Heated Rivalry fic recs: “sexy but with emotions” edition
SO much amazing fic has been written in just the past two months — here are some of my favorites!
Hollanov fics, roughly in chronological order
I realized only after collecting this list that basically every fic in this category can be summarized as “sexy / funny / sweet but also really Gets the hollanov emotional dynamic”… ya girl is a slut for correct characterization and couples confronting communication challenges!!
Seven Hours by Car by @technicallyverycowboy, 3k, E, approximately during the episode 4 fuckbuddies montage
Ilya realizes the holidays are so boring if you're spending them alone.
A great depiction of the classic “Ilya initiates something, Shane pretends he’s uncomfortable but is actually super into it” (phone sex version)
coach, I’m threading needles by anonymous, 6k, E, approximately during the episode 4 fuckbuddies montage
Ilya fucks a girl in a Hollander jersey. Word gets back to Shane.
Extremely hot, and a great window into their feelings during episode 4
where the waves meet the shore by toxica939 (@vckaarob on tumblr), 3k, E and Something New by Rizandace, 4k, M
Two codas to episode 6, picking up immediately after Shane and Ilya get back from Shane’s parents’ house. I couldn’t pick which one to recommend because they’re both amazing, so here’s both!
Free Shot by @smugrobotics, 2k, E, at the cottage
Sweet and sexy Hollanov free use. Technically a WIP because there’s a second chapter coming, but the first chapter is a complete story on its own.
Oh babe, I hate to go by destielpasta (@ilyapasta on tumblr), 3k, E, at the cottage
They had two weeks, and those two weeks are finished. Shane drives Ilya from the cottage to the airport.
This feels really true to their characters!
careful all the time by anonymous, 24k, M, the summer of/right after episode 6
An insecure over-thinker and a self-destructive secret-keeper walk into a relationship.
A very realistic depiction of the challenges of turning a decade-long secret situationship into a healthy relationship. Svetlana is wonderful in this fic, I love her intelligence about people and hockey and how she applies that to Ilya and Shane. Longest fic on this list but it’s worth it!
Accounting by theribbonsweregreen (@aslongasitsblack on tumblr), 4k, M, after they become official
Shane and Ilya talk about personal finance, porn and they are in love.
The premise is sexy and the fic is too, but it goes beyond that to explore their relationship as they start trying to build a life together
as high as i might (i can’t get that high) by @residentrookie, 10k, not rated but I’d put it around an M, after Ilya’s move to Ottawa
Shane Hollander accidentally gets very high. That's it, that's the fic.
Another one where the fic fulfills the premise (it’s funny and cute), and also a really lovely exploration of Shane’s insecurities, how he and Ilya feel about each other, and Hayden’s relationship with both of them.
Ring the Bells That Still Can Ring by @toomuchplor, 6k, E, after Ilya’s move to Ottawa
It wasn't any easier the second time Shane got his bell rung. It was actually quite a lot worse.
Featuring this incredible paragraph: “‘I put my fingers lots of places to make you happy,’ said Ilya, which sounded like he was being funny, but was also secretly extremely true. ‘Where else do you want them? I put.’ ‘Put them in the sink with a lot of soap and water,’ Shane directed.”
Philsophe, physician by a_good_soldier (@agoodsoldier on tumblr), 6k, E, spans their whole relationship
I love their dynamic in this, especially the later sections once they’ve settled into a relationship. And the very tender and accurate depiction of how grief can look over the long term made me cry.
Hollanov canon divergence
My issue with canon divergence is that I can’t really imagine the characters making any choices other than the ones they actually made in the show, so AU fics always feel a little bit OOC to me. But if you can get beyond that, here are two amazing fics with incredibly sexy (and emotionally destructive) Shane/Ilya dynamics.
Penalties by @citrusses, 5k, E
Makes me froth at the mouth. Unhappy ending.
But I hate when I feel like this (and I never hated you) by SatsumaSegments, 6k, E, right before the club scene
The dynamic between Shane and Ilya is incredibly well written!
bonus recs (not primarily Hollanov-focused)
the creature by a_good_soldier (@agoodsoldier on tumblr), 2k, T
Scott Hunter at the MLH awards
There are so many great fics showing different version of Scott and Ilya’s conversation at the MLH awards, but this is one of my favorites. I love the window it gives into Scott and homophobia in hockey, plus the interaction between Scott and Ilya is great.
jackie & lily world domination by goldengalaxies, 4k, not rated
spreading the jackie & ilya bestie gospel!
A fic told only through text threads, starting when Jackie Pike decides to befriend Lily. I love stories told only through texts / tweets / etc and I love Jackie Pike, so I loved this fic!
gummygunk
dailybridgerton
vaporwave
titsay
annaxmalina
kaledo-art
stormborns
