ArbitrarilySelected
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Summary
Valery Legasov, brilliant and solitary scientist, lives surrounded by what is never spoken: in laboratories, in empty hallways, in thoughts left unsaid. Boris Shcherbina, hardened statesman, appears to be his opposite—loud voice, imposing presence. Yet between them, during and after Chernobyl, a quiet and unshakable bond takes root.
In a world that erases names and rewrites memory, all that remains is the trace of gestures, a voice on tape, a hammock still swaying in the wind.
A love never spoken, yet perfectly clear. A loyalty that defies time, guilt, and death.[...] “Maybe… because I know you’ll leave. Or maybe I will. Or both” Boris says quietly, like a confession. “And it scares me that the memory of you… of us, might be enough for me. More than your presence.”
Valery doesn’t answer. He looks at him. One of those looks that weighs heavy, holding back every word that wants to burst out but doesn’t dare.
“I don’t want to be a memory” he murmurs after a long pause. “But I don’t know if I know how to be anything else. Not in this world. Not in the life we’ve been given.”Bookmarked by ArbitrarilySelected
13 Jun 2026
Bookmarker's Notes
Valery Legasov, brilliant and solitary scientist, lives surrounded by what is never spoken: in laboratories, in empty hallways, in thoughts left unsaid. Boris Shcherbina, hardened statesman, appears to be his opposite—loud voice, imposing presence. Yet between them, during and after Chernobyl, a quiet and unshakable bond takes root.
In a world that erases names and rewrites memory, all that remains is the trace of gestures, a voice on tape, a hammock still swaying in the wind.
A love never spoken, yet perfectly clear. A loyalty that defies time, guilt, and death.[...] “Maybe… because I know you’ll leave. Or maybe I will. Or both” Boris says quietly, like a confession. “And it scares me that the memory of you… of us, might be enough for me. More than your presence.”
Valery doesn’t answer. He looks at him. One of those looks that weighs heavy, holding back every word that wants to burst out but doesn’t dare.
“I don’t want to be a memory” he murmurs after a long pause. “But I don’t know if I know how to be anything else. Not in this world. Not in the life we’ve been given.”Godsammit this is too good. Curse you and your heartbreaking words you magical wordsmith
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Summary
Francis Crozier and James Fitzjames have returned from the Arctic, mostly recovered and back in London. They've settled to live together as two confirmed bachelors and close friends, as far as anyone is concerned.
When James starts mentioning enjoying the idea of being treated as a wife would, and wishing to own beautiful dresses - Francis can't help but want to provide anything he could possibly ask for. If only his own anxiety about going too far and too fast in relationships would let these kinds of things be easy.
Bookmarked by ArbitrarilySelected
11 Jun 2026
Bookmarker's Notes
Francis Crozier and James Fitzjames have returned from the Arctic, mostly recovered and back in London. They've settled to live together as two confirmed bachelors and close friends, as far as anyone is concerned.
When James starts mentioning enjoying the idea of being treated as a wife would, and wishing to own beautiful dresses - Francis can't help but want to provide anything he could possibly ask for. If only his own anxiety about going too far and too fast in relationships would let these kinds of things be easy.
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Tags
Summary
It is not unheard of for a woman to hide her identity, cut her hair, put on a pair of trousers and then run away to join the navy or become a soldier. It could even happen that two women might join the same crew in secret, without knowing of the other. Perhaps even three.
But an entire expedition with two ships full of experienced sailors, manned entirely in such a manner? Well, let's say it's not impossible, and the Franklin Expedition happened to be just the place for this to happen.
The Terror and Monstrous Regiment AU you didn't know you needed
Bookmarked by ArbitrarilySelected
11 Jun 2026
Bookmarker's Notes
It is not unheard of for a woman to hide her identity, cut her hair, put on a pair of trousers and then run away to join the navy or become a soldier. It could even happen that two women might join the same crew in secret, without knowing of the other. Perhaps even three.
But an entire expedition with two ships full of experienced sailors, manned entirely in such a manner? Well, let's say it's not impossible, and the Franklin Expedition happened to be just the place for this to happen.
The Terror and Monstrous Regiment AU you didn't know you needed
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Summary
In 1831 James briefly decides to crossdress and play at being a woman - which turns serious when he meets one Lieutenant Francis Crozier and the two decide to marry before eventually moving on with their naval careers.
Now, over a decade later and stuck on the same expedition, their shared past is nothing but a liability and source of enmity for them. Knowing one another’s secrets leads to an uneasy truce, and the chance to get to know one another again.
Bookmarked by ArbitrarilySelected
11 Jun 2026
Bookmarker's Notes
In 1831 James briefly decides to crossdress and play at being a woman - which turns serious when he meets one Lieutenant Francis Crozier and the two decide to marry before eventually moving on with their naval careers.
Now, over a decade later and stuck on the same expedition, their shared past is nothing but a liability and source of enmity for them. Knowing one another’s secrets leads to an uneasy truce, and the chance to get to know one another again.
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Tags
Summary
Walking between the ships to visit the Terror, James gets surprised by an unexpectedly strong snowstorm, and very nearly gets lost in the cold.
And of course the best way to treat hypothermia is skin to skin contact, which Francis is all too happy to provide. Even when this leads to things getting a little more heated than intended.
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Bookmarked by ArbitrarilySelected
10 Jun 2026
Bookmarker's Notes
Walking between the ships to visit the Terror, James gets surprised by an unexpectedly strong snowstorm, and very nearly gets lost in the cold.
And of course the best way to treat hypothermia is skin to skin contact, which Francis is all too happy to provide. Even when this leads to things getting a little more heated than intended.