I’m randomly into fics that involve Ilya having erectile dysfunction (usually as side effects for antidepressants)…walk with me for a second 🚶🏻♀️
I think that seeing the Ilya Rosanov, who is usually looked at as a romance/sex machine, lose that part of himself (even if it’s temporary) really delves into who he is and how he views himself as a person.
Ilya feels desired and wanted during sex, especially since he is so good at it. He can get any person he wanted and everyone knows it — like in hockey, he has this self-assured (teetering on arrogant) essence around his performance.
During sex with Shane, he likes to take control and take care of Shane. When the element of sex is taken away, the fear or what he can bring to the relationship, his worth (we all know his dad plummeted his self-esteem from a young age), and his abandonment issues all arise.
Their relationship started off sexual and “casual” (yeah ok…), so ofc Ilya would worry about this — his sexual performance feels like a huge foundation for their relationship. Ilya doesn’t have a problem sexually connecting to people… but emotionally….that’s way more complicated (not to remind everyone of tuna-melt gate🥲).
Ofc, Shane loveeeessss having sex with his man, but that’s not the only reason he loves Ilya. Seeing Shane care for Ilya, reassure him, and even find ways to explore sex/intimacy without Ilya necessarily giving is truly near and dear to my heart ❤️🩹
I also just think exploring what it’s like to deal with mental health issues in a relationship or what it’s like to be a partner of someone in this situation is really important so hear about/see♥️
Some recs (TW: mentions of depression, mental health struggles, suicide, etc.) —add more in the comments if you know of any 🫶🏻
First of all, everyone say a BIG thank you to @collie-parkers-carbine for putting this whole thing together. This was a magnificent way to celebrate the Black characters of the TLW universe. I really look forward to more events like this one!
Secondly, this list is just the opinion of one lil lesbian in this community. This is by no means an end all be all; there were so many meaningful fics as part of this event but I can't fit them all in one post! The collection I've put together are ones that either made me really feel something, or ones that spoke to me personally. A massive thank you to everyone who participated in this event - fic writers are truly the backbone of any fandom, and your work does not go unnoticed!
can you see the stars? by emialex (1.7k words)
Art Baker loves the stars, and wants to go to the moon someday. Wishing on a star…
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This one hurts! But it's also so beautiful. The part that really got me is the idea that there were things left unsaid between Art and his grandmother, the person he loved the most. My chest feels achey but this was exceptional.
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Virgo by Lolo (The LittleLo) (1.2k words)
Art Baker contemplates the stars while on the Long Walk
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I love astrology and mythology and this felt like a really great way to bring in the idea of Clementine.
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Not a shirt on his back, not a penny to his name, Lord he can't go back home this way by Get_below_my_line_of_vision (4.6k words)
Before he had departed for the last time, Art had actually tuned into the radio. As always, he put the volume on low and tried to listen out for news from Algeria.
As Art listened to the low volume rumbles of the broadcast, Art had thought about how chaos had unleashed throughout the globe. The people came together to fight the oppressors, and with respectable fervour, they fought for independence and freedom.
But America was untouched. This closed-off country never bore that kind of chaos. The fires of revolution could spread everywhere but not here.
If Algeria was to win, they had a chance, too. ‘Win,’ Art wished, ‘Win, so I can have hope.’
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I cannot begin to describe the impact that Frantz Fanon has had on me personally, and to have a TLW fic reference his work so clearly truly means the world to me. If you have never heard of Fanon, I would HIGHLY encourage you to look him up. Black Skin, White Masks and Wretched of the Earth are pivotal decolonial texts. I remember the first time I read Wretched of the Earth; it felt like I had opened my eyes for the first time. Sorry, I'm realizing now that I'm talking about Fanon instead of the fic lol. Point is, this is great, I feel inspired, one of my new favorites for sure.
