#please>..chat....read comments kudos and subs...........

I am once again pitching peak to chat

I'm back with five more fics because there's just too many good ones to be quiet about it. If you read any of these fics because of this list please leave a comment for the author.

four steps to death by @agoodsoldier; 5k; Rated T; Alexei dies at 37 and Ilya goes home for the funeral

Are you a sucker for Ilya being sad? Do you wish that the show and the books explored his backstory more and the complicated relationship he has with his family and homeland? Do you just love it when he smokes a cigarette and feels bad about it? This is the fic for you, and for me, because I love all of those things. This fic is visceral, and hones in on Ilya's relationship with obligation and masculinity. The way Ilya still separates this part of his life from Shane for so many reasons, and we see his instinct to shut down and distance himself come roaring back, but he also resists it, showing how he has grown as a character since the last time he went to Russia. Highly recommend this one! This author is amazing, and has some very popular fics in the fandom so you've probably read their work before, so just dive in!

In Good Company by FlameHazel18 @you-needajelloshot; 3k; Rated T; Missing scenes from The Long Game; Multi-Media fic

Texting and social media fic! I admit, before Heated Rivalry this was not a genre I ever really interacted with, but because of the use of social media and texting in the show it just really fits with the vibe. This is unbelievably sweet, set in the moments after Ilya and Shane are outed in The Long Game, with group chats of the Centaurs rallying behind them to show them support along with other players in the league. I'm a lover of angst, but sometimes you just need to be injected with good feelings and optimism and this is perfect for that. And I think it's even harder to make genuine emotional moments out of positivity, so kudos to this author. Every character has their dynamic voice in the texts and it integrates all the faves so well and really makes me love even more that Shane and Ilya both end up in such a positive place by the end of the story.

berlin pond by toyourdetriment @yiiiiiiiikes25; 6k WIP (kind of?); Rated E; collection of one shots that explore intimacy, mostly taking place in the last Boston/Montreal year before Ottawa

One of my favorite things about fan fiction is when it can take the time to explore things that traditional media has no place for. Being a commercial show catering to a wide audience, HR is never going to be able to give us like indie movie slice of life scenes at length (it does a pretty good job getting close though). This fic, labeled as writing exercises for the author, has such a feeling of literary spontaneity. In chapter 1, Ilya and Shane meet up at this janky little cabin halfway between them just to be able to see each other for a bit, and you can feel how hard it is for them to be apart even its not explicitly said. Each chapter has its own distinct vibe, and cover the intricacies of intimacy and longing in the way good fic does so well.

Hugging the Turns by mtothedestiel @summerscottkip; 15k (WIP, soon to be finished, might be finished by the time this is posted); Rated E; Alpha/Omega, multiship

I'm not usually one for a ton of Alpha/Omega but this author is a master at it, and all the little details that make it such a fun sub-genre. To summarize: it takes place in the dubious time between the 2017 Tampa All-Star game and when Scott kisses Kip after winning the cup. Scott is on his way to his room in a heat hotel to be with Kip, and who does he run into but Shane Hollander, omega captain of the Montreal Metros, who appears to be meeting up with an alpha with whom he is about to share his heat. They get stuck in an elevator together when the power goes out, and conversations and feelings ensue. Don't get nervous, this is a Scott/Kip and Shane/Ilya fic, and it's more about how Scott and Shane share their fears and learn to relate to each other on a different level. The POVs shift around so you get Scott, Shane, Ilya stuck in traffic on his way, Kip waiting in the room for Scott, and everyone is trying to remain calm and in charge of their spiraling instincts. I'm obsessed with how each character has a specific relationship to their secondary gender, and how it relates to where these characters are in canon. Ilya in particular really shines as an alpha who is ready to share Shane's heat for the first time, and is taking the responsibility seriously even as their feelings are growing and changing at this time in canon. But every POV is interesting! Even if you usually don't do Alpha/Omega you should go for it because this author really approaches it with so much intelligence and nuance (and it's hot, so...).

Pale Imitations by theribbonsweregreen @aslongasitsblack; 2.5k; Rated M; post-cottage, Ilya is trying to quit smoking for good

ohhhhhh STYLINSHAW YES okay wheeee thank you!!! i’m excited to share my favs with you!!

The "A" in "Normal" by Yesitstyles - i originally read this fic for the asexuality aspect of it and it was only the second stylinshaw fic i’ve ever read and omg i love it so much. it’s such a great fic for the ace and aro chat and discussion and representation, but also the STYLINSHAW ASPECT IS JUST SO GREAT like i cannot even... it’s just so great. i love it very much a lot.

You're a Rabbit, Louis series by @magicalrocketships / sunsetmog - oh my worddddd listen. sunsetmog is amazing with every single one of their fics, but this one is one i think of often. it’s so crack fic-y but also is so pure? lol maybe pure is the wrong word with the second fic too, but it’s just so great and the dynamic is brilliantly written. it’s amazing and incredible and i love it very much a lot.

