Apologies, the origin story of the gay Marvel fanfic "Heated Rivalry" is not accurate.

Fans of Reids books have speculated that Scott and Kips relationship originated from Stucky fanfictionromantic stories featuring Captain America and Bucky Barnes. Following the airing of Hunter, side-by-side comparisons of Chris Evans and Scott Hunter in similar gear circulated online, reigniting the rumor. However, this backstory is inaccurate.

Reid clarified that she began crafting Scott and Kips story in 2016 while balancing family life, a day job, and reading fanfiction. I was nervous; Id never shared my writing before, she explained. The fanfiction platform Archive of Our Own (AO3) provided a low-pressure space to experiment. Initially, she posted a serialized version of the novel as an alternate-universe story featuring Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes in a hockey-themed romance, but she always intended Kip to be an original character.

Reid noted that Scotts resemblance to Chris Evans was coincidental, reflecting popular trends in romance fiction at the time. Encouraged by positive responses, she eventually removed the Stucky elements and submitted her manuscript to publishers, who requested revisions. With editorial guidance, Reid condensed the manuscript into a standard-length romance novel, establishing the foundation for the Game Changers universe.

Looking back, Reid feels both embarrassed and grateful. She regrets posting the early fanfiction but acknowledges that her experience on AO3 helped her grow as a writer. I dislike that its still online, but thats the nature of the internet, she said. New episodes of Heated Rivalry continue to release every Thursday on HBO Max.

Author: Jackson Miller