Reading with River

Come read with me

[readingwithriver]

I read things... a lot of things...

This blog is literally me dumping my favorites into one place so other people can know they exist.

Books, fanfiction, articles.... yes.

k thx bye

[readingwithriver]

Balinor the Wraith by gardezamour

Fandom: Merlin (BBC) | Pairing: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon | Rating: G

Published: 2025-04-28 | Completed: 2025-11-08 | Words: 19,108 | Chapters: 2/2

Summary:

“You won’t tell him, will you?” he asked. Desperate in a quiet way he wouldn’t usually submit to. But Balinor regarded him with kindness and respect, bowing his head. “You can keep your secrets, but remember that Merlin keeps his own.”

A canon-divergence fic where Balinor is the only mfer in this series to have gaydar and Arthur is not a complete and total dollophead (just a bit of one). Shocking, I know. Uther, of course, is a bigoted dickhead. And of course there's a cheeky (read: angsty) magic reveal because I'm weak for those if y'all haven't noticed already.

[readingwithriver]

Something You Can Fix by some1_around

Fandom: Heated Rivalry | Pairing: Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov | Rating: M

Published: 2025-12-27 | Words: 26,824 | Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

Maybe if the video ended there, Shane thought, it would be okay. Okayish. Still incriminating. Still a fucking disaster. Still embarrassing, to have his breakup with this beautiful actress filmed and disseminated on Reddit of all fucking places, but not a nail in his coffin, burying him alive. But the video didn’t end there. “Can I ask if you’ve ever been with another guy?” she had to ask. And he, tears visible in his eyes, had to nod. Just once. Just a single nod. Why did he have to nod? “Have you ever told anyone that before?” He shook his head. “Was it different? With a guy?” “Of course.” Of course. “Was it better?” “Yes.” +++ Shane’s conversation with Rose is secretly recorded. Months later, after the All-Star game and Ilya’s confession in Russian, the video gets leaked online. Shane is outed to the world while Ilya is in Russia, and must now finish the 2016-2017 season with the entire world in on his secret.

Do YOU want to cry today? Well then please let me introduce you to this fic. Alternate outing if Shane's breakup and coming out with Rose was secretly recorded and leaked online. Plus, Shane and Ilya's relationship reveal to Hayden + The Hollanders in a way that had me fucking cheering and bothering my poor neighbors. A frequently reread fic in my house <3

CW for homophobia + panic attacks + other mental health struggles

[readingwithriver]

Too Hot (Hot Damn) by claremontdiazfox

Fandom: Red, White & Royal Blue | Pairing: Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor | Rating: E

Published: 2025-05-18 | Completed: 2025-07-27 | Words: 39,444 | Chapters: 20/20

Summary:

"We haven't spent any money yet," Henry tells him. The words are spoken into the underside of Alex's jaw, and with Henry this close, Alex can smell his fancy lavender shampoo. "But you want to?" Alex asks. Henry lifts his head. They're stare into each other's eyes, every breath they take together heightening the tension. "I want everything with you." A Too Hot to Handle AU

This is a social-media hybrid Too Hot To Handle AU. Chapters switch between Alex filming "episodes" on Too Hot To Handle (where he's plagued by a certain blond British contestant) and Twitter reaction chapters as the episodes are aired. It's sweet, frustrating, sexy, and funny in equal measure as Alex and Henry find themselves in far deeper than either had planned when they agreed to do the show. Oh no, whatever shall they do about that?

[readingwithriver]

Concussion Protocol by cjr2

Fandom: Heated Rivalry | Pairing: Ilya Rozanov/Shane Hollander | Rating: E

Published: 2025-12-14 | Completed: 2026-01-02 | Words: 49,003 | Chapters: 20/20

Summary:

Instead of Shane, it is Ilya who suffers a concussion during the Boston-Montreal game in April 2017. Dazed and agitated, Ilya briefly starts speaking and responding only in Russian and the medics can’t calm him down. Luckily, Shane started studying Russian after Ilya spoke to him in Russian on the phone from Moscow. For no particular reason. Certainly not because he’s fallen in love with Ilya Rozanov. In Montreal with lingering concussion symptoms, Ilya is advised not to fly home for a few days, and the hospital won’t release him without assurances that he has someone to stay with him until his symptoms improve. Luckily, Shane conveniently has a condo in Montreal no one knows about and a few days before he has to travel again. But Ilya’s symptoms don’t resolve after a few days. Which is okay; Shane can handle it. He can take care of Ilya, study Russian, lead his team into the playoffs, and keep Ilya’s continued presence in Montreal a secret. He can do everything, no problem. He is Shane Hollander after all. or A whump fanfiction that is secretly a fix-it.

