You may have heard of what happened in Lebanon today and if not, basically, there was a big explosion in Beirut that affected many cities, destroyed shops, homes, cars, caused many injuries and deaths. The cause is uncertain.
As a fellow lebanese myself (that also lives there), today was absolutely terrifying, probably the scariest moments of my life. We heard a deafening sound as the floors were shaking. Some of us thought it was an attack, others thought it was an earthquake. As soon as it ended many expected a second one, which luckily never happened.
Hereās a video of what happened that was sent to me, there are also many others that you can find online.
Windows were broken, doors wrecked, cars flipped over, buildings collapsed, people hit by flying or falling objects, and unfortunately, many didnāt make it out alive.
We were one of the lucky ones, our families and friends were all safe and our homes were fine.
Some people couldnāt even get out of the crumbling builings, so we saw corpses being pulled out, although some people survived the crash. But wherever we looked, there was blood, poeple were half covered in it, their shirts, pants, hair, everything. And that sight was traumatizing.
We watched the news with elders severely injured, children with blood-spattered shirts and people in pain that couldnāt get in the hospitals because they were full.
Some people are missing. Just try to imagine the pain and fear their families and friends are feeling.
Articles about what happened, there are a lot more
Officials expect death toll to rise after huge blast rips through Lebanon's capital.
The explosion took place at the port shortly before 19:00 local time (18:00 CET) with a large cloud of smoke billowing over the city. Eyewit
Not only are we in the middle of a pandemic, but Lebanon is also going through a very serious economical crisis. To give you an example, before, $1 equaled 1 500 lebanese pounds. Nowadays, $1 equals more than 7 000 lebanese pounds. Not to mention that we obviously donāt have any dollars at disposition, so yeah weāre fucked.
People are hungry, homeless, unemployed. And even if they are getting paid, itāll be useless since the prices of everything went up because they were affected by the economical fiasco.
Important additional information
Today, I heard my 7 year old cousins scream in fear that they were going to die. I saw my aunt shaking, worried that her children wonāt survive. I saw my dad freak out while trying to reassure us when we both knew that we were uncertain about the next minutes of our lives. I heard the panic in the trembling voices of my family and friends as they couldnāt believe what had just happened. I thought my loved ones and I were going to die in the next seconds.
Iām never forgetting those moments and feelings.
I donāt think signing petitions will help, i donāt even know if the following links will help either, I just know Lebanon and itās people are desperate for anything because the future of this country is extremely uncertain.
https://helplebanonnow.carrd.co/
How can you help?
https://lebanoncrisis.carrd.co/
Lebanon Needs You More Than Ever. Know more about the crisis in Lebanon, sign petitions, donate or explore volunteering opportunities.
Help families, domestic workers, and refugees in Lebanon with food and other basic needs during this economic and public health crisis
I think donating to the red cross would be the most helpful, so if you are considering it, itād be great.
There are so many great threads on twitter about what you can do to help, just search help lebanon or something to find them. Also if you can, please donate, and as I said, the lebanese pound is pretty much worthless currently so USD is way more useful to us.
Itās a nice moment, and TK feels a little guilty for wanting something more than just this. The talking, the being close, itās good. Itās the best thing thatās happened to him since he got to Austin. But he wants to do something a bit more, wants to be as close to Carlos as possible in every single way and remind himself how good it had felt when Carlos took care of him before. The gentle way he cupped TKās cheek as they fooled around, his tender kisses- he wants to feel that again. He needs to feel it again in case it all goes away.
Instead he reaches for Carlosā hand, which is just as good but in a different sort of way. He feels at peace when their fingers lace together as if they were built for it. But of course, when he reaches for him, thereās a moment where his fingers skim across Carlosā thigh, and he just knows. The slight twitch, the look in Carlosā eyes when their gazes meet again.
āOh, itās like that?ā
Carlos laughs a little and leans closer.Ā āI didnāt think you were gonna hold my hand.ā
And maybe itās a sign that everything will be okay, and this is what heās always supposed to have. TK switches which hand holds Carlosā and reaches down again, this time allowing himself to feel the muscles of Carlosā torso, and where his body is just a little softer before the waistband of his jeans. Itās familiar. Beloved. He pops open the button and lets his hand slip beneath his boxers.
He keeps his eyes up. Not on what heās doing. He knows the way it feels, how Carlos likes it. But he hasnāt gotten the chance to study his face, and the way his jaw tightens just a little. His soft eyelashes. The little curls that reach just beyond his hairline and will get stuck to his skin with sweat if they go at this long enough. TK wishes he had spent more time looking at his face before, and not just his body.Ā
When Carlos looks back, he almost forgets how to breathe. Thereās something in his eyes thatās more than the way anyone else looked at him. More than the way Alex ever looked at him. Itās so warm and affectionate. Loving, even. And TK wants to kiss him, but that close he wonāt be able to see his face and he needs to see it.
