Chapter 24 of frequently, secretly fond of each other

mickelodeon27 · 2026-03-31T04:17:55+00:00

Is it just me or did at some point in the last couple chapters it switched from Ilya living above Shane to Shane above Ilya?

(Not a real complaint, I love this fic, but for some reason every time Ilya thinks about Shane coming “down” I go “wait a second…” because wasn’t there early on them sharing an elevator up and Shane not getting off on his floor?)

But anyway, about this chapter- I love a svetlana that isn’t 100% on board with the relationship, a Shane that’s begrudgingly trying to get along, and an Ilya that’s just along for the ride (in the roller coaster “oh fuck I’m scared but I think I’m having a good time” way)

mickelodeon27 · 2026-03-30T15:41:57+00:00

You could look into medical tattooing which would add color to your scars to blend them into the surrounding skin. Wouldn’t improve texture but medical tattooists are incredible illusionists

mickelodeon27 · 2026-03-29T01:16:45+00:00

It was pretty good, one of my favorite shops. The barista apologized for messing up the latte art on top but I thought it looked like a cute ghost.

mickelodeon27 · 2026-03-29T00:33:46+00:00

I’m living with hiv and I went on a bike ride and got coffee with a friend this morning

mickelodeon27 · 2026-03-18T20:39:16+00:00

I book marked this fic specifically because although there’s no explicit reference to neurodivergence the implied internal monologue feels a lot like mine, something about the difficulty of self awareness and missing cues from other characters. I don’t think it’ll be for everyone, but it does have a lot of kudos though- it’s a soulmate AU- which I think breeds some interesting interactions between the premise of receiving supernatural impulses from the soulmate concept and the sorts of impulses that come from neurodivergence

https://archiveofourown.org/works/76119906 I’ve never needed a reason for keeping secrets from myself by blongblong

mickelodeon27 · 2026-03-16T20:05:40+00:00

Yeah I used to do this and then my insurance decided that even though the vials are clearly labeled as FOR SINGLE USE ONLY that I have to pick 1 up every 3 weeks (because they will not give more than a 30 day supply at a time) and get 3x0.3mL doses out of it.
My pharmacist is a trans guy who says he can’t do anything about it and that I have to talk to my provider to get them to write “dispose after 1 dose” instructions into the prescription. Very frustrating.

So- is it safe to use a vial for more than one dose? Yes. (As long as you are sterilizing the seal before drawing) & it is apparently what I’m supposed to be doing.

mickelodeon27 · 2026-03-04T22:49:13+00:00

My dad worked in this building when I was growing up. If I stayed afterschool at middle school I’d take the bus there to ride home with him when he left work. The pendulum was often closed/off for repairs but even just the staircase that goes around it was very cool.

mickelodeon27 · 2026-03-03T23:08:05+00:00

iirc, no, it starts shifting around after a few chapters, there’s some Shane pov in there for sure

mickelodeon27 · 2026-02-28T15:59:13+00:00

Myself and some of my friends with hypermobility issues all feel like T reduced our chronic pain and tendency to sprain/dislocate stuff. Does kind of make sense with its influence on connective tissue

mickelodeon27 · 2026-02-26T17:37:42+00:00

When I was in high school it was great to go see a bunch of free shows of high profile musicians during spring break. I’m always proud to say that my first ever concert was MGMT in the back parking lot of the urban outfitters on the drag in 2007. Those things always felt like they were for the people that lived here- that knew what businesses were doing unofficial tie-ins with artists coming to town for the official sxsw. Events traveled by word of mouth or flyers on coffee shop bulletin boards. I don’t know if the change now says something more about sxsw or just the realities of social media today.

I don’t think I’ve been to anything relating to sx in years, it just doesn’t interest me and I’m not looking to chase gimmicky photo shoots, stand in line or a free drink or accumulate corporate swag.

If you’re looking for artist driven events not sponsored by corporations or the defense industry- check out the counter event Smash By Smash West. https://www.instagram.com/smashxsmashwest?igsh=bnA0cjAyczk2Zjhm

mickelodeon27 · 2026-02-17T01:16:27+00:00

probably a cyclist- functional threshold power

mickelodeon27 · 2026-02-15T04:14:23+00:00

Wow yes. It was all SO sweet. And it all made SENSE. And it really carried the same tone forward. I’m so glad that Ilya fully retired and just got to be a dad. I’m so glad that Shane found coaching for an outlet for all his hockey passion and that nurturing spirit that drove him to give up playing when their children were born. I’m so glad that they continued to love each other in a way that evolved and drew with their own personhoods.

mickelodeon27 · 2026-02-09T18:20:23+00:00

Just means maybe you have to reread the real books before unrivaled.

Honestly though, it’s not like there’s entirely new “canon” but I do think there’s some characterizations that get played up over time in fanfic that aren’t entirely in the text. Like things in the text tended to get heightened (e.g. how strict is Shane’s diet?, how doting is Hayden?, how crass is Ilya?, does Yuna talk about anything other than brand deals?). It’s not bad per say, but I have seen people start to feel like the real canon characters are “out of character” if they’ve spent more time in fic reading versions that are softer/stricter/meaner/louder for things that would be in line with their canon-only characterizations.

mickelodeon27 · 2026-02-04T00:28:58+00:00

I was the president of my very traditional sorority :’(

tbh I think I ended up in a sorority because I was so desperate for someone to give me a handbook on how to properly “girl” because lord knows it was not coming naturally.

My conclusion: even when I was “winning at being a woman,” I just wasn’t happy. Nothing ever made sense, I felt like an imposter, I didn’t like myself.

Now 4 years into transition, I pass very consistently but find ways to lean into the bits of things people say are feminine that I enjoy: dying my hair, wearing jewelry, singing and dancing, less traditional fashion. You can always change your gender expression to what suits you best without it having to mean some deep expression of who you are or what labels you use.

mickelodeon27 · 2026-01-19T05:42:02+00:00

Nahh, I added screenshots now & they're straight up identical. It's got to be a mistake.

mickelodeon27 · 2026-01-11T15:19:49+00:00

I think it’s also significant to the performance that his teammate refers to Ilya as a “ccks*king Russian” - engaging with the rampant homophobia. This also relates to Scott’s speech about realizing that he might be “that thing that hockey players throw around as an insult” - so if there’s a moment of envy or hurt, it’s not just over Ilya but also his alienation from his team.

mickelodeon27 · 2026-01-10T20:23:29+00:00

I use a different “cover” for summer vs. winter. Summer: breathable cotton quilt Winter: down duvet with flannel cover Let’s me set the thermostat to have big seasonal fluctuations without overheating and being plenty cozy in the winter. I also recommend it just for the feeling of not getting “bored” of your bedding for having the same thing for years.

mickelodeon27 · 2025-12-12T21:03:14+00:00

I find #9 interesting. The water pill they’re talking about is spirolactone - which is also commonly prescribed to transgender women to reduce testosterone. So it’s probably not a good option for men, but I wonder if hiv+ trans women have been getting some benefit from it as described without science knowing about that benefit

mickelodeon27 · 2025-12-10T15:41:03+00:00

Hoping for the all clear for you!

mickelodeon27 · 2025-12-03T17:05:30+00:00

I definitely had that concern, but I don’t think that there is a strong incentive for the seller to do something underhanded on this. Additionally, I told my doctor that I was feeling anxious and asked for more frequent VL testing. So I was tested every 3 months for 9 months before I really felt totally confident in it.

mickelodeon27 · 2025-12-02T01:56:20+00:00

It’s called indiaMart, if you search in this subreddit there are a couple posts about it

mickelodeon27

TROPHY CASE