u/mmsbva

This is my idea, but I know the authors of AO3 are better than most published authors out there. So change anything you want. Or use this as a stepping off point. This is just the story that keeps invading my brain.

And let me know when it’s done. Or if you need a beta.

I would love it if someone wrote a fanfic where the universe keeps trying to get them together, but it takes years for it to happen. And maybe even a universe POV and it keeps getting more irritated that it’s not working. Even trying to set up monumental circumstances that should force them together, like stuck at a hotel because of a hurricane. But one misses the flight and isn’t there.

Each have jobs that they travel a lot, go to conferences, have to go to cocktail parties or client dinners. Different industries.

The first year or two, they are near misses. One walking out of an airport bathroom that has a separate entrance walking in.

At the same conference center, but at different conferences, so just walk past each other. Maybe Shane sees Ilya’s name as key speaker and in passing thinks “that’s an unusual name”

Then they start to notice a person “dark blond curly hair” “nervous leg bouncing”. But dont take notice of the person.

Then they start to notice that curly blond hair/nervous tick more often and think “that’s weird how many curly blonde/nervous ticks i keep seeing”

Finally they notice the person “that’s weird I keep seeing that guy” Ilya in passing notices how good looking Shane is. Shane thinks he’s asexual and doesn’t really find anyone attractive so only notices “that guy”

As time goes on, they see each other more often. Maybe sit near each other at a restaurant. So they nod to each other when they pass each other. Shane gives a small “I notice you” smile. Ilya is a big flirt and gives a big smile.

Another time, they are somewhere that Shane can see Ilya’s at a cocktail party (Shane’s weakness) and sees him flirting with everyone (and everyone seems to know him). And Shane sees him leave with a woman (Svetlana) on his arm. (But she is just a friend/co-worker) And just notes he’s a giant flirt and has a girlfriend/wife.

Another time Ilya sees Shane in a conference room with stats and power points. And everyone is eating it up, smiling and nodding, asking pointed questions that he easily answers. (Ilya’s weakness)

Then one day they are sat in business class for a short flight and have to share an arm rest. The electric shock goes through them. Ilya instantly knows it a rare occurrence and that this attraction is special. Poor Shane just thinks it’s static electricity.

Then more closer encounters…Ilya trying desperately to turn this to more by heavily flirting. Our naive Shane just thinks that this is who Ilya is (seeing him work a room during a cocktail party)

Until the universe tries to put them in a small closet to finally get them to kiss. But again, the timing doesn’t work (much to the universe’s ultimate frustration and it vows to just stop trying to get them together)

Then organically, they find each other. Shane (previously, over time had weird feelings but didn’t know they were sexual feelings) is finally in a position to realize this is attraction! Ilya is near him and notices the hitch in his breath and the blush. He figures after years of trying to get this guy’s attention, he has nothing to lose. But as he is going in for a kiss, our consent king, pauses. And in that pause, Shane finally realizes he WANTS HIM, and moves toward Ilya and they kiss!

Pause this Subreddit

If you need Cliff inspiration…

Unbelievable Cliff

Put a towel down!!

Please write “Across the Universe”