r/loveanddepression

I just wanted to share the audio files I've organized of the boys :)

Using the app to listen to Secret Times and whatnot overheats my phone pretty badly, so I wanted a way to listen to them offline!

I'm sure if you are boycotting and miss the boys' voices, this might come in handyㅎㅎ Let me know if this is not allowed or prohibited! I'll delete it asap.

The Link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18m7i2jmsd4e1pPvUYFc20SejVOu4vhSv?usp=drive_link

- Includes: Secret Times, Tender Moments, Video Calls, and Voice Calls

- The long pauses in the voice calls have been trimmed.

- My Affinities with the LIs are not that high, so not all files are available.

Hi everyone! Given current events, I thought it might be nice to highlight some fanfic authors—both to help lighten the mood and to give thanks to their hard work.

 

This is my second list of fanfics, although this one is significantly longer than the last (Like... gargantuan, be ready). This list is for people who are interested longer, narrative driven stories, so all of these have 5,000 words or more, often with multiple chapters although there are a few one-shots in here. Initially this list was going to include both one-on-one character relationships and harem, but that became really long so I’m going to split it and post another harem-focused list later.

For your convivence, here is what I included in my recommendations: Title, author, pairing type, rating, completion status, chapter and word count, last update, custom description (not the synopsis attached to the fic), and then a technical breakdown with personal opinions.

 Also, just a heads up, the Zayne and Valko fics will not have personalized summaries. I haven’t read m/any fics with them as the sole love interest (harems, yes. One-on-one, no.) It’s mostly because Zayne isn’t my flavor one-on-one and Valko… I haven’t gotten to know yet. Regardless, I’ll make sure the recommendations are from authors I’ve read before, so they should be good. But again: I’m not sure how narrative focused they are, and since I haven’t read them myself, I can’t give them a personalized recommendation like the rest here.

As always, check the tags, skip what you don’t like, and I hope that you enjoy!

 

 

Xavier

 

A Crown Too Heavy by sutorohbericreamu

·      Xavier X Insert. Rated T. Ongoing with 6 chapters at 13,351 words. Last update: January 6^(th), 2026

·      Your character gets isekaied into a villainess novel. Knowing the events of the future, and with the assistance of otherworldly game mechanics, you must try to avoid your own death while navigating a marriage with your favorite character and villain of the story: Duke Xavier.

·      This is a locked fic, so you need an account to read it. It’s a third person reader insert fic that also explicitly uses (Name) within the story, so if that bothers you, I’d skip over this one. If that doesn’t however, I’d tell you that this story has fun with its formatting and its usage of isekaied villainess tropes. It’s a on the shorter end, but it’s a newer piece so I’m giving it time to work into itself.

 

The Lost Star by Chyseis_under_fire

·      Xavier/Caleb X OC. Rated M. Complete with 63 chapters at 183,986 words.

·      Rahlia has been by Xavier’s side for centuries, his partner in all endeavors except love. Yearning for him but resigned to a life shadowed by his one true love, Rahlia makes the tough decision to suppress her painful longing with a Toring chip. However, things start to go awry when multiple versions of Xavier’s love begin appearing, and a certain colonel claims to know Rahlia despite her having absolutely no memory of him.

·      This is a first-person OC fic that includes MC as a character. I have mixed feelings about this guy. I haven’t finished it, so I’m not sure if the end goal is Caleb or Xavier. Although I’m pretty far into it, it can be a little hard to read/follow due to a complicated plot and writing pacing being irregular. The personality of the main character does a lot of lifting for me, she’s really cool.

 

Not My Game, Not My Plot, Not My Problem by RevasLavellan

·      Xavier X Isekai OC oneshot. Rated G. Complete at 11,325 words.

·      Lyla is gamer. And as a gamer, she knows exactly what kind of game she’d want to be isekaied into. LaDs is not on that list. Taking this all in during the opening hunter ceremony, Lyla makes a snap decision that leaves some people wondering: what went wrong?

