Dear friend,
It is an October unlike any other: with summer & fall seeming to be in a standoff, it seems everyone—everything —is holding its breath. The year is dragging its feet, perhaps hoping that, if it waits long enough, something good will finally happen.
(Not very optimistic, I know. But in 2026, the cost of optimism seems to be a very sacred part of my insanity, one which I refuse to give up on.)
This is not to say the month hasn’t been good — I recently discovered that Chrome cannot compute total tabs beyond a certain number, & simply expresses tab number as :D. It is an especially joyous discovery for my fanfiction-loving, website-hoarding self. Personally, methinks it looks adorable. — Prithiva
second-chance fics
This year has been beautiful for my shipper heart — I discovered the Immortal Husbands & Hollanov, witnessed a Malec reunion (of sorts!), will be seeing Firstprince soon in Red, White & Royal Wedding and will see Stevebucky on screen soon too (it will wreck me).
In honour of all these reunions & discoveries, here are some of my favourite second-chance fics. —Prithiva
Home Is Wherever I’m With You by CrownedInLove [175k+, complete] Fandom: Red White & Royal Blue – Casey McQuiston. Ship: Alex Claremont-Diaz/Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor.
Summary: Six months ago, Alex broke Henry’s heart silently, permanently, or so he thought. Now Henry’s back in New York for one week. Just one. A training rotation. A hospital wing. A life he almost had. He isn’t supposed to wander. He isn’t supposed to find the oncology floor. He isn’t supposed to find Alex thin, pale, sleeping in a bed with a wristband and a diagnosis no one deserves. But he does. And everything changes. Now Henry is no longer the doctor. He’s the man who never stopped loving him. And Alex (the man who tried to let him go) is still wearing the scars of that choice. This is not a story of endings. It’s a story of staying. Of softness. Of sleeping beside the person who still calls you *baby* even when they’re too weak to open their eyes. Of whispered I love yous and second chances. Of fighting like hell to come home. Because Henry Fox was always his. And Alex? He was always, always Henry’s. “You’re still mine,” *Henry whispered. “Even after everything?” “Especially after everything.”
Reason for rec: Second chance is a precious trope for me, and this one is done beautifully. I appreciate the realistic worldbuilding balanced with all the emotions one could feel.
This Is Our (Asgardian) Get-Along Shirt by Illyah [12k+, complete] Fandom: Captain America. Ship: James “Bucky” Barnes/Steve Rogers.
Summary: To say that things at the Avengers complex were tense when the Asgardians arrived would have been the understatement of the century. The Avengers had finally found their way back to each other only to feel more divided than ever. Tony and Bucky barely spoke two words to each other, preferring to glare silently and hatefully across the living room. Thanos was coming in six months and Loki absolutely did not have time for this shit. The Winter Soldier “mysteriously” gets de-aged, and Bucky Barnes works through some shit. So do his friends.
Reason for rec: Second chance is ofcourse a cornerstone of Stevebucky, so the recommendations can be endless. This fic reflects a new beginning for the Avengers Family (I love the found family trope!) The Avengers-as-family fics are so important, and this is a beautiful one depicting how the dynamic between Tony & Bucky could have been handled. Add a chaotic Loki & little Bucky Barnes and I’m sold.
(End Racism in the OTW) New Starts by aurora_chiroptera [102k+, complete] Fandom: Shadowhunters. Ship: Magnus Bane/Alec Lightwood.
Summary: Even with the Institutes closed following the Revised Accords 15 years ago, Magnus still found he had to deal with the Clave more than he liked. But when Alexander Lightwood shows up at his door in need of a place to lay low and work on starting a new life, he finds little reason to say no. In a world where the Downworld rebelled and won, Magnus is High Warlock of NYC and Alec was his contact within Idris to smuggle out captured downworlders. But when Alec needs to flee the Clave, Magnus finds himself with three unexpected roommates. Luckily, the kids seem to get along.
Reason for rec: Not a second-chance fic in the traditional sense for Malec, but a second-chance fic for Alec Lightwood. A really good introspection on racism in the Shadow World and what it costs to go against your upbringing, rebuild your life & find love along the way (even if that was not the plan).
Kintsugi by Captain_Lilja [21k+, complete] Fandom: The Old Guard (Movie 2020). Ship: Joe | Yusuf Al-Kaysani/Nicky | Nicolò di Genova.
Summary: The first thing he noticed was the cutest small child he may have ever seen in his life. Light brown skin, chubby little cheeks, big brown eyes, and a head full of rebellious dark curls. The second thing Nicky saw was that the boy’s father (there was no doubt of the relation) was among the most handsome men he had seen in his life… The man was an alpha, there was no doubt about that, but he smelled of fresh apples and vanilla, reminding Nicky of making pies in his grandmother’s kitchen. As an omega, Nicky had certainly been around his share of alphas, but he couldn’t remember if any of them had ever smelled so good. Normally their scents were just too strong and unappealing, but this man smelled amazing.