Heās not ready yet for this to go too fast. He still needs to take this slower than he had before, but theyāre here on the hood of Carlosā car together, feeling the way Carlos lifts his hips into the touch, and he just knows. This is what heās been missing for his entire life.
Also Iām gonna add Iām not gonna be stressed about tarlos is ronen and Rafa donāt seem stressed about tarlos. Which I know they couldnāt bc because they are public figures but they obviously support this couple full heartedly. They seem to be happy with the way tarlos is going so far and I totally trust that. When ronen starts getting shady on twitter then we should freak lol
At first I was stressed about the dinner scene not being in this episode. BUT THEY WENT DANCING! Just like ronen hinted in the live. Maybe it was a short scene but it was still sweet and it showed a good side of tarlos. Working together to make a friend feel good. We got got TWO scenes of Carlos being a good friend to Michelle at the hospital and then Paul. Just because that dancing scene was in there after being lightly hinted at makes me really trust ronen, Rafa, the writers, the editors , etc. They know what they are doing. We just gotta trust that they are gonna do right by us and tarlos Hhh
I wrote this bc i saw someone say they wanted to see tk get choked. This is NOT blatantly smut. That will come in part two probably tomorrow. Itās 6 am when i wrote this im sorry for spelling mistakes no beta. this is just me testing the waters bc i have never published smut. go easy on me
Ao3
āI need you to teach me to cook, Carlosā Tk Slumped back on the couch with a content sigh having just eaten one of Carlosās home cooked meals. He could never turn down a Dinner invitation especially when Carlos was cooking.Ā
āOh that can easily be arranged, Amor.ā Carlos smiled as he walked over to the couch leaving the dishes on the table to be cleaned later. Right now he had more pressing matters. Those matters being, cuddling with Tk on the couch. He let out a heavy sigh as he plopped down next to Tk on the couch stretching his limbs out with a groan.
āLong day?ā Tk asked turning his body to face Carlos leaning an elbow against the back of the couch as he held his head up with the palm of his hand. Carlos hummed in response, turning to smile at Tk.Ā
āIt wasnāt that terrible but i went a little too hard at the gym today so i'm a little sore.āĀ
ā Ahh I see.ā Tk slowly nodded ā That makes sense you're trying to catch up to me.ā Tk teased as he flexed his muscles with a playful smile. Obviously both men were physically fit but it was no question that Carlos was bulkier.Ā
āExcuse me, Mr strand?ā Carlosās jaw dropped and his eyebrows raised in faux shock at Tkās comment. āWhat are you implying?ā
āOh you know. That I'm stronger than you, bulkier, more assertive, more dominant than you. Obviously I am running the show here!ā Carlos scoffed at Tkās comments. Carlos quickly grabbed Tkās legs and yanked him into a lying position on the couch moving to hover over him in attempts to wipe that smirk off of Tkās face.Ā
āYou think you are more dominant than me?ā out of all the things that Tk claimed to be, dominant was the one that Carlos decided to single in on. Tkās smirk grew more mischievous as he found more buttons of Carlosās to push. The older male narrowed his eyes sizing up the man below him as he thought about his next move.Ā
āHmmm. If you are so dominant.. What would you do if I just..ā Carlosās hand snaked up Tkās body and grabbed his throat. Tk let out a sharp gasp as soon as he felt Carlos's strong hand against his throat for the first time. He let his eyes roll back in his head before he realized what was happening.Ā
āPleaseā Tk let out an involuntary whimper no louder than a soft whisper. Tkās eyes widened as he quickly pushed the hand away.Wiggling out from under Carlos, he hurried to the kitchen in attempts to busy himself. It would have been easy to slip into a full submissive roll for the man if he let himself. But the idea of showing Carlos that side of him was a bit intimdatingĀ
ā Iām gonna clean up the dishes!ā He said a bit too hastily.Ā
āUhm.. what was that?ā Carlos asked stunned into his spot on the couch only turning his head to watch tk walk away. Tk began clearing the dinner dishes off of the table, scraping off what was left in the trash and piling the dishes into the sink.