·      This one is a first person dual pov from the OC and from Xavier. I really like this one. Reread it a couple of times and every time I hope that it’ll get another chapter because it’s just so well done. Very cute with rather realistic reactions from both characters, and overall, just a fun premise.

 

Sleep Well, Little Star | Self aware!Xavier x Reader by lilmissassy333

·      (title says it but for formality sake) Xavier X Insert. Rated T. Ongoing 3 chapters with 40,460 words. Last Updated June 19^(th), 2026

·      Lads is your comfort game, and Xavier is your comfort character. While you enjoy the others, Xavier is your guy through-and-through. He’s there to help you study, and to help you work, and to help you wake up in the morning. Or at least he was supposed to. But that’s just a bug with your phone right?

·      Very cute piece! Love the interactions between Xavier and the insert character. My favorite parts are the discussions of how this reality bending portal are working/the meta powers Xavier ends up having to influence the reader’s gameplay. I’m hoping the author will update soon since the fic is marked to have 4 chapters!

 

 

Sylus

 

A Second Life for Strays! By stupidboy

·      Sylus X Insert. Rated M. Ongoing with 13 chapters at 82,713 words. Last updated: June 7^(th), 2025

·      You were a soldier before you died, your final act being to save a kitten from city wreckage. However, instead of staying dead, you wake up in Asko Hospital confused as to how you are alive, why you feel so different, and how a doctor you thought was fictional is tending to your wounds.

·      Third person pov, with (Name) used in the story. This on is one of my favorites because the reader is very smart. She’s caucious but is realistically panicked and makes mistakes that feel both understandable and situationally viable. Something that speaks to the testament of the author’s skill is the incusion of a plot point that easily could’ve become jarring and absurd. It’s a major reveal so I won’t speak on it too much, but I found it very enjoyable how well the author was able to keep the information tense and alaming despite how goofy the consept sounds without additional build up.

 

Cosmic Interlude by pinkest_nekomata

·      Sylus X MC. Rated T. Ongoing with 32/33 chapters at 58,672 words. Last Updated: July 28^(th), 2025.

·      This is a fic about how Sylus found his way to Earth from the Deepspace Tunnel and became leader of the N109 zone.

·      A Sylus exclusive pov fic. I haven’t finished this one but man, does the author do some crazy work compiling the smallest of details to make this fic flow. It’s very well researched and very comprehensive as a timeline of events following Sylus and his endeavors to reunite with MC.

 

Re: out of bounds by novthirty

·      Sylus X Isekai insert. Rated M. Ongoing with 4/7 chapters at 37,376 words. Last Updated: June 6^(th), 2025

·      After a sudden car accident, you wake up in the backyard of Onychinus. Having nowhere else to go, you beg Sylus for a job as a secretary.

·      Second person pov. I like the emotional push and pull of this one, but the pacing can be tough sometimes. I think that’s because it was originally a oneshot (that is still available) expanded into a longer fic, but it doesn’t change the fact that some scenes feel rushed while other times scenes seem to drag. Otherwise, enjoyable plot concepts.

 

instinct by cardinalrachelieu

·      Sylus X Insert. Rated E. Ongoing with 5/12 chapters at 25,481 words. Last updated: October 31^(st), 2025

·      You are forcefully chosen as a sacrifice to replenish the magic seal keeping an ancient dragon contained. However, when you fail to die, you strike a deal with the fiend to get revenge on those who threw you down there. Your soul in exchange for his might and power. But in the process of sealing the deal, you awaken some unexpected instincts that urge you to claim him… in more ways than one.

·      This fic is locked, so if you don’t have an account, you won’t be able to read. Also check rating. First person insert with draconic-hybrid reader and dragon Sylus. Slow updates, but has good plot progression that does some fun things with the “instincts” trope. Well written, doing a nice job of balancing internal character conflict and outward plot mechanisms. Obligatory warning here, don’t yuck someone’s yum and don’t hate on an author for things you don’t like. Check the tags.