Reason for rec: I had to include an A/B/O fic in here. The fic navigates the gender nuances in the A/B/O ‘verse with a lot of consideration & gentleness, and delves thoughtfully into what makes a family.
mixed bag
With the exam season niping at my heels, I will be reading lots (& lots & lots & lots) of fics. At present, mostly, still, Hollanov; some, et cetera. Here are some bites for you. —Anushka
so you must like me for me by alasse [36k+, complete] Fandom: Heated Rivalry. Ship: Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov.
Summary: Shane wants to figure out if he’s gay before he gets drafted—and no, the way he felt when Ilya Rozanov smirked at him with a cigarette between his lips in Saskatchewan has nothing to do with it. Unfortunately, the random guy he hooks up with to try and make sure one way or another takes a picture, and Shane gets outed before the draft. In the ensuing scandal, he goes seventh overall, to Ottawa. It turns out, having the worst thing you can think of happen to you when you’re seventeen years old can end up being pretty liberating. And land you an unexpected best friend.
Reason for rec: A very tender look at Ilya/Shane’s relationship under this what-if premise. Shane is a little braver, Ilya is a little softer, & some of the angst has blurrier, less searing edges. Fluff 10/10.
From His Lips to God’s Ears by Goodnightsammy [17k+, complete] Fandom: Heated Rivalry. Ship: Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov.
Summary: Instead of just hooking up at the CCM shoot, Shane and Ilya start a serious relationship the summer before their rookie season. They are not public about their relationship, but Ilya sees no reason to lie when people ask him what he thinks of his biggest rival. Maybe it’s the Russian accent, though, because for some reason, everyone thinks he’s joking.
Reason for rec: Another what-if Ilya & Shane were friends since day 1 fic. Ilya is characteristically flagrant, Shane is dazzling & sweet in turns. The fans & the rest of the league is very, very confused.
the accidental spy by inarosaurus [2k+, complete] Fandom: Heated Rivalry. Ship: Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov.
Summary: Nick Chouinard is half-Russian and hears many things he never wanted to hear.
Reason for rec: I’m a big sucker for language-inspired mishaps!
good on my own accord by impetuous [148k+, complete] Fandom: Heated Rivalry. Ship: Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov.
Summary: Shane is a goalie. Ilya can’t score.
Reason for rec: An excellent character study of Shane, & very enjoyable Original Characters.
Ilya Rozanov Takes Over the NBA by mariku [29k+, embedded images, wip] Fandom: Heated Rivalry. Ship: Shane Hollander/Ilya Rozanov.
Summary: Ilya Rozanov got the guy, the team, and now he has to navigate life as a player for the iconic New York Knicks. Or, the social media aspect of the NBA AU. <3
Reason for rec: The third part of a series, I stumbled across this fic on Twitter, as one of its in-universe tweets went viral. I’m yet to read the first two parts but even without that context, the fic is utterly delicious. Like, I’m obsessed. Its commentary on stan culture, & how parasocial relationships can often cross the line into creepiness & borderline harassment is well done. The characters & dynamics are well fleshed-out, & the background threads are keeping me very hooked.
Home Isn’t a Place by inkandbadchoices [49k+, wip] Fandom: Supernatural. Ship: Castiel/Dean Winchester.
Summary: Alpha Dean decides the new omega goalie is going to be his friend. Castiel has absolutely no idea what to do about that.
Reason for rec: The story has just started opening up! A lot of the threads are becoming visible, & Cas & Dean’s relationship is gaining steam. I’m really enjoying both of their characterisations: it’s only throwing light on how both of them share a lot of the same traits (strategic brilliance, attention to detail, acts of service etc.). A very good time to jump in! Plus, more ice hockey!
fangirl by rainbow rowell
I recently read Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl, & was fascinated by how it plays with the relationship between fanfiction & “real” life. Usually, fanfiction draws from lived experience; here, it felt as though real life was rising out of the fics & Simon Snow texts instead. I loved the little notes before each chapter, hinting at the story to come, & was intrigued by how the initial stories were a collaboration between the twins before Cath continued writing alone. I disliked Cath for the first thirty-odd pages, but she eventually grew on me. The Star Wars dedication, the Harry Potter-esque canon of the Simon Snow books (albeit nostalgic yet quite tasteless now), & the Supernatural-referencing “fic” names—the actual books that Rowell later wrote in, & about, the Simon Snow universe—were delightful. What interested me most was exactly this recursive nature of it all: Cath writes fanfiction based on a fictional canon, & Rowell, having created Cath & her world, goes on to write Carry On, drawing on Simon Snow, elements of Fangirl, & her own interpretations, additions, & transformations, all of which are hers & yet not quite hers. The book, therefore, problematises the perennial premise of “canon”, what it holds, & what all it’s truly capable of holding. A very fun & interesting read. —Anushka
closing thoughts
Happy reading, & wishing you a very spooky & safe Hallow-ctober!
Yours,
Anushka & Prithiva
In the TINY LETTERS, we cut down the fabled gods of objectivity. Here, there’s no rationality; only the rhythm of the music, & the body in motion. We would love to dance with you.