I have become obsessed with this genre of fic written in POVs that look at Shane and Ilya's relationship from the outside. Not only do they always bring such neat perspectives and juicy humour, but always a lot of heart. I've found this especially true with fics written specifically from Hayden's eyes. As the best friend of a guy who holds his cards close, his discovery journey's are often a fun and wild ride.
💖remember to kudos & comment on fics you read 💖
🏒 911, Jackie speaking by camiii / @camiii - 6k
“Jackie?” Shane’s question cuts through the silence, and Jackie winces at the frantic rasp of his voice.
“Right here, honey.” She tries to keep her voice light, wrapping her hand around Hayden’s wrist and meeting his worried gaze over the phone. “What’s going on?”
- Ilya is hurt, but the hospital will only talk to "Jane".
zannithinks: what an absolute beauty of a story. Seeing the boys through Jackie's eyes was so special, shattering preconceptions, redefining the meaning of friendship, and highlighting the importance of the right to be there for the ones you love.
🏒 Maybe: Jane by anatomybygreys - 5k
The Boston Raiders tease Rozanov about his mystery long distance girlfriend, sending Jane stories and embarrassing pictures of Ilya. Shane and Ilya don’t think much of it - until Theo Michaud gets traded to from Boston to Montreal and updates his contact list.
zannithinks: this was perfection, a retroactively obvious but never seen before complication; featuring a lovely sense of team camaraderie and Ilya's attention-loving antics. Special nod to Hayden and Shane who are the definition of Subtle (yikes)
🏒 It’s Always Hollander and Rozanov, Right? by Internerdionality / @internerdionality - 5k
Five times Scott Hunter thinks about Hollander and Rozanov together, and the one time he gets to watch.
zannithinks: this is what we all secretly wanted! Scott clocking the boys, and liking what he sees more than he thinks he should. That final scene is soooo hot!
🏒 moments to be tolerated by thestarsarewinning - 3k
There’s a muffled shout from next door. And another. Hollander, Luca thinks, and then wishes he hadn’t been able to tell.
- five times the Centaurs hear Shane and Ilya having sex, and one time no one hears
zannithinks: what a fun little ride through the trials and tribulations of having Shane and Ilya on your team, for better or for worse (RIP) those poor boys
🏒 Drunk and Disorderly by FireflyAlchemist - 3k
“Wait, Mr. Raiders fan,” Rozanov calls.
Constable Sullivan pauses.
“I get a phone call, yes?”
- Unable to do what he normally does after Montreal games, Ilya goes out to a club, gets super drunk, and ends up getting picked up by Montreal police for public intoxication. Sitting in a holding cell, the only number he can remember is Shane's.
zannithinks: what a sweet character study of our favourite bad boy who's secretly a marshmallow. This ends with tooth-rotting sweetness!
🏒 you bottom feeder by heyy_jude - 2k
He heard a rough grunt, and then Rozanov’s voice. “Get on your knees.” A muffled thump. Rozanov moaned appreciatively.
- Scott Hunter overhears something he shouldn't have. He enjoys it a little too much.
zannithinks: ok this is just a fun and fantastic consideration for everyone - Scott deserves more orgasms after all the grief these two give him!
🏒 The Elevator by Lexi_Leckstar - 1k
Yuna shot up.
“The elevator!” she screamed in horror.
- Yuna wakes up the night after Shane and Ilya came out to them.
zannithinks: what a funny little premise paired with a big squeeze to the heart from a mom just trying her best.
🏒 I Like Jane For You by Icopythefax / @exactphoify - 17k
After a mix-up leaves Hayden with the wrong phone for three days, he ends up learning more about Ilya Rozanov and his secret girlfriend, Jane.
zannithinks: you may notice I say that every fic is my favourite Hayden-discovery fic, but THIS ONE holds a truly special place in my heart. This legitimately had me on the floor unable to breathe through the entire range of human emotions. If you read any fic, it must be this one!
🏒 your good buddy lily by larry_larson / @larcenistarsonist - 17k
of all things, hayden doesn't expect a t-shirt to be the thing that exposes it all
zannithinks: oooh this one stands out for the way it touches on Hayden's complex emotions surrounding Shane, beyond friendship and into the intricacies of being celebrity athletes. A great look at what's beyond the mask of a supportive best friend, and it isn't always pretty. A standing ovation from me!
🏒 Hayden Gets The Message by KarsKars - 5k
He hadn’t meant to look. Honest. He really hadn’t. But Shane was in the shower, and Hayden had picked up what he’d thought was HIS phone.
- Hayden starts to put the pieces together and figures things out much sooner than expected.
zannithinks: Hayden playing Sherlock Holmes is a kink of mine.
🏒 the other line by Anonymous - 5k
Shane's not that subtle.
- the phone call from Hayden's side.
zannithinks: ok I love the turmoil in this one, and I actually love just how turned on Hayden gets from not only Shane's voice but knowing he's coming undone.
🏒 hayden pike v the ‘lily’ thing by goldengalaxies - 4k
“Just hang up.”
A very, very familiar Russian voice.
What the fuck?
Ilya goddamn Rozanov was with Shane, at the cottage. With Shane.
- hayden has a long standing dislike for ‘lily’. a second phone call at the cottage makes him dislike lily even more
zannithinks: this author has an entire series of outisder POVs focused around the discovery of hollanov, and honestly each one is fantastic! This one I particularly enjoyed for it's short scenes through the whole timeline and Hayden being a true Hater right from the beginning.
🏒 you his boyfriend or something? by ingberry - 2k
Shane is at a sports bar in Tampa when people at his table start talking shit about Ilya. It becomes impossible to keep his mouth shut.
- an alternative retelling of how Hayden finds out.
zannithinks: Technically this isn't Hayden's POV, but... it's still mostly about our beloved best friend. The last few lines took me out at the knees.
🏒 take away the salt from your eyes by playinginthunderstorms / @playinginthunderstorms - 2k
"Shane."
"What," Shane snaps, yanking off his shirt. Then he freezes, holding onto it with both hands like he's only realized what he's been wearing, and says with equal vehemency, "Fuck," and flings it toward the headboard. "Fuck!" He says again, louder.
- Shane gets back to his hotel room after running away from Ilya's place in Boston and panics. Hayden is also there.
zannithinks: ok this has to be at the top of my list of Hayden discoveries. The dialogue, the mess of emotions, the authenticity in every word. love love love to see it!
more rec lists: canon/canon divergent | a/b/o + bdsm au | outsider pov + hayden