 

Be as you’ve always been by thyrd_pardie

·      Sylus X Insert. Rated T. Ongoing with 25/34 chapters at 137,8841 words. Last updated: September 20^(th), 2026

·      After your marriage with Sylus Qin falls apart, you try to keep your distance from him. Or rather, as much distance as you can while raising a 16 year old daughter with him.

·      This is a wonderful story about complicated love and families learning how to grow to fit one another. Expertly written and always a joy to see updated. This story does a lot of world building for the N109 Zone and has a lot of lore for it’s side characters, so if you want a fic that is more romance centered, then this one might not be for you since it’s a slow-burn, rekindling type story with a child in the mix.

 

 

Rafayel

 

Beyond the Event Horizon by greymaiden

·      Rafayel X Isekai insert. Rated M. 27 chapters at 208,130 words. Last Updated: April 28^(th), 2026

·      After wandering for days in a unknown city that far exceeds what you though was possible for modern technology, you finally come to the conclusion that you must be dreaming—so in an attempt to wake up, you try to jump off a cliff. It’s only through sheer luck that a kind, if sarcastic artist, stops you from ending it all.

·      This is another fic I haven’t read all the way through; however I liked the premise of an isekai character being the only version of MC to have existed in Linkon. I also liked that the insert character was artistic herself. The structure of the story can be a little tough to read through sometimes, and it does get slow in the middle, but it’s worth pushing through!

 

A Myth at Sea by Balidoria

·      Rafayel X OC. Rated M. Complete with 10 chapter at 43,134 words.

·      The last thing Ioanna expects after escaping her arranged wedding is to be thrown overboard to a sea monster. Surely, this spells her death. But when she wakes up inside a cave instead of inside a stomach, she realizes there might be more to this creature than hungry jaws. 

·      Highly recommend this author’s works, I’ve read all of it and its wonderful! Third person with great sense of personality. This story in particular is really cool because it can fit pretty well into the current cannon understanding of Rafayel and his myths. So if you like it as much as I do, you might consider it actual character lore.

 

Imitations of immortality by thyrd_pardie

·      Rafayel X Insert. Rated T. Complete with 22 chapters at 115,548 words.

·      A month after an unexpected night of passion with your friend and crush Rafayel, you you’re greeted with morning sickness and a missed period. Knowing he has his eyes set on the accomplished miss hunter, you struggle with how to raise your baby while reconciling your love for Rafayel.

·      This one is a wonderfully written dual pov, in second and third person. Even if you don’t like pregnancy tropes, I think this is fic worth checking out. It’s so thoughtfully written and well-paced, exploring a lot of the deep psychology that motivates and traps Rafayel. Beyond the romance of it, this story is very heartfelt and sweet. Highly recommend, one of my favorite authors.

 

For Want of a Heart by Delilah_Delaney

·      Rafayel x MC. Rated T. Ongoing with 36/40 chapters at 239,392 words. Last Updated: July 27^(th), 2025.

·      Although MC has been with Rafayel for a while now, she’s still not certain on where they stand with each other. Sure, she’s spent nights in his bed, but there’s still so much she doesn’t know about him, so many secrets he holds to himself. But as truths that would prefer to stay hidden begin to trickle in, it soon becomes apparent that there’s more to her and Rafayel’s relationship than she thought possible.

·      Another dual pov, third person. This one is also a great read. Much more plot centered than the last recommendation with some great action scenes and some additional LI interactions throughout. Really love this one and quite frankly this author. Also check out their other work: To Settle a Debt with the Sea which is completed at 21 chapters, 133,055 words and rated E.

 

 

Caleb

 

Project 003: ADJUDICATOR by Jaecheondaesong

·      Caleb X Isekai insert. Rated T. Ongoing with 16 chapters at 103,282 words. Last Updated: September 3^(rd), 2025.

