Rivals to Lovers

Two competitors locked in an ongoing rivalry — athletic, academic, professional, or magical — gradually realize their obsession with beating each other has curdled into something much softer. Unlike enemies, rivals usually respect each other from the start.

45,000 works

What is Rivals to Lovers in fanfiction?

Two competitors locked in an ongoing rivalry — athletic, academic, professional, or magical — gradually realize their obsession with beating each other has curdled into something much softer. Unlike enemies, rivals usually respect each other from the start. With over 45,000 works on Archive of Our Own, Rivals to Lovers is one of the most beloved tropes in fanfiction.

Why readers love Rivals to Lovers

Rivalry is already intimacy: nobody studies you as closely as the person trying to defeat you, and readers love watching that scrutiny turn tender.

Examples of Rivals to Lovers

Volleyball captains from opposing schools exchanging heated trash talk that reads suspiciously like flirting, or top students fighting for first place who know each other's habits better than their own friends do.

Best Rivals to Lovers Fanfics

The highest-rated Rivals to Lovers stories across all fandoms on AO3.

1

Shut Up and Dance With Me

Complete

by WittyyName

Lance and his friends have been regulars at the Altea Dance Studio for years. Not just for classes, but to hang out, practice, and spend time with good people who love dancing. Every year, they audition to be one of the few representing Altea at the regional dance competition. Lance always auditions

22,131 kudos 249,827 words ~1000 min read Mature
Alternate Universe - Dance dance au everyone is a dances
2

Select All

Complete

by Regolith (metonym)

Anyway, Shane didn't remember exactly what was in the folder ... But he knew they were all good shots of him. He hastily clicked open the folder, his eyes barely glancing through the dozen or so shots there, vaguely registering a picture with a sunset background from his condo balcony, something of

20,518 kudos 47,304 words ~190 min read Explicit
Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence Texting Sexting
3

Vodka Cranberry

Complete

by kooksie

“I need to sleep,” Ilya murmurs next to him on the bed, his voice distant. “Yeah, me too,” Shane rushes to agree. His fingers drum against his glass of vodka and he chugs the rest in one go. “I should, uh…” He moves to stand up off the bed, the soiled towel dropping from his stomach, and his knees b

17,148 kudos 5,172 words ~21 min read Explicit
Rivals to Lovers Bickering Emotional Hurt/Comfort
4

Then there's the landing

Complete

by Sharleena

The thing about Figure Skating is that it's the most brutal sport disguised as something incredibly beautiful to look at, something elegant and frail.Just like Kim Taehyung.

17,041 kudos 45,910 words ~184 min read Explicit
figure skating AU Figure Skater Jeon Jungkook Figure Skater Kim Taehyung | V
5

International playboy (don't answer)

Complete

by blt_prf

oHI FUCHKED UPI FUUCKED UPYOUR'E NOT NAMJOON yeahwhat I've been trying to tell youorthe one in which Jimin accidentally texts the guy he has a crush on *available to read in multiple languages, check notes

15,327 kudos 137,553 words ~551 min read Mature
Texting Drunk Texting Wrong number
6

don't leave me high (don't leave me dry)

Complete

by emonlispenardstreet

hollyadmirals24: Male seeking help improving at oral sex. Clean, ready to learn and willing to host. M only. Strictly platonic. Message for details.   or: shane and ilya are hockey players for the mcgill marauders. after a disastrous night with rose, shane puts a drunken ad on craigslist asking fo

14,076 kudos 397,418 words ~1590 min read Explicit
Alternate Universe - College/University Alternate Universe - Teammates eating pussy and failing upwards: a shane hollander story
7

baby, not baby

Complete

by SpaceWaffleHouse

The knock at his door comes about five minutes after Shane gets home, three minutes after Shane pees on the stupid sticks, one minute after Shane looks at the fucking pink plus signs, and about thirty seconds after tears spring to his eyes. Shane Hollander, professional hockey player and captain of

13,596 kudos 27,131 words ~109 min read Explicit
Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics Mpreg | Male Pregnancy Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence
8

Costumed Identities

Complete

by Trashness

Lance and Keith are rival cosplayers, who only know each other by their online usernames. They are fiercely competitive, but are also desperately attracted to each other. You'd think they would just get together already, but there's a couple of problems:1. Keith crossplays, so Lance has absolutely n

13,342 kudos 41,538 words ~167 min read Teen And Up Audiences
Alternate Universe - Modern Setting cosplay au Fluff
9

Apogee

Complete

by OpalApparition

Shane Hollander is the youngest Commander in ISS history; straight-backed, closeted, and so tightly on his own leash that seven months in orbit with Ilya Rozanov have not produced a single crack in his composure. Ilya Rozanov is the Russian cosmonaut who should have had his job, won’t stop bouncing

13,195 kudos 50,239 words ~201 min read Explicit
Alternate Universe - Space Porn with Plot Hollanov but make it space
10

With or Without You

Complete

by a1phab3ts0up

“Is it your wedding day?”Shane sputters. “Sorry?”“The tuxedo,” she points out. “You look like you just got married.”“Oh,” Shane says dumbly, glancing down at his rumpled suit. “No,” he adds.-Or the one where that one night in Vegas gets a little out of hand for Ilya and Shane and a marriage by accid

12,802 kudos 109,668 words ~439 min read Mature
Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence Accidental Marriage Fake/Pretend Relationship
11

and so my heart beats wildly

Complete

by lily_winterwood

“You know, you’re the one to beat this year,” Jiang Cheng offers helpfully, having seen the glare from right next to him. “Hanguang-jun’s been through juniors with the rest of us, he knows all of our tics. You’re an unknown variable, since he’s never competed against you before.”“Thanks,” says Wei W

12,670 kudos 106,416 words ~426 min read Explicit
Alternate Universe - Modern Setting Alternate Universe - Modern with Magic Modern Era
12

So Lily is just a buddy?

