Retro Writing - May 2026 Challenge
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“I don’t think you’re supposed to smoke here.”
Pointing at the sign that was posted literally above Rozanov’s head, Shane’s ire at the Angel-kin’s lack of respect for the rules grows when Rozanov doesn’t even look up.
The flint strikes on the lighter again, to no avail.
“Devil-kin who likes rules. Wow.” Rozanov’s voice is deep, much deeper than Shane was expecting, and it sends a shiver down his spine that knocks his tail loose from his waist. It lashes behind him, broadcasting his irritation for anyone to see, and Shane’s cheeks flush with embarrassment.
- Part 6 of Retro Writing - May 2026 Challenge
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 1,108
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #84293676
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“Look, red!” Shane holds his clenched fist up triumphantly, and Yuna carefully steps over the baby gate blocking Shane’s doorway.
“Let me see.” she says softly, knowing full well that there’s nothing for her to see at all. The red string of fate that ties two souls together can only be seen by the people connected by it. Her own string leads her right to David, and she can only hope that whoever’s on the other end of Shane’s string is a worthy soulmate for her baby.
“Mine.” Shane, who’s never been possessive about any of his toys, is practically growling at her; stubbornly shaking his head. He wraps his free hand around his fist, pulling both close to his chest.
She tries not to find it adorable, and fails.
- Part 7 of Retro Writing - May 2026 Challenge
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 6,942
- Chapters:
- 6/6
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #84403071
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“Some of the guys are being pissy because we’re doubled with other teams.” She clarifies. “For instance, you-”
Checking her clipboard, Tasha snorts in amusement. “Guess the league has a sense of humor, even with this clusterfuck. You’re rooming with Boston’s Rozanov.”
Shane doesn’t have to fight to keep his expression neutral; his brain having shorted out completely at the thought of spending the next three days in a hotel room with Rozanov.
“Oh. Ha.” he says belatedly, when he realizes Tasha must be expecting at least some kind of reaction from him. “Hope he doesn’t snore.”
- Part 10 of Retro Writing - May 2026 Challenge
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 2,197
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #84567041
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"Come in.” the boy says impatiently, his Russian enviably flawless.
“Sorry.” Shane mutters back. He’s still working on his vocabulary, but years of listening to Ilya muttering in Russian whenever they were together has given him a pretty good ear for the accent.
“You speak Russian?” the boy demands in rapid Russian. “Do you know what’s going on? Where am I? Where’s my Mama? Who is this fucker?”
“Slowly, please. I am learning. Say it again, please.” Shane replies with deliberate care, stepping into the hotel room and closing the door. “And don’t say fucker.”
- Part 14 of Retro Writing - May 2026 Challenge
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 1,796
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #84879101
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“Hayden, give it-”
“I don’t think so buddy!” Hayden teases, sing-song; post game adrenaline making him giddy. “I think if you’re ditching us to go hang out with some girl, we deserve the courtesy of at least knowing what she looks like.”
There’s a general grumbling of approval amongst the team, and fear starts to ice down Shane’s spine.
“No, Hayden.” he tries, desperation growing and grabbing at his friend’s arm. “This isn’t funny, stop-”
- Part 18 of Retro Writing - May 2026 Challenge
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 3,708
- Chapters:
- 3/3
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #85113751
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Unknown number: Is this Jane?
Unknown number: Listen, whatever the FUCK Roz did, he’s sorry
Unknown number: PLEASE take him back
Shane: Who is this?
OR
The Boston Raiders last about a week with Ilya's heartbreak before they decide to take matters into their own hands.
- Part 21 of Retro Writing - May 2026 Challenge
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 400
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #85418846
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Rozanov’s eyes shoot open, and Shane swears he sees a glimmer of red in them before they fade back to their curious peridot green.
“Hollander.”
“Are you okay?” Shane asks awkwardly, adjusting his grip on his towel.
- Part 24 of Retro Writing - May 2026 Challenge
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 2,345
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #85461371
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The advert he’d seen online the month before had seemed too good to be true; between his parents and his teammates asking when he’d settle down, Shane was tired. Tired of the constant match making, even as well intended as it was and tired of feeling like even this private aspect of his life was something performative; like there was nothing to his existence that was just for him.
He’d wanted an easy out, and Google had had the answers.
Utmost discretion. Blonde. Green eyes. Passable English.
After hours of research vetting the agency he’d selected, Shane had wired over the funds and crossed his fingers before immediately stress cleaning his already pristine house.
- Part 25 of Retro Writing - May 2026 Challenge
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 1,627
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #85479526
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The Centaurs conference room is eerily quiet after Harris makes his request.
“But why?” Dykstra asks, though Shane’s feelings echo the sentiment exactly.
“Because April is national poetry month, and I need content.” Harris shrugs.
- Part 27 of Retro Writing - May 2026 Challenge
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 486
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #85521376
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“Welcome back folks, we’re here today with another clip from our mini series, Beyond the Ice. Last time we took you on a tour of the first floor of the humble abode for Ottawa’s own ‘husbands of hockey’, and today we’re headed upstairs for a closer look at the domestic side of living for these two dynamite players.”
- Part 28 of Retro Writing - May 2026 Challenge
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 645
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #85522036
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Ahead of him on the path, looking resplendent in a long black and gold coat with fur at the cuffs and along the rim of his felt hat, stands Ilya Rozanov; second son of Grigori Rozanov. He has a cigar hanging loosely from his lips, which are cocked into a familiar smirk.
He’s infuriatingly handsome, a gem of the court, and worst of all… he knows it.
- Part 29 of Retro Writing - May 2026 Challenge
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 787
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #85522616
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The front door of the cottage banged open and Ilya and Shane both tumbled out, shoving at each other and darting for the car.
“I told, I carry groceries!” Ilya protests. “First is ‘no carry bags, Ilya’, ‘how’s your ribs, Ilya’, but I am fine. Hollander. Hollander!”
“You don’t even know where the groceries go, there’s no reason for both of us- My parents can carry their own stuff! Rozanov!”
Ilya’s palms slapped onto Yuna’s car door, his breathing slightly elevated, cheeks flushed and a wide boyish grin on his face. “Got here first!”
- Part 30 of Retro Writing - May 2026 Challenge
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 734
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #85823126
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The nursery is painted.
Furniture bought.
Costco boxes of wipes stashed away in the closet.
A baby mobile, handmade with little felt hockey figures, dangles over the crib.
OR
The Stanley Cup can grant wishes; Shane and Ilya make theirs.
- Part 31 of Retro Writing - May 2026 Challenge
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 1,265
- Chapters:
- 1/1
- Files:
- 1
- AO3:
- #85824521