Wins Above Replacement | 9.5K | Ilya tries to take on Shane's tendency to deprive himself by using ancient Chinese military strategy.| No one writes sex-as-character-work as well as mcshrug. What a banger of a story.
the top 1% (of lovers) | 3.5K | “You’ve slept with eight hundred women,” Shane says. He’s a bit pink in the cheeks, but that might just be the arousal. “I did the math."| Hot, funny and in character. Shane!!! Lol.
Tin Roof Rusted by @lavenderprose | 5K| Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander are twenty, on top of the world, and a little irresponsible about it. This is the crash.| I normally don't go for omegaverse fic, but I really like this author and I'm so glad I have this a chance. It has fantastic world-building and it's not afraid to delve into the discrimination and society implications of omegaverse. Interesting OCs too.
if you're scared of wolves by @anotherwordfortrouble |92K | **| My note for this fic is a laconic but hopefully enticing enough 'Best time loop fic ever'. I should probably re-read it. I do I trust my self from 3 weeks ago, when I bookmarked it, though. :D
i looked over it and i ached by @isvsworld | 7.8K | “I don’t really think about stuff like that,” Shane replies in interviews, his lips wooden at the words. OR Shane and being haafu, 2nd gen, and Asian.| Those of you who have enjoyed my themed rec post on Shane's Japanese heritage should run, don't walk, to read this story! Because this explores Shane's heritage and racial identity and without shying away from the complexity of it all, including how it intersects with Ilya's (white, European) immigrant experience.
a pigsty built for two | 9.8K | Shane and Ilya get rid of their housekeepers as part of their plan to keep their relationship secret. Ilya discovers that keeping a house clean is easier said than done.| Funny and in character. I especially love Shane's backstory here. Shows the massive privilege these guys have in a fun way. If I were Ilya I probably wouldn't find this all as funny, tbh, but the characterisation for both of them makes it work for me here.
Performance enhancing strategies by @dubiousculturalartifact | 5.1K | The Shane Hollander Is Fucking Ilya Rozanov and Will Accept No Further Questions, Team Powerpoint Presentation| Shane comes out to the Voyageurs and it all goes well. It involves a PowerPoint, an adorable rookie and a locker-roomful of dumb hockey bros. Sweet and funny. It should have gone this way, damn, Shane totally deserved it.
Small Hours by @lavenderprose | 4.6K | Thoughts on a marriage; or, things that might have happened.| Err, normally I make a note when I bookmark a story, precisely because then it's easier to make a proper rec even weeks after bookmarking ..I didn't this time. And my memory is crap. And now I have no time to re-read but Lavenderprose is a great writer and that shall be enough, as recs go.
A Healthy Dose of Fear | 5.4K | Five times Shane scares the Centaurs, and one time he (accidentally) terrifies them.| A great take on a harder/meaner Shane than usual (especially when Ilya is involved).
symptoms may include pain and difficulty breathing | 2.1K | Ilya is injured but tries not to show it. Shane notices anyway.| Ilya deserves to be taken care of. This was so sweet and hot and in character.
Expert in a Dying Field by @bluegrasshole | 10.3K | Today is Tuesday, but it might as well be Wednesday or Thursday for all it matters. It’s a real Groundhog Day situation, Shane thinks, only Ilya isn’t aware and Shane doesn’t care about breaking the time loop, too content with their life to make any changes.| Future fic. Shane and Ilya are old. They've got...health issues. Amazing Shane POV. This is so heartbreaking and beautifully written. Made me actually cry and I'm not someone easily moved.
beware: walked dog may bite by @ilyaelizabeth | 13.8K | Five times Ilya gets in a fight for Shane, and the one time Shane gets in a fight for Ilya.|Well-written 5+1 story. Great characterisation.