This fic is painful and beautiful and heartbreaking and lovely all at the same time--and is the first in a two-part series! When I say that I was feverishly and obsessively checking my email for AO3 update notificatios for this fic as it was being written, I mean I was actually concerned by boss was going to call me out for the amount of time my phone was in my hand when I was supposed to be paying attention in meetings or creating spreadsheets. Love, love, love this fic. LOVE IT.

And if you're worried about the angst level or a not-so-happy-ending? I promise everything will be okay <3

[readingwithriver]

There's a sequel to this fic! And it is ALSO exquisite <3

Full Contact by cjr2

Fandom: Heated Rivalry | Pairing: Ilya Rozanov/Shane Hollander | Rating: E

Published: 2026-01-04 | Completed: 2026-01-24 | Words: 50,450 | Chapters: 20/20

Summary:

Newly traded to the Ottawa Centaurs, Ilya Rozanov is so close to having everything he’d never thought he was allowed to want. He can see the man he loves more than four times a year, he’s surrounded by a team who supports him through his injury, and Shane’s parents have unhesitatingly accepted him as part of the family. Except his lingering concussion symptoms have kept him sidelined from hockey, his boyfriend is still two hours away, their schedules are a disaster, and Shane’s team is, well…it’s full of assholes. There must be a way to make this all work out. or A sequel to a whump fanfiction with more whump…that is also, secretly, a fix-it.

Psssssst this fic has an eventual relationship reveal and it's *chef's kiss*

I am hoping and praying to every god I can think of that there will be a third fic in this series because I am OBSESSED.

[readingwithriver]

Concussion Protocol by cjr2

Fandom: Heated Rivalry | Pairing: Ilya Rozanov/Shane Hollander | Rating: E

Published: 2025-12-14 | Completed: 2026-01-02 | Words: 49,003 | Chapters: 20/20

Summary:

Instead of Shane, it is Ilya who suffers a concussion during the Boston-Montreal game in April 2017. Dazed and agitated, Ilya briefly starts speaking and responding only in Russian and the medics can’t calm him down. Luckily, Shane started studying Russian after Ilya spoke to him in Russian on the phone from Moscow. For no particular reason. Certainly not because he’s fallen in love with Ilya Rozanov. In Montreal with lingering concussion symptoms, Ilya is advised not to fly home for a few days, and the hospital won’t release him without assurances that he has someone to stay with him until his symptoms improve. Luckily, Shane conveniently has a condo in Montreal no one knows about and a few days before he has to travel again. But Ilya’s symptoms don’t resolve after a few days. Which is okay; Shane can handle it. He can take care of Ilya, study Russian, lead his team into the playoffs, and keep Ilya’s continued presence in Montreal a secret. He can do everything, no problem. He is Shane Hollander after all. or A whump fanfiction that is secretly a fix-it.

This fic is painful and beautiful and heartbreaking and lovely all at the same time--and is the first in a two-part series! When I say that I was feverishly and obsessively checking my email for AO3 update notificatios for this fic as it was being written, I mean I was actually concerned by boss was going to call me out for the amount of time my phone was in my hand when I was supposed to be paying attention in meetings or creating spreadsheets. Love, love, love this fic. LOVE IT.

And if you're worried about the angst level or a not-so-happy-ending? I promise everything will be okay <3

[readingwithriver]

The Trial of Uther Pendragon by HerMajestyofLichtenstein

Fandom: Merlin (BBC) | Pairing: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon | Rated: M

Published: 2025-07-19 | Completed: 2026-01-18 | Words: 100,000 | Chapters:60/60

Summary:

When Morgana invokes a long forgotten spell, the ancient and powerful Court of Magic is summoned to pass judgment on Uther Pendragon and his bloodline for their crimes against the magical world. But for the verdict to be carried out, every seat on the Council must be filled, and the chair of the Dragonlords has long stood empty. Now Merlin faces an impossible choice: side with his people and end Uther’s reign of terror, or save Arthur.

