ForrestForTheTrees



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  1. Public Bookmark *

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    At thirty years old, Sanji likes to think he’s doing fine — if you ignore the divorce, the empty apartment, and the fact that his work is the only thing keeping him from falling headfirst into an early midlife crisis.

    So when he walks into his old gym on autopilot after a long trip and finds it replaced by a tattoo studio, he does the only rational thing:

    …committing to a massive piece that’ll cost him a fortune and trap him in close quarters with the unfairly attractive yet impossibly rude artist behind the counter.

    It’s not like it's the worst idea he’s ever had, okay?

    (Though maybe he should’ve gone with the word impulsive tattooed across his arm to stop him from repeating mistakes like this.)

    But when the dreaded session turns into a day of laughter, teasing, and warmth he hasn’t felt in years, he can’t wait to come back.

    A story about the value of found family, learning to love again, and trying to charm your way through life with extravagant food.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    168,805
    Chapters:
    12/12
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    23 May 2026

  2. Public Bookmark *

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    “I’m right here. And you are okay, and you are safe, and healthy, and you are at home, yes? It is quiet, and nobody is there, nobody is bothering you. And the world is full of stupid idiots, but you are not one of them. And I am here. When you need me, I am here.”

    ---------

    or: The whole world thinks Shane is gay because of some stupid internet rumors, and he doesn't even have to confirm it. He's losing control of his entire life and he needs somewhere to put what little he does have.

    Ilya has open hands.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    37,065
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    1,357
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    28,853
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    04 May 2026

  3. Public Bookmark *

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    Shane Hollander works at a coffee shop, plays hockey, keeps his head down, and doesn’t ask questions he doesn’t need the answers to.

    So when a new regular starts showing up—quiet, watchful, Russian-accented, and conducting invitation-only meetings in the back—Shane notices. When that same man takes an unsettling interest in Shane’s closing shifts, his routines, and his safety, Shane does what feels sensible: he adjusts his behavior and keeps his mouth shut.

    Ilya Rozanov orders an Americano. He reads, but only in Russian. He worries when people work late alone.

    They are operating with very different definitions of danger.

    If he didn’t ask questions, he couldn’t be lied to.

    The rules were simple.

    1. Do not ask questions you don’t need the answer to.
    2. Do not share personal information freely.
    3. Do not be alone with Ilya Rozanov.
    4. Do not give him a reason to think you’re afraid.

    Series
    Language:
    English
    Words:
    71,777
    Chapters:
    10/10
    Collections:
    2
    Comments:
    1,612
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    7,931
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    29 Apr 2026

  4. Public Bookmark *

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    Shane's eyes squeeze closed again. “We had reason to put rules in place. Protocol. If ever—if it got to a place where, if he was ever feeling like he might—"

    Hayden’s body understands before his mind catches up. His blood runs cold for a second, stuck on the scrunch of Shane’s face, the clench of his fist, how desperate he’d been to see Rozanov—Ilya—just now. To make sure that he was okay. Here, in person.

    Not hurt. Alive.

    “Oh,” Hayden hears himself say distantly. “Oh, fuck, Shane.”

    --

    or, Ilya needs a place to go, and Hayden's happens to be the closest. It turns out to be a good thing.

    Series
    Language:
    English
    Words:
    8,339
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Collections:
    9
    Comments:
    452
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    17,226
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    28 Apr 2026

  5. Public Bookmark *

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    At eleven years old Ilya Rozanov's class is given an assignment:

    They will be randomly paired with a student at another school in Canada via email. In order to get full credit on the assignment, they must send at least five emails back and forth and gather enough information to write their project.

    After seven years, Ilya is pretty sure he's done enough for 100%

    or

    Shane and Ilya sending emails throughout the years. What happens when they meet?

    Series
    Language:
    English
    Words:
    67,472
    Chapters:
    21/21
    Comments:
    8,471
    Kudos:
    37,497
    Bookmarks:
    10,653
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    703,989

    27 Apr 2026