Perfect Sky by twoshipsdrifting - i was whining to @londonfoginacup one day about how i needed more stylinshaw in my life and she was like “have you read the really sad sub pair fic?” i had NOT and was defo up for some angst, so i said send it my way. harry and louis are a sub pair and nick is their dom and so many mistakes are made and misunderstandings and it is so sad but the hurt/comfort is glorious and wonderful. so if you are up for hurting a little bit, this is a fab read lol

Orion's Belt by @londonfoginacup / LadyLondonderry - a/b/o stylinshaw!!! soulmates!!! harry learning he has VERY WELL KNOWN older soulmates! alpha louis, beta nick, omega harry. oh gosh oh gosh this fic is legit one of my favorite of all of emmu’s fics, and that’s saying a lot because i love her fics. the established tomlinshaw, trying to find the right fit for harry with them, insecurity on all of their parts about themselves??? I LOVE IT SO MUCH OKAY

old haunts are for forgotten ghosts by @fortymaliks / fortymaliks - this was actually the very first stylinshaw fic i ever read lol i still didn’t completely understand ao3 and tags and had no idea what i was getting into but it was WONDERFUL. amnesia! at the time it was also a future fic? somewhat canon compliant (turned out to be far more canon compliant than we ever could have known lol 2016 meaning the band was on hiatus and nick still doing the breakfast show? wild!), but louis wakes up and doesn’t remember nick becoming a part of their relationship and OHHHH THE ANGST THE PAIN!!! i love the way they work through it all. so wonderful.

Trinity's Fate by anonymous - i feel fairly certain when i first read this fic it wasn’t on anonymous, but that’s okay lol i hope the author knows how much i adore the fic anyway. this one is another soulmates fic! but it’s got another twist to it other than just polyamory haha it’s dom/sub soulmates. at 16 you learn if you’re a dom or a sub and then at 18 you learn who your soulmate is. louis is a sub and has been dreading learning who his dom is only to learn he has two, and they’re the fairly well known radio 1 djs harry and nick. EEEEEEE i love the world building and it’s just such a fascinating story altogether. so so so amazing.

so these are my fav fics i’ve read, but hopefully you don’t mind me also reccing the two stylinshaw fics i’ve written (so far... another is coming with the omega harry exchange hehe):

The Only Thing That Keeps Me Grounded - this is one of my favorite fics i’ve ever written ever. established tomlinshaw, nanny harry meets them and falls for both over time. it’s a bit of a sexuality crisis and dealing with that as well as navigating everything, and i love it so very much a lot. i hope you give it a try and like it too.

Loving You's the Antidote - this one i wrote for the @finelineficfest and is based off of golden! established gryles, omega harry has a medical condition that is dangerous and needs to have regular touch from an alpha, which is unfortunate since his mate is a beta. enter alpha louis. :D i loved writing this fic  too, the characters are all so dear to me hehe i hope you like them too!

9. Tag 3 fic writers you think are underrated/unknown in the fandom/fanfiction community.

Ooh this is a hard one, because how do I keep my love to just 3 writers? I’m going to cheat and do two sets one with new writers that I’ve discovered and have enjoyed chatting with and feel like everyone should be reading (and maybe you guys already are!) And a second set with more established writers that should have 100 plus comments on their stories.

1. @adiwriting - I have her longer stories bookmarked to read, but I have really enjoyed her shorter works. I think the first one that caught my eye as something special was Navigate the Stars which had a very good push-and-pull conversation between Alex and Michael, and an interesting insight into Alex being allowed to be an impatient asshole sometimes (which I think is in character as a control freak, haha)  I really really love the softness of “Sunday Mornings” series too.

2. @jule1122 - I kinda have to thank @jocarthage for putting this writer on my radar after she wrote a sequel/tribute to one of Jessi’s stories. I have her subbed, I just love how she writes Malex with such genuine love and respect for each other. I’m very weak for secret marriage stories, so “You ask me to enter then you made me crawl” was like catnip to me (plus that lyric from U2′s “One” is my favorite) .

3. @wle0416 - This is a recent follow and discovery- thank you malex week for the deluge of good fics. I have been craving soft, established relationship malex with that tender nugget center of vulnerability, and this writer has been delivering it.  I absolutely loved the recent one “Spaghetti Dinner Night” where Alex invites Kyle over for a little good comfort food, putting a window into his relationship with Michael. It was so sweet and like, couple goals.

Now onto more established writers who I think should be hitting the 200 kudo mark easily with every story-

1. @foramomentonly - I mean, if you’re not crying into your coffee over her latest, get thee over to AO3 and read it. It’s chef’s kiss perfect. Obviously, we’re all loving the Fashion AU.

2. @christchex -  Finding good, solid in character Michael that speaks directly to my soul is like my jam. And her latest 1 few drinks and a little conversation should have 400 kudos it’s so perfect for post-season 2 and Michael needing friends!

