pale_in_comparison
Recent bookmarks
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Amongst the Orange Trees by luainthewild
Fandoms: Red White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston
11 Jun 2024
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Summary
June 2023, Italy.
Amongst the orange trees, Henry slowly finds his writer’s soul again. He has been feeling lonely for a while, meaninglessly pursuing a degree that was picked for him, shutting himself away from who he really is and what he really wants. In Pez’s family house on the Amalfi coast, time slows and he can breathe again. Yet, he still feels like something is missing to make him feel complete.
Alex has run away. Asphyxiated by the pressure he has put on himself for years, running without a destination until his legs give way under the unbearable heaviness of his own expectations, he suddenly realizes that he doesn’t know who he is or why he is doing it all. He tries to find solace in the forms of salt water drying on his skin and endless blue washing away the harsh colors of the city. Yet, he still feels like something is missing to make him feel complete.
As dawn washes ancient stones in a golden hue, two boys meet amongst the statues. As dusk sets on the cerulean sea, Alex and Henry find their way to each other’s souls.
- Language:
- English
- Words:
- 27,436
- Chapters:
- 5/5
- Collections:
- 1
- Comments:
- 89
- Kudos:
- 162
- Bookmarks:
- 49
- Hits:
- 4,141
Bookmarked by pale_in_comparison
28 Jun 2026
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waiting to be picked, come on cut me free by goodluckbabe69
Fandoms: Red White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston, Red White & Royal Blue (2023)
27 Jan 2025
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Summary
As he climbs off the bed and backs into a corner, looking around frantically, the bedroom somehow doesn't feel unfamiliar. If anything, it feels calm and safe which is confusing until the realization hits him like a truck, and he nearly falls to his knees from the tidal wave of feelings that wash over him. He'd heard about this from his parents.
He has a soulmate.
Soulmate AU where you can be blessed with a future vision of yourself and your soulmate, Henry's version <3
Series
- Part 2 of living la dolce vida
Bookmarked by pale_in_comparison
25 Jun 2026
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my heated rivalry anon fics by Anonymous
Fandom Game Changers | Heated Rivalry - All Media Types, Heated Rivalry (TV)
10 Jul 2026
Summary
unconnected hollanov/heated rivalry fics all by the same author (it's me, i'm the author) // blanket permission for translations (posted on ao3/linked), podfics (posted on ao3/linked), art of any kind inspired by the fics in this collection! i would love to know about them though
- Words:
- 350,452
- Works:
- 14
- Bookmarks:
- 4,394
Bookmarked by pale_in_comparison
25 May 2026
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Alex's Song by readtolove
Fandoms: Red White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston, Red White & Royal Blue (2023)
12 Nov 2024
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Summary
“Alex,” he whispers, “you can kiss me back. Do you still want to?”
How can he explain to Henry how terrifying it suddenly is to want to? Because if he kisses that enchanting mouth, he may never recover.
And then Alex remembers a different version of himself. A younger version, less knocked around by life. That Alex would jump and just hope it wasn’t a cliff.
That Alex has picked himself up off the rocks too many times.
But the alternative is to miss this.
There’s only one Henry in the world: A piano-playing poet who’s making his and Dad’s lives immeasurably better. And he’s waiting, both hands on Alex’s face, to find out if Alex still wants to kiss him.
So he jumps. Again. And if it’s a cliff, he’ll pick himself up off the rocks.
Again.
“Yes,” he whispers, threading his fingers into Henry’s hair, “I still do.”Bookmarked by pale_in_comparison
17 Apr 2026
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Step By Step by greygreta (GretchenAgape)
Fandoms: Red White & Royal Blue - Casey McQuiston, Red White & Royal Blue (2023)
07 Aug 2025
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Summary
Alex crossed the ocean aimlessly, backpack slung over his shoulder, arriving at a sleepy coastal town only to learn no lodgings were available—except at the community's oldest residence: a struggling bookstore no one else would consider. He approached seeking shelter, uncertain whether Henry Fox, the owner, would take him in.
Or, bookshop owner Henry shelters aimless traveler Alex by chance, a brooding bookworm collides with a fiery spirit
Series
- Part 8 of Firstprince Short Stories
Bookmarked by pale_in_comparison
15 Apr 2026