GUYS GUYS GUYS GUYS GUYS!!!!!!!! This might be one of my favorite, if not my absolute favorite, Merthur fic of all time. I am not kidding. It plagues my thoughts with an alarming regularity. I may have created a playlist based on this fic that I listen to almost daily.

Picture this: A magical council called upon to put Uther on trial for crimes against magic. But the verdict is rested upon not only Uther, but ALL WHO SHARE HIS BLOODLINE. Not a spoiler, it's laid out pretty early on in the initial worldbuilding, but the stakes and interpersonal relationship drama is 10/10 from the very beginning. Merlin, obviously, must claim his seat on the council but still tries to hide his identity in the process. Cue a whole lot of drama and pining and angst with an ACCIDENTAL "ARRANGED" MARRIAGE thrown in the mix because why not.

I love this fic. I LOVE IT. I'm about to abandon the reading I have to do for my actual job just to start rereading it again. I'm never breaking free from these arthurian dumbasses.

[readingwithriver]

The Threads Between Us by a_written_simulacra

Fandom: Merlin (BBC) | Pairing: Merlin/Arthur Pendragon | Rated: E

Published: 2024-10-04 | Completed: 2025-10-27 | Words: 105,716 | Chapters: 13/13

Summary:

Morgana ties Arthur's life to Merlin's, thinking that it'll be much easier to kill a helpless servant than the King of Camelot. Aka, Morgana unwittingly binds Arthur's life to the most powerful sorcerer to walk the earth. Aka, not only can they physically not leave each other's sides, but also anything Merlin feels, so does Arthur--and vice versa.

It's a forced proximity Merthur slow(ish) burn with a magic reveal. It's everything I never knew I wanted.

[readingwithriver]

Catalepsis by LostCol

Fandom: Queer As Folk (US) | Pairing: Brian Kinney/Justin Taylor

Rated: E | Published: 2021-01-07 | Completed: 2022-07-04 | Words:82,634 | Chapters:19/19

TW: Medical, Mental Health, Panic Attacks, PTSD, Nightmares

Summary:

What if, a few weeks after Justin left Ethan, Justin had a medical emergency at Babylon and Brian happened to be there?

So this is a first person POV fic which normally, I cannot handle. I am a third person POV or bust kinda reader... most of the time.

This fic takes place in the in-between space in season 3 after Justin and Ethan break up, but before Justin gets the internship at Vanguard and gets back together with Brian.

The tags and content warnings make it sound a lot worse than I thought it was reading it, but they are present so please be mindful.

[readingwithriver]

Kids in the Kitchen by perpetual_j0urney

Rated G | Published: 2017-02-24 | Words: 12,963 | Chapters: 1/1

Summary:

“It’s Alec Lightwood,” He finally said, after another moment of hesitation. Then, both sets of puppy eyes were locked on Magnus once again and waiting for his answer. “No”. More than a few customers turned to look at the outburst as both boys pulled away from Magnus and simultaneously cried, “But Papa!” ------- Magnus Bane liked to believe he was a good father, but there were just some requests that one could not grant their kids. For instance, a good dad wouldn't let their child crawl into a lion's cage to pet the furry kitty. Alternatively, a good dad also wouldn't bring their kids to a cooking class taught by the angriest chef on the Food Network.

Alec Lightwood as Gordon Ramsey? Yes please!

[readingwithriver]

On Tour by CarpeDM

Rated: M | Published: 2015-01-28 | Completed: 2016-08-25 | Words: 215,175 | Chapters: 42/42

TW: Panic attacks and mental health issues

Summary:

Nico, Percy and Jason are in a band that has made it big. As they're touring the New York area, they meet one of their fans. Solangelo band AU.

This is by far one of the best Solangelo AUs I have ever read. By. Far.

Nico is the frontman of Thrice Greek, a ban consisting of himself, Percy and Jason. He and Jason have this on again off again thing going on (not a spoiler, I promise) and Will is a college student who goes to one of their concerts and... well... things happen and he and Nico meet. This fic is everything that happens from then on and it's AMAZING!

There is angst so fair warning. Not, like, completely devastating angst. But enough to where if you're looking for something fluffy, this might not be the best option.

I read it for the first time years ago and it has lived rent-free in my mind for nearly a decade. I shit you not, I think about this fic at least weekly. So I feel like it's time to bring it up and make it y'all's problem again.

Just trust me on this one.