·      You wake up in EVER’s laboratory a decade younger than your meant to be, stuck alongside fellow test subjects 001 and 002. With meta-knowledge on your side, you help them, and yourself, navigate this frightening world you’ve been dropped into.

·      A bit more comedic in nature but well-done example of a Caleb story that doesn’t have his affection directed at MC, while still capturing his darker, protective tendencies. The characters are children/teens for the majority of the published chapters, but I think that helps set up Caleb’s slightly tweaked character.

 

tell me something real by BlueberryMoons

·      Caleb X Insert. Rated E. Complete at 183,312 words.

·      Having lived under your family’s oppressive rules for long enough, you decide to study abroad in Italy. Despite the near crippling anxiety that plagues you, it’s been nice to discover who you are outside that life. But after a chance encounter with a certain pilot leaves you reeling, you grapple with what it really means to lead life on your own. Because it seems there’s someone else who’s equally as interested in learning about you as you are.

·      I really like this story, I think it really captures the kind of person Caleb would attach himself to if MC didn’t reciprocate his feelings. I will say that the Insert character is closer to an OC but that’s just because they have some very strong personality traits—which frankly I think is necessary for a Caleb pairing. I really like how a big portion of this story is dedicated to growing the foundations of the relationship. It’s very realistic. I also appreciate how a lot of the conflict is internal as opposed to external (EVER/Fleet stuff).

 

Psychosomatic by MinaMidwinter

·      Caleb X Insert. Rated E. Ongoing with 52 chapters at 272,313 words. Last Updated: December 11th, 2025.

·       Practical and efficient, you work the dangerous job conducting psych-evaluations on officers of the Farspace Fleet. One day you are unexpectedly approached by the Farspace Fleet Colonel to conduct a psycho-anylasis on him. It’s a surprise considering how enigmatic he is, even more so when he demands they be conducted in secret. However, you’ve never shied away from a challenge, even when it might expose secrets about yourself you thought were buried for good.

·      I’m not too far into this one yet, however, I’m really enjoying how clever the Insert character is. Smart but flawed and I’m very excited to see how her sessions with Caleb become more cat and mouse like in their tension. Thrid person PoV.

 

The Violet-Eyed Monster by CythisSyrillan

·      Caleb X MC. Rated T. Completed with 6 chapters at 17,752 words.

·      Caleb, the over protective brother-figure that he is, finds out about the four other guys you spend time with and decides to pay them a visit.

·      This one is entirely from Caleb’s point of view and I think it’s hilarious in a twisted kinda way. This one is a bit closer to a harem by the end, but I still wanted to include it because I think it’s very par-the-course for how Caleb might handle a situation where 4 “questionable” guys are making heart-eyes at MC while hanging out. A little unhinged, but what about Caleb is sane? My favorite part is how well the author managed to capture each character.

 

Eternal Rest by SentientFurby

·      Caleb X Isekai insert. Rate M. Ongoing with 19 chapters at 38,048 words. Last updated: June 9^(th), 2026

·      After a strange dream, you wake up dazed and confused in strange place, made even stranger when Caleb comes to fret over you. But when sleeping through this strange dream doesn’t bring you back to the present, you’re left wondering what brought you here, how to go home, and why you were sent to ancient China instead of the futuristic Linkon city.

·      Second PoV. I really adore this fic, it’s pretty rare to see a canon AU card expanded like this and I think it’s very clever. The setting is well fleshed out and the tension is very well crafted. I especially love how well the internal and external conflicts are managed throughout the story.

 

 

Zayne

 

When the Snow Falls in Nalchik by sutorohbericreamu

·      Zayne X Isekai insert. Rated G. Completed with 9 chapters at 13,421 words.

·      Sounds really good actually! Interesting premise that looks to be a “double double” isekai where you get transported into a Manhwa plot with a duke of the north, send back home, then transported back? That might be a misunderstanding but regardless, seems really good!

 

Immediate Disorder – Extended Cut bu pinkest_nekomata

·      Zayne X AU MC. Rated E. Completed with 11 chapters at 28,978 words.