āI have no idea what youāre talking about.ā He mumbled casually like he didnāt just beg Carlos to choke him. Tk took a deep breath keeping his back to Carlos as he began vigorously washing the dishes. A smirk grew on Carlos's lips as he slowly sauntered over to the kitchen taking his time to take in Tk from behind. From The way those black jeans accentuated his full thighs up to the way his dress shirt hugged his perfectly toned back. Carlosās tongue fell from his mouth licking at his lips almost hungrily as he stepped up behind Tk close enough for the shorter man to feel Carlos's breath against his neck. Tk bit his lower lip as he felt a hand snake up over his hip and around his waist pulling him back roughly so his ass was pressed up snuggly against Carlosās groin.Ā
āDo you like being choked, Tyler Kennedy?ā Carlos leaned in closer whispered right behind his ear. He kept his voice low, his excitement adding a bit of raspiness to his tone. The question sent a shiver down Tkās, back dropping a plate in the sink as he grabbed for the counters ledge in attempts to steady himself. Carlos kept a tight hold of the man as he felt him wobble. Tk turned his head towards Carlos slightly keeping his gaze cast downward as he placed his free hand on top of Carlosās on his waist.Ā
āI asked you a question?ā Carlos took the opportunity to try out being more assertive with the younger male grabbing at the waistband of his pants turning him around quickly. He leaned him up against the counters ledge but kept his own footing so their chest pressed firmly together trapping tk there. Tk let out another sharp gasp, his eyes now staring up at Carlos. Instead of being shy about it like before he decided to face it head on fighting fire with fire. He wasnāt going to submit to Carlos that easily.
āMaybe. What does it matter to you?.ā Tk shrugged leaning away just enough to cross his arms over his chest tilting his head to the side like he was squaring up to carlos. The question only fueled Carlos further. He knew Tk had a little bit of brat in him. He could have told anyone that from day one but getting to explore this side of him now was exhilarating.Ā
āOh thatās how itās gonna be huh?ā Carlos asked, raising his eyebrows. Tk only smiled mockingly pushing all of Carlos's buttons. The pair stared at each other for a moment before Carlos took the opportunity to reach up and wrap his hand around Tks throat again. He kept the touch light at first only barely pressing his fingertips into his skin wanting to watch the expression on Tks face. Tk tried his best to seem unfazed, like this wasnāt driving him absolutely insane. Something deep inside of him was pleading to just drop the act and beg carlos to grab him tighter and fuck him until the only thing he could remmeber was Carlosās name. But he fought it. Instead he held Carlosās gaze as a smirk played on his lips.Ā
āIs that all youāve got, Officer?ā Without any hesitation Carlos slid one of his legs between Tkās thighs and pressed his own thigh up against Tkās clothed dick already feeling him plump up in his jeans.Ā
ā Hmm.ā Carlos hummed easily as his hand tightened around Tkās throat. āSeems to me that you are already enjoying yourself, Tiger.ā Carlos didnāt dare look away from Tkās face watching as his eyes began to gloss over. He could feel the way Tk began to slump into his arms. He watched the way Tkās tongue darted out licking over his lips as his head rolled back and his eyelids fluttered slightly.Ā
ā Fuck..ā Tk mumbled under his breath as a soft moan rolled out of his mouth. His hands grabbed Carlos's sides tightly gripping his shirt until his knuckles turned white. Tk forced his eyes open to look up at Carlos trying to stay more alert. He still wanted to fight and give Carlos a run for his money but that little submissive part of him was slowly winning.Ā
āNow.ā Carlos said again cocking his head to the side pressing his thigh against tk again. āI asked you a question. Do you like being choked, Tyler Kennedy?ā Carlos used his full name again hoping it would give him an advantage over the other male.
āYes.ā The word slipped out involuntarily before Tk could even fully process the question. He moved a hand from Carlosās shirt to the wrist of the hand that was again tightening around his throat. He dug his fingers into Carlosās skin as he let out a drawn out whimper.Ā
āSay it.ā Carlos ordered.
āYes. Yes I like being choked.ā Carlos took in a sharp breath in attempts to keep his composure. He liked being this authoritative figure that could get Tk to buckle under a strong hand and a stern voice. Carlos didnāt want tk to see how badly this was affecting him, how tk could easily get Carlos to do anything he pleased if he asked him in that breathy little voice of his accompanied by those pretty whines. Not yet anyways.Ā
āTell me what you want, Tiger.āĀ
āWant..ā Tk took in a deep breath and let it go slowly as his eyes rolled back into his head again not able to fight his need any longer.Ā
ā Look at me when you speak.ā Tk let out a whimper at carlosās words forcing his eyes open, purposefully batting his lashes as he looked up at carlos. Despite Carlos wanting it too seem like he was cool, calm, and collected, Tk could feel the way he grew harder against his thigh by the minute. Tk could see the beads of sweat forming at Carlosās hairline. He was just as worked up as Tk was, going just as crazy. If Carlos was going to do this to him, Tk could throw it right back at him. He stood up a little straighter and stared Carlos down as he spoke with confidence.Ā
āWant you to fuck me while youre hand is around my throat, Papi. ā Tk smirked feeling Carlos's reaction with the sudden burst of tightness around his throat.Ā
āBedroom. Now!ā Carlos practically growled. Tk definitely wasnāt going to argue with that.Ā