3. @el-gilliath - so I’m totally biased here, but Tove wrote me a birthday fic and I just absolutely loved it because it had presumed dead, soulbond, fix it for 2x13 with all the feels. So the way you make me feel feels underrated as does her vampire AU which is top-tier in sexiness and malex goodness.

23. What’s your absolute favorite trope to write?

Communication issues related to not-actually-unrequited pining,  the way where you’re self-loathing and believe the other person can’t possibly love you like you love them but they do. Hmm. Perfect for RNM.

34. How much of yourself and your life experiences do you put into your writing? What do you think your readers’ image of you is?

I’m going to start Weekly Fic Rec posts, as I read so much Larry fic on AO3 and I want to share the amazing works I read. I realise no-one will probably read these posts, but I hope if you do, you enjoy the fics as much as I did! Please reblog to share the word :) More next Sunday.

Please leave kudos and comments for the authors, it’s such a buzz to receive both :)

Fading by tothemoonmydear - (211k) - eating disorder, fashion au Louis knows about beauty; the combination of qualities that pleases the aesthetic senses. He creates that combination every day in the garments he designs while studying fashion at uni. The cut of the design, the color of the fabric, the intricacy of the stitching; it all comes together to create something beautiful. When the science student with the long legs and dimpled smile agrees to model for him, Louis decides he’s found beauty personified. Harry just thinks Louis needs someone to show him how beautiful he is.

Purer Than The Water (like we were) by FeelsForBreakfast (33k) - mermaid au Louis is a merman and Harry is a boy. The lake is a good place to fall in love.

"Louis wants the boy to wade deeper, deep enough that Louis can go under and wrap his fingers around his ankles for just a moment. Pull him under. Just touch skin, for a second."

Reduce Me To A Pleading Cry (Break the Skin and Tantalise) by @taggiecb (37k) dom/sub au As the CEO of Styles & Styles, Harry Styles cuts a brooding and handsome figure at the helm of a very successful business. His reputation for intensity is well known, but you would be intense, too, if you had to work numbers all day, give countless orders, and conduct endless meetings. When all you really want to do at night--ache to do--is give away the reins, let someone else make the decisions, be ordered around for once, just--let go. Harry has reached his breaking point when one touch from a man whose very stance commands attention leads him back to a place he thought he’d never return.

Or Harry is a broody submissive boss, Louis is a natural dom who works in the mail room at Styles & Styles, Niall is a matchmaking oracle, and a slender, dark haired man stands mute at the coffee stand encouraging others to spill their secrets.

A Perfect Reason by anon (29k) Mpreg/Royal au (For @hlmpregficexchange) During a visit to a charity he'd like to support, Prince Louis--next in line to the throne of the United Kingdom--meets Harry, the man of his dreams. Trouble is, Louis is not out, and the law says his heirs can only be born of a woman. Louis is determined not to let that stop his pursuit of Harry. His determination doubles when Harry accidentally becomes pregnant. He and Harry will have their little family--and change the monarchy while they're at it.

Salt and the Appetite by @sadaveniren (14k) Dom/sub au (for @hlbdsmexchange) No Control is a No From Me By Harry Styles

I know this is probably a controversial opinion and review because I have only heard great things from people going to No Control before but I cannot recommend it to anyone. While the facility is nice, the people who work there do not seem to care for their clients well being, and I do not feel safe going there in any capacity. I suppose when I want to play next I will have to travel back down to London, or maybe, unfortunately, Liverpool. If I must.

Aka Harry, a popular BDSM blogger, writes a negative review about Louis’ club. Louis wants to have a chance to make it up to him.

Have A Little Faith In Me by Fallinglikethis (15k) Religious Au, punk Louis Harry Styles remembers Louis Tomlinson fondly. They used to spend the summers bonding at Bible Camp, helping each other memorize bible verses for their weekly challenge against the boys in the other cabins, and chatting into the early hours of morning when they were supposed to be sleeping. They had been so close back then. Harry was heartbroken when Louis hadn’t been there last summer. He’d heard rumors, vague comments about how Louis had changed but he didn’t believe them. He couldn’t. Because the other boys, the ones from Louis’ home town, were saying that he’d started getting piercings and tattoos, that he’d come out as gay, and that he’d turned his back on God.

Harry had thought he’d never find it in himself to believe them but the image before his eyes has him suddenly questioning everything.

Skin New, Hands True, My Hands All Over You by pearlydewdrops (44k) Baker Harry, friends to lovers Harry designs wedding cakes, so of course meeting blissfully happy couples every day is part of his job description. Unfortunately, it's caused Harry to perpetually hope each new day is the one he'll find love, too. That is, until Harry realises everything he's ever wanted is right under his nose in the shape of his best friend, Louis.

But predictably, Harry only comes to this epiphany when Louis starts seeing someone else. And this is not a John Hughes movie as far as Harry is aware. Everyone else is pretty sure, though.

Featuring a heavy dose of pining, copious amounts of alcohol, drunk dialling that results in a situation reminiscent of Rachel Green's, a ginger cat that likes to interrupt intimate moments, and a Halloween party that changes everything.