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Interstellar Academy Interstitial Moments by Ursa_Minor_Is_In_Love (series)
So this series takes place at Interstellar Academy, a military space training camp. I'll be completely honest, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this series when I first encountered it. It seemed like an interesting concept but I wasn't sure if the freeform vibes of this would appeal to me. But I ended up enjoying it, and I'm really excited to see how the author continues it! My favorite fics in this series are Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child (Nina Simone I love you and of COURSE Tressler would be a fan), Wish I May, Wish I Might (Pete I love you), and Blessed Be The Mystery of Love (gayyyyy).
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know just what to say by kopycat_101 (2.2k words)
Pete was struggling with making friends in college, despite the encouragements from his best friend and roommate, Priscilla.
He tried to put himself out there. Made a few friends. But maybe he could find one from his Music classes, too?
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This is another one where I wasn't 100% sold on this pair when I first heard about it. I think I feel a bit haunted by Tressler's death in the movie - the way he just runs off plagues my memory fr. However, I was once again proved wrong, because this description of Tressler is one of my faves. I definitely think that Pete is the kind of guy who could fall in love with someone's voice first, and everything else would follow. Also: LOVED Priscilla and Pete's relationship here, it was so cute.
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Dandelion Wishes by brashtea (931 words)
"Reckon we can make some wishes on those,” He nodded, watching Ray follow the direction of his pointing finger.
As a kid, he loved to gather the seed heads, letting them scatter on the wind with an exhale and a wish. Even if it was all pretend for his childish self, his current self could use the softness of an old habit such as this. Something fun to spread to his fellow walkers.
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Ahhhhh this was so cute! As someone with the personality of a grumpy old man, I sometimes have a hard time appreciating whimsy. Despite my crotchety ways, I still really enjoyed this fic.
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love me long, be my sunlight by kopycat_101 (4.5k words)
Pete has a lot of love to give, especially for his boyfriend.
One night after working out, Ray shows him just how much love he's willing to give Pete in return.
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Oh, you thought smut written by Kopy WOULDN'T make it onto this list? You FOOL: Kopy is truly my favorite smut writer in this fandom. And this one was more than just smut, it had me genuinely laughing out loud. Favorite.
New game: tell me your current favorite fic of yours, and why you love it so much.
Bonus fake internet points that aren't worth anything if you drop this in other people's inboxes too.
@theresthesnitch and @brandileigh2003 I will answer you both together <3
So, as I already recc'd Heather, I figured I would do a Bagginshield one this time.
It is this fic at the moment
A Pasture Too Small for A Bovine’s World so Large
Thorin and the dwarves are Bison and Bilbo and the hobbits are Highland cattle.
I have started writing animal Au's and im enjoying them so much. Its noce to write something a little out there that still works.
Breaking your heart when you learn that ocws can cry whe they are sad is a whole other ballgame, but htere you go.
I think my favorite thing of yours is still probaby Out is Through BUT you have so many good stories! I have read the one with the fan-motor-drill many times. Lately I've been really enjoying Foster Mac.
😊 Thank you so much! Out is Through is one of my favorites too, and I will finish the sequel this year. I'm proclaiming it and now it must be so.
I have so many ideas for Foster Mac. I just have to actually get them written down. Mac and Riley growing up in the same house, getting into shenanigans, it's going to be great.
And the fan-motor-drill story is one that I'm very proud of because it's really the only one where I figured out a true MacGyver-ism. I researched the heck out of that fan motor and how they could make a drill bit. I like how it all turned out.
so apparently inspiration strikes when I need to be focusing on writing for school rather than fun…
something very smutty is coming soon. here’s a NSFW, 18+!!!! sneak peek:
Just as you settled in for the ride, looking at the lights twinkling all around you you felt it. Sitting up straight, you looked over to him, seeing his one hand on the wheel, the other on his leg, where you could just make out the screen of the app controlling the toy still nestled in your cunt. Your legs pressed together, hands gripping the soft leather of the seat as he increased the intensity, quickly reaching the level that had you making a scene at dinner. “Oh,” you moaned as he put the level up even higher, your hips jutting backwards.
“Everything alright darling?” He called over the sound of the motor and the waves, his eyes glinting in the moonlight.
