Futile Devices
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Listing Series
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Futile Devices by comesatnight
Fandoms: Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers Series - Rachel Reid
18 Feb 2026
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Summary
"I do not know how to say what I mean." Ilya said, staring past Shane, willing himself to look tough and one-dimensional and not like he was wilting away. Shane rubbed a thumb over Ilya's cheek and tilted his head so that he was in Ilya's line of sight.
"You don't know how to say it in English?" Shane asked curiously. Ilya shook his head.
"No, I don't know how to say it at all. Even in Russian. Is... Is hard." Ilya said, hopelessly. He was certain that no matter what he did, Shane would leave him again.
Or: What happened after Shane and Ilya talked in the hotel room after the All-Star game, and what happened moments after the "marriage" discussion.
Series
- Part 1 of Futile Devices
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Summary
"Let me take it from you." Ilya said, running his hands up and down Shane's arms. Shane blinked silently, as if his brain was malfunctioning. He managed to mumble out a quiet "What?" as he shook his head, trying to pull himself back into the present moment. Ilya smiled softly at how wrecked Shane already looked.
"Let me take the control from you. I'll help turn your brain soft so you can relax and enjoy yourself with your new team that already loves you." Ilya raised his eyebrows in request.
"You have done so well, have been in control of everything, and now is time to celebrate and to relax. Will you let me do this for you?" Ilya asked, his brows still raised as he continued to run his hands up to Shane's shoulders and massaged his fingers into the skin by his neck, eliciting a soft groan from Shane.
"Please." Shane said, barely a whisper.
OR: Ilya knows exactly what to do to make Shane feel at ease.
Series
- Part 2 of Futile Devices
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Better Than This by comesatnight
Fandoms: Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers Series - Rachel Reid
27 Jan 2026
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Summary
Shane squinted at Ilya, and tilted his head slightly in thought.
"I know "tebya" is "you", and "etot" is "this"... I'm too sleepy to translate the rest. What does that mean, Ilya?"
Ilya froze. He didn't realize he had said it out loud- didn't know why he had said it. He had said it thoughtlessly, had been too caught up in his thoughts and in the dream of his mama, had forgotten his painfully smart and 'good at everything' boyfriend had been trying to learn Russian for him. How could he explain what the words meant? That they encapsulated all of Ilya's fears about his relationship with Shane?
"Is nothing, moya lyubov." he said, continuing to stroke Shane's face. He hoped Shane would believe him at his word this once, that Shane would allow him to keep his emotions that were now bubbling to the surface under wraps. But Shane was staring at him with that look on his face, and he knew he would have to explain.
"It means... "Someone will love you better than this."
Or: Ilya has trauma and is not sure he is good enough for the love Shane provides; Shane straightens him out.
Series
- Part 3 of Futile Devices
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End of the World by comesatnight
Fandoms: Heated Rivalry (TV), Game Changers | Heated Rivalry - All Media Types
16 Jul 2026
Tags
Summary
Ilya thought he would be the rock in their relationship.
Ilya resented Shane.
Ilya was on the verge of a breakdown.
Ilya didn't want to feel like this anymore.For Ilya, in an instant, it's the end of the world. Everything Ilya had shoved down bubbles dangerously to the surface. The message is clear: Shane isn't going anywhere, but he is also unable to do anything if Ilya wont let him help.
OR: No matter what Ilya says, no matter how hard he self sabotages, Shane always sticks around. He just needs to help Ilya realize that he's not going anywhere.
Inspired by the song "End of the World" by Searows.Series
- Part 4 of Futile Devices