·      This is a Tomorrow’s Catch-22 expansion which, if you like Zayne, it’s frankly on of the best cards to delve into his psychology. This author is really good at finding the smallest of details and putting them together in a wonderfully deep character analysis.

 

Silent Transmission by RevasLavellan

·       Zayne X OC. Rated M. Oneshot with 9,488 words.

·      A College!AU with psychic abilities and a few mishaps along the way.

 

Clinical Correlations by SlyBlueBird

·      Zayne X Insert. Rated E. Ongoing with 10 chapters at 31,727 words. Last updated: September 21^(st), 2026.

·      This is a locked fic, you need an account to access it. Looks like it’ll be a interesting College!AU with some great angst and good push/pull power dynamics. I really like this author’s Caleb fics, but they can be pretty dark, so I didn’t add them to the recommendation list. Obligatory warning here, don’t yuck someone’s yum and don’t hate on an author for things you don’t like. Check the tags.

 

 

Valko

 

Reunion Under the Moon by Ouka_noir

·      Valko X Isekai MC. Rated G. Ongoing with 5 chapters at 29,538 words. Last updated: August 31^(st), 2026

·      Looks like it’ll have a pretty big focus on cosmic connections with gods and godhood, with a good ol’ splash of chosen love.

 

If the Story Won’t Choose You, I Will by NinerNiner

·      Valko X Isekai insert. Rated T. Ongoing with 20 chapters and 58,482 words. Last updated: October 2^(nd), 2026,

·      I started the first chapter and was liking the pacing, so I definitely wanted to include it here. I’m always a sucker for “fix the plot” type storylines, and I love how that’s been associated with Valko in this fic.

 

I howl for you by BlueberryMoons

·      Valko X Insert. Rated E. Oneshot at 14,832 words.

·      Pretty sure this is just straight up smut, but! But but but, there is defiantly some plot happening in here because no WAY can you have over 10,000 words and it all be the devil’s tango! Prove me wrong I guess? Looks cute otherwise.

 

 

And that’s the end of the fic list folks! Hope it was helpful for anyone looking for longer stories in the fandom. Enjoy and please, send the authors lots of love for all their lovely work. It can be hard to stay motivated to write, especially now when the fandom is fraught with discourse so a little comment here and there would mean the world to most these authors. Even if it’s just a heart emoji, it’ll be greatly appreciated.

 

Have a nice night Valkyries!

We're entering another month of people boycotting and I know some people may be tired of it, annoyed by it or may decided they don't want to participate anymore.

That's okay.

But if you're still boycotting, are considering whether to continue or maybe even considering joining in, I wanted to remind you why the boycott matters and why the behavior of people online doesn't change that.

The boycott isn't about whether the people you see online are nice, annoying, toxic, radical or reasonable. It isn't about fandom drama.

It's a consumer action.

You can disagree with individual people while still recognizing that the issues they're protesting are real. And you can dislike the way someone advocates for a cause without making the cause itself irrelevant.

What are people boycotting for?

There isn't just one reason to boycott. Some of the main issues include:

- Better communication

- Greater transparency

- More options for resolving problems and complaints

- Lighting issues

- Valko's removal

- More consistent and meaningful new content

- And other ongoing issues with the game

Those are issues, not personal preferences.

For example, how much of your MC you want to see in cards is a personal preference. Different players will naturally want different things and Infold can't satisfy every preference equally.

Lighting issues, missing communication or content being removed after months of development are not simply matters of taste.

And that's why I want to specifically address Valko's removal.

Why Valko matters beyond personal preference

For the industry:

This isn't simply about a character.

If creative content can be developed for months and then removed because of external restrictions after developers, artists, writers, voice actors and other workers have already invested significant time into it, there are consequences beyond the game itself.

People lose paid work. Months of creative work may never be released and depending on how confidential the project remains, some of that work may not even be usable publicly as portfolio material.

It also creates uncertainty.