“I’m-“ you sucked in a sharp breath as he increased the intensity a little more before switching to the pulse function. “I’m f-fuck,” your back hit the seat behind you, the words on your tongue quickly slipping away. “Fuck,” your chest was heaving, as you suddenly felt too warm in the cool night air.
Sorry for a day late with the shout out, been a bit of a down weekend but lets lighten the mood with a shout out!
This weeks Saturday shout out I want to dedicate to @obsidiangst. I sent this wonderful author an ask a week or so ago about a fic of theirs I was rereading and I was blown away by the response.
Going to put my shout out below the cut just to avoid any spoilers for their work, and so people can avoid my rambling if they so choose.
You said you had felt ‘bleh’ about your writing and I just want to say: please don’t! You’re writing is *chefs kiss* and so versatile! The creativity in your Whumptober pieces and the range of topics you navigate so well is nothing short of inspirational.
I have no idea why I only started reading Collision Course recently but it has certainly made my subscribe list on AO3. I must say though, my favourite so far is The Hands Life Dealt 🤩. This is the fic I never knew I needed in my life, and the world you have created in this fic now lives in my brain rent free (as you can probably tell from the ask!). Some of the themes you explore I thought I might need to skip past (Zelda’s ex) but the way your wrote it was, in my opinion, very well handled. The latest chapter was such a delicate balance between sexy and sad which you navigate so well, and I just adore how understanding and patient you have wrote Link in this fic (thats without mentioning the rest of his 'attributes' 😉)
Your talents as an author are very inspiring to me, and I hope you don’t mind my shout out. I will link your AO3 below but please do let me know if you would rather I didn’t.
Check out Obsidiangst work here.
Keep up the good writing please as I will certainly keep reading. Keep being awesome and keep being you! 😁
hello lovely people! today is the day i turned 19 and to celebrate, i want to provide you with some stories that have made me a little happier in these tough times. i know it's not ideal, i know it's hard on us but we will get through this. things in my personal life have been busy and difficult to accept, but these works at least gave me some peace of mind and a happy heart. don't forget to give the authors your love. <3 happy 29th of oct everyone!!
(p.s. there is gonna be a lot of taekook in here, also because the in bloom fest ended and i want to include some of my faves of this season :)
ღ and when I'm with you I turn all shades of pink by tkfics {T, taekook, 118,7k}
[i just love how taehyung and jeongguk understand each other, how taehyung believes in jeongguk and how jeongguk lets him. i just love love love them *squeals*. ah and this is a witch fic with very human witches!!]
ღ One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer by zerorequiem {E, taekook, 83,3k}
[they almost made me cry in this, the way this story is told is so powerful and beautiful. to be honest, i did not expect this fic to be my cup of tea but it was and i'm so happy about it!!! not necessarily a "happy" fic, but i really appreciated the vibes, it felt nostalgic, sad and hopeful at the same time.]
ღ this is my heart (dive deep) by serenitaes {M, taekook, 80,6k}
[no this seriously made my heart smile i love this so much!!! tae is a single father and a lawyer, and jeongguk is a chef. this story is just *chef's kiss* (ha see what i did there). just read this when you want to get away from your thoughts for a while, it won't disappoint you.]
ღ let's talk about fate, baby by taecheeks {M, taekook, 61,2k}
[this had me feeling so freaking soft, it's a parallel universe au and it's even better if you've read other works of taecheecks because you'll recognize the aus. definitely had a blast reading this]
ღ apple and cinnamon by namakemono {E, jikook, 40,1k}
[i love the progress guk makes throughout this fic, he comes to accept himself the way he is and that is beautiful. also, i like the way the story flows, how it starts and how it ends and what happens in between. just wanna give them both a big hug]
ღ sweet night by thestarsabove {M, taekook, 15,2k}
[they are definitely the sweetest, this fic made my heart go boomboom. also by one of my favourite authors, definitely recommend this!!!]
ღ rid me of this meddlesome fate by chaoticmusings {T, yoonmin, 11,9k}
[last but not least, this fic made me fall in love with gods aus, it's really great!!]
well, that was it. i hope you like it! stay safe and healthy and we'll talk soon. see you <3
