Heated Rivalry Fic Recs Part 3: this isn't funny anymore guys I need to get some work done
Being hyperfixated on Heated Rivalry got me feeling like Kip at the end of episode three: "I Miss My Dad." Anyway, if you read any of these, please leave the authors a comment! It really does wonders for the soul, and the Ao3 email is really the only ensouled email.
sympathy fuck by lustmord; 10k; Shane/Ilya; Rated E; takes place when Ilya's father dies and he goes back to Russia
There's something so enticing about fics that really treat adult characters like adults. This fic is such a grown-up look at Ilya and his issues and quirks, rooted from his mother's death and his early sexual debut. Everything is tangled up in sex for him, even his complicated grief for his father, and this fic explores Ilya's past while being firmly rooted in his present. Featuring one of the best scenes with drug use that I've ever read, trippy and sitting in Ilya's headspace even when it gets ugly. Also featuring a fully written out "glasses back on" phone sex scene where Ilya is very mean to Shane's nipples. Because of emotions. Highly recommend.
holding tightly when you invite me by thesehands @ahotknife; 7k; Shane/Ilya; Rated E; takes place during hookup years; Shane asks Ilya if he can suck him off while they're in a semi-public place
I really like reading about Shane's relationship to sex (and Ilya's tbh, see above) and how he starts to connect it with his self-worth at some point in the canon. This fic dives deeply into Shane's submission, and what he's asking for when he asks to be degraded. Shane's mind during this is fascinating and sometimes sad. He's so hard on himself and holds himself to an impossible standard. He cares about Ilya, but is also ashamed that he's allowed himself to feel these things. His headspace is pretty dark, but not really because of what Ilya does to him (which is... fun :)) but also because of what Shane is doing to himself. Featuring some absolutely banger prose, seriously this author has a talent for interior thoughts that you don't see if fic OR commercial romance. Really using those talents for Good (face-fucking).
do unto others by @maple-salad; 4k; Rated E; Scott/Shane/Ilya; threesome at Vegas MLH awards but no one is having fun; read the tags on this one
Oh boy. OHHHHH boy. I thought about this fic for DAYS after reading it because the read on Scott here is DIABOLICAL in the best way. He was a good boy long before Shane Hollander. He does right by the people in his life. He denies himself every pleasure. He hides his sexuality. He's broken things off with Kip and is miserable about it. And in this fic he's looking at Shane and Ilya trouncing around the MLH awards in episode 2, kissing in bathrooms and texting each other and making eyes across the room, and sees two spoiled brats that obviously don't know how dangerous this is for them, for their careers. You can imagine he might want to teach them a lesson about discretion. This deals heavily with how we perceive ourselves versus how others see us, and the crossover between them. Scott's voice is relentless because as he punishes them he's really punishing himself. There's also some really good and complicated Shane/Ilya dynamics here since Shane is compromised and Ilya's trying to protect him, but they aren't even sure what they are to each other. Great early season exploration of these characters that you don't normally see.
Inner Workings by mtothedestiel @summerscottkip; 17K; Rated E; Scott/Kip; Alpha Omega Dynamics; Omega Scott; area grad student can't stop queering things
Do you like your alpha/omega fics with a side of whip smart queer theory? This story is about the intersection of sexuality and gender in terms of sports, and how a secondary gender could complicate a players ability to advance in a professional sports career. Scott is a closeted, highly suppressed omega who has always lived that way in order to play hockey. Halfway through his career, here comes Shane Hollander who manages to live openly as an omega and still have the career he deserves. Scott meets and falls in love with Kip, a queer alpha who will respect any way Scott wants to live. It's really complicated, going deep into the lengths Scott must go just to exist in this space as he learns self-acceptance and accepts Kip's love for him as he is, not separating omega from athlete, but bringing them together. It's a loose retelling of canon but is anything but repetitive. You'll want to know more about the world the author creates, and the details are so fascinating. Crunchy, detailed writing as well that is such a joy to read you can fully immerse yourself in the world building.
That's all for now! Sorry not sorry for the long post, these authors deserve their flowers.
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