If something can be planned, announced, developed and worked on for months only to disappear later, that affects the people creating the content as well as the players investing in the game.

And once this kind of precedent exists, nobody can assume it will only affect one character.

For players:

This also isn't simply about wanting a "shiny new toy."

A new character means more content.

It brings new stories, events, battles, rewards, pulls and other resources. You don't have to spend money on the character to benefit from that content.

Whether you're F2P, saving for another character or simply don't have the money to spend that month, he's a way to farm more resources.

That's particularly relevant in a game where resources are limited and expensive.

So Valko matters even if you never wanted him personally.

His removal affects the game's content cycle, the work of the people who created him, the expectations set for the future of the game and the amount of content and resources available to the entire player base.

If none of these issues affect your experience or enjoyment of the game, you don't have to boycott.

If you were boycotting because of a specific issue, that issue was resolved and you're satisfied with the direction the game is taking, you don't have to boycott.

If you have concerns but they simply aren't important enough to you to stop spending, you don't have to boycott.

But if these issues matter to you, continuing the boycott is a legitimate way to communicate that.

A company doesn't have to be evil for customers to demand better treatment. And a game can be fun while the company behind it still deserves criticism.

Enjoying Love and Deepspace and refusing to spend money on it are not mutually exclusive.

A boycott is one of the few forms of leverage individual customers have. It allows people to communicate: I like your product, but I am not willing to financially support these decisions.

Don't let fandom drama decide for you

Don't let "it's been too long," "it isn't working," "your issues don't matter," or "the people supporting it are annoying" make the decision for you.

If you spend enough time online, you will encounter every kind of person.

Valko supporters. Antis. Radicals. People who are respectful. People who are rude. People who argue in good faith. People who don't.

None of that changes the actual issues.

You don't have to engage with people you dislike. Block them. Mute them. Ignore them. Protect your own peace.

But don't confuse fandom behavior with the reason for the boycott.

You decide what you support, you decide where your money goes and you decide which issues matter enough to you to act on.

If Valko doesn't matter to you personally but you understand why he matters to other players and choose to support them anyway, that's great.

If lighting issues don't matter to you but you know it deeply affects others, so you support the boycott because of that, awesome!

Solidarity doesn't require identical priorities and compassion makes us stronger.

So if any of these issues matter to you:

Boycott.

Don't be cruel to people.

Don't harass anyone.

And don't let other people's behavior decide what you believe.

Block people who are being assholes.

Keep your focus on the actual issues.

And have fun with people you connect with.

Hello! :) Recently, I've been wondering how each of the LIs would be if they and MC had an argument. And I don't mean a disagreement or a misunderstanding. I mean a PROPER argument, where they have a justified reason to be angry. Obviously, let's keep it legal and within the rules of the sub.

Of course this kind of content would be impossible to find in an otome game meant for romance. So I decided to ask in this sub instead if any of you have any headcanons. If such content exists somewhere in LADS, kindly point me to it :) (asking for a friend).

If anyone has any headcanons, please drop them for Xavier, Rafayel, Zayne, Sylus, Caleb and Valko too!

(I can change the flair if needed, I figured this was the best option) (I looked over the rules & I’m pretty sure this is allowed but I’m sorry in advance if not)

I’m in the R&D phase of potentially creating embroidered LADS merch, because I’ve noticed it’s an untapped corner of the market (based on what I can find online)

I’m a vicarious LADS enjoyer because my devices don’t have the data space so I try to gather as much lore/info/phrases/images as I can but I know I’m not gonna know as much as well as the rest of yall.

I’ve got other iconography I know I wanna use, some of which I’ve already started mocking up, but I wanted y’all’s input on words/phrases and if yall would be interested in embroidered merch in the first place.

I’ve got the obvious; nicknames (pipsqueak kitten jasmine etc), the guys signatures (including what I hope is actually Valkos!), and symbols (apple snowflake stars etc) but if yall have any other suggestions I’m more than happy to hear it!