Complete

by avid_reader64

Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov never hooked up at the CCM commercial. Now it's 2017. Yuna Hollander is concerned that Shane doesn't have many friends, so she signs him up on a buddy network website.Shane gets paired with someone else looking for a 'buddy', not knowing that it's his on-ice rival, I

12,603 kudos 49,834 words ~200 min read Mature
Rivals to Friends to Lovers Texting Texting Fic
13

typing…

Complete

by shaneverse

+1 (617) 555-9214 [image blurred] thinking about u +1 (857) 555-4473 i’m guessing this wasn’t meant for me +1 (617) 555-9214 fuck.or: Shane Hollander receives a thirst trap from an unknown number - and absolutely should not reply, especially considering how much he and Ilya Rozanov can’t stand each

12,300 kudos 21,353 words ~86 min read Not Rated
Texting Ilya Rozanov Needs A Hug Enemies to Friends to Lovers
14

loving too late in the night

by Jazzfordshire

"And you are?" Lena says, holding her hand out to shake. Kara takes it, and puts in every effort not to crush it in her nervousness. Lena's hand is dry and cold where Kara's is uncomfortably hot."Kara Danvers," Kara says, putting on her best smile. "Reporter. It's great to meet you, I think we reall

11,730 kudos 114,168 words ~457 min read Explicit
not quite enemies to lovers it's maybe more like Rivals to Lovers Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence
15

Mr. Answer Man

Complete

by BigPlushShark

In room 1410, Ilya Rozanov is ready to walk out the door after successfully getting his 19 year old hockey rival into bed. He knew how to make this moment happen and he knows what they have to be to each other now that it's over. But as he turns the doorknob to leave, he's stopped with questions he

11,410 kudos 162,602 words ~651 min read Explicit
Canon Autistic Character Autistic Shane Hollander Ilya Rozanov Loves Shane Hollander
16

Here, After

Complete

by BlckOnyx

Ilya opened one of his messages. Have you seen the news? Ilya, call me. Now. Please tell me you already fucking know. Jesus Christ, man. That was it. No context. No explanation. Just panic wrapped in vague bullshit. His jaw locked. “Are you fucking serious right now,” he muttered, thumb scrolling ha

10,704 kudos 21,807 words ~88 min read Not Rated
POV Shane Hollander POV Ilya Rozanov POV Hayden Pike
17

Yeah, My Boyfriend's Pretty Cool (But Not as Cool as Me)

Complete

by paintmegrey

James and Regulus are nominated for the same award. The media starts calling them rivals.In truth, James is honest to god so hot for Regulus, but he just loves stirring up the Media. Chaos ensues.

10,680 kudos 90,165 words ~361 min read Mature
Texting Fic Alternate Universe - Modern Setting media rivalry???
18

black hole fantasy

by hertzbenign

"What if I help you?" Grace blurts out desperately, sweating even in the coolness of his house as his words finally manage to stop Adrian from storming out. "What?" Adrian says after a tense moment. "I can prove it to everyone," Grace says, his heart in his throat. "I'll - I'll make you and Rocky th

10,094 kudos 84,622 words ~339 min read Explicit
Falling In Love Slow Burn but also already being in love
19

Persephone

Complete

by sunflowerb

She was meant to be the price for peace; her life in exchange for the mysterious Dragon Master's mercy.Her captor wasn't supposed to be a ghost from her past, and she wasn't supposed to become his ally...or his lover. And when news spreads of a blonde-haired girl at the Dragon Master's side, there w

10,092 kudos 222,070 words ~889 min read Mature
swiggity swayoo i'm doing a sacrifice au Eventual Sexual Content sorta think medieval bonnie and clyde...with dragons
20

In the Dark

Complete

by Jane_Harl0w

It's their senior year. Izuku, Katsuki and Shoto are allowed on what was supposed to be a short, easy mission—all by themselves. But when things take a turn, Izuku is kidnapped and there's nothing the others can do but wait to save him. When he finally returns, his relationship with Katsuki starts t

10,052 kudos 563,823 words ~2256 min read Mature
Angst with a Happy Ending Slow Burn Childhood Friends

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Rivals to Lovers fics are on AO3?

There are over 45,000 works tagged with Rivals to Lovers on Archive of Our Own.

What fandoms have the most Rivals to Lovers stories?

Popular fandoms for Rivals to Lovers include Harry Potter, My Hero Academia, Haikyuu.

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