

damn the consequences by @morganaspendragonss - This is based off of an episode of BBC Merlin, and I am a sucker for medieval/fantasy AUs in any context (hence my own wips lol). It's the perfect blend of the race-against-the-clock trope as well as a very heartwarming confession of love. Also, classic TK Strand whump is always a bonus! Honestly, I love anything Holly writes because it's always so good, but this is a particular favorite of mine that I like to reread from time to time.

tagging @morganaspendragonss (this one's obligatory), @jesuisici33, @just-inside-her, @iboatedhere, @ao3theskyisblue, and @trkstrnd and anyone else who wants to participate!

[lire-casander]

Hi! Happy 400 followers 👏👏💕 For the celebration, could I request #17 for Tarlos with fluff?

thank you so much for this prompt! i hope you like it! thank you for your unwavering support!

#17 ~ tucking their hands beneath the other person’s shirt, just to watch them break the kiss and gasp in surprise at the sensation of cold/warm hands on their skin.

frozen kisses [645 words] | on ao3

It’s way too cold outside when Carlos’ shift is finally over. He knows he should be used to it by now — after all, he knew what he was signing up for when he chose to follow TK up north and back to New York City — but even after three years living in the city Carlos is still very much not used to it. He drapes his coat tighter around him, his scarf covering half his face, and tugs at his woolen beanie until it’s sitting right over his eyebrows. He knows Kaynes is having a field day for jokes behind him, but Carlos couldn't care less — he’s too busy trying not to die from hypothermia in the middle of the street.

“See you tomorrow, Kaynes!” He calls at his back, still debating whether or not he should fully step outside and into the freezing wind.

“Be careful, Captain Popsicle,” Kaynes teases him. “We don’t want your husband to come here and file a lawsuit.”

Carlos chuckles at that. He knows Kaynes is just joking — she’s quickly become one of his best friends in the precinct, back when he was just a rookie due to him being the last one getting into town, and she’s been very supportive of him when he decided to take a leap of faith and begin climbing up the ladder. He doesn’t particularly enjoy her mockery about his inability to stand the cold.

“If anything, his husband would file a lawsuit against him,” Carlos hears at his back. “For being so hot.”

He turns around to see his husband entering the precinct in just a light jacket. He shakes his head. “I don’t feel like it,” he complains. “And you’re making it worse. It’s freezing out there, TK. How come you’re only wearing a jacket?”

“You’re kinda blowing this fall weather out of proportion, Carlos,” TK tells him with a knowing smile, getting closer. “I come here to pick up my husband and all I get is harsh words in greeting.”

“Sorry, babe,” Carlos smiles at him. He can practically feel Kaynes rolling her eyes at his back. “Hello, what a great surprise.”

“Now, that’s better,” TK praises him with a smile of his own.

TK steps closer, kissing him sweetly. Carlos gets easily lost in the feeling of his lips, not noticing how TK’s hands are undoing the buttons in his coat and slipping beneath Carlos’ shirt until cold fingers touch his skin, sending shivers up his spine — and not in the most pleasurable way. He gasps, jumping back and throwing TK his dirtiest glare. “What the hell, Strand!” He exclaims, shaking his head as he grabs the edges of his coat possessively.

“It’s always fun to startle you like that,” TK retaliates with a wink. “And it’s Reyes-Strand for you.”

“He has a point, Captain Popsicle,” Kaynes laughs. Carlos wants to scream — he doesn’t need his husband to know the nickname he’s been coined with at the precinct.

“Awww, Captain Popsicle?” TK tries to take a step forward but Carlos quickly moves backwards, anything to keep himself away from those horrible freezing hands. “That’s cute. And it suits you.”

“I hate you all,” Carlos mumbles. “I do.”

“Oh, I know you don’t,” TK teases him. “But that’s okay. I know a few ways to keep you warm, if you know what I mean.” He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively, earning himself a chuckle from Carlos and a groan from Kaynes.

“I didn’t need that image in my mind, thank you very much,” Kaynes protests. “Now, go, go before this one turns into an ice cube.”

Carlos wants to glare at her, but he can’t muster up enough energy. Instead, he puts on his gloves and grabs TK’s hand, waving goodbye to his friend before they both step outside with the promise of warmth and love when they reach their house.

celebrate this milestone of 400 followers with me!

[tawaifeddiediaz]

fractals

this is me tap-dancing all over the 6x10 script, timothy minear and logistics, but here we go. thank you @eddiediaaz for being the reason this is double what it was last night, and @ao3theskyisblue for being the reason why this exists at all xD

Pairing: Evan “Buck” Buckley/Eddie Diaz, Eddie Diaz & The Others

Rating: M

Chapter: 1/1

Word Count: 13,015 words

Snippet:

Nothing in the world has ever been as important as this.

Lightning flashes all around them, thunder following closely on its heels, but Eddie pays it no mind. His vision has tunneled into where the rope is now turning, the wind and howling rain sending Buck swaying from the line as Eddie screams for him.

There’s something morbidly beautiful about the way he hangs there, framed against the remaining fractals sparking around him. Buck has always been beautiful, all golden hair and earnest eyes, but framed against the universe he believes so heavily in, Buck is ethereal — an angel doomed to fall.

Eddie won’t let him fall. Buck’s place is in the Heavens and by Eddie’s side, and he’s tired of everyone trying to take that from them.

It’s like the universe is screaming at you and you refuse to listen.

The universe does not scream.

His own words mock him now — the universe might not scream, but Eddie does, and he keeps doing it, begging any power he can think of to not take Buck from them.

[Read on AO3]

[pragmatic-optimist]

tagged by @reyescarlos @welcometololaland @sunshinestrand @rmd-writes and @guardian-angle22 to share 5 songs I’m listening to right now, thanks y’all! 💖

I’ve mostly been listening to my cardio playlist the last two weeks, those final three songs make running intervals on the treadmill feel a little less insufferable lol. Move your body, endorphins are good, blah blah blah. 😂 It’s annoying, but it’s true. Music helps it feel a little less like a chore. 

I’ve also been listening to the usuals on my playlist, but in terms of repeats, I’ve had Miley looping for a while, and randomly burst into the chorus multiple times a day lol.

Mega is a new artist Spotify introduced me to, and I’m grateful. I really love “Future Me.” It’s a beautiful song, and her voice is stunning.

This has probably made the rounds already, so I’m no pressure tagging: @mistmarauder @jddryder @iboatedhere​ @first-kanaphan @ao3theskyisblue @scienter @maybe-theres-hope @tailoredshirt and anyone else who would like to share some tunes 🎶.

[bellakitse]

I think I'm already feeling the sexual tension from #7 but oh please tell me more 👀👀👀👀

Carlos Stays with the Strands

This one has been in my head for a while and it makes me laugh every time I think about it.

Basically, Carlos’ apartment gets damaged to the point that he can’t stay there for a while. TK and Owen offer their place.

Cue Owen messing with them. He makes the couch for Carlos to sleep on only for TK to roll his eyes and be like ‘no he’s sleeping with me’, him commenting on them being like teenagers because he’s always catching them making out. He’s basically a little shit, but he enjoys having Carlos around because of how soft TK is around him. Owen and Carlos bond. It’s meant to be mostly some wholesome good dad Owen approving of his son’s boyfriend and TK barely keeping his hands off his boyfriend. 😂