Iāve seen discourse online about Ilya only bringing 1 fairly small suitcase to a 2 week stay at Shaneās cottage and itās something Iāve never questioned. People were saying that Ilya must have known he wasnāt going to wear a lot of clothes which is why itās so small. But I think itās because Shane told him he only needs to pack clothes. Knowing how Shane is, he asked Ilya for the exact brands of toiletries, shower supplies, and literally anything else that man could need so he was comfortable in that cottage. Ilya only needed to pack clothes so he did. In one small suitcase for a 2 week stay.
I mean they also had $5 and a dream so thereās that too.
I find it so funny that people are shocked Shane āthe cowboyā Hollander can take Ilyaās 9 so easily their first time. Like my friends, Shane āI have to be good at everythingā Hollander said he has a d*ldo and then didnāt see Ilya for 2 YEARS! You bet he was using that thing constantly to be ready and good for Ilyaās real 9.
Of course Shane āI prefer to be the hole than the pegā Hollander can ride the horse so good. Heās been studying, practicing, and honestly enjoys it SO MUCH he would do it immediately.
2026 is the year that I am doing things that are out of my normal. Iām tired of living this day to day life of the same thing over, over, and over again. The second half of 2025 was one of the worst things Iāve gone through and it made me realize I have the ability to do so much more with my life. I am the person to put my life to where I want it to be and how I want my life to look.
Iām already making changes and choices to make my life what I deserve. I have a longterm project in the works that when itās complete, I cannot wait to share with others.
I know itās the end of February, but Iām so excited for what this year has in store for me and what my life will be like in 10 months.
Itās 2026 and the Ottawa Centaurs are expected to make the playoffs. Ilya (who is a huge fan of BLACKPINK) is listening to their new album Deadline and hears the song Champion. He listens to the song a bunch of times then jokingly posts on Twitter āwhen the Centaurs win the Stanley Cup this year, I want Champion by BLACKPINK to play as our winning song.ā He moves on and doesnāt think about that post ever again.
Fast forward and the Centaurs are in the final game, in their home arena, and winner becomes the Stanley Cup champions. Itās a tied game, 3-3 with less than a minute left in the third period. Ilya passes it to Shane, he swerves out of the way from a defenseman. He passes it back to Ilya and with 5 seconds left, Ilya takes a shot and it goes over the goalies shoulder landing in the top left corner of the net. The siren blares and the Centaurs win the 2026 Stanley Cup.
Shane engulfs Ilya into a hug and the entire team quickly follows. As theyāre all celebrating on the ice Ilya hears the familiar beat of Champion. He tells everyone to shut the fuck up and they all stand there. It registers to the entire team that the song is playing, but not only that. The entire arena is singing to the song. The team is frozen in place taking it all in. As the song comes to an end, the part of the song where BLACKPINK is repeatedly chanting their name, the fans changed it to āCentaurs.ā
Tears well up in Ilyaās eyes and he turns to Shane who has tears in his eyes as well. As the final chorus plays, the entire Centuarās team, excluding Ilya but including Shane, burst into song. Everyone in the arena is singing the last chorus. Ilya joins in and hoists the Stanley Cup in the air.
Short story where Ilya finds an artist named Calum Scott and is listening to the album Bridges.
*I don't write stories so take that into consideration*
Content warning: depression & mentions of suicide
July 2022
Shane walked into the cottage returning with groceries and finds silence in the house. "Ilya?" he calls out, waits a beat and it's silent. "Ilya?" he tries again and the only response is more silence. Worry begins to creep up his stomach as he places the groceries on the counter. Quickly putting them away Shane goes through all the possible scenarios as to why Ilya isn't responding to him.
Ilya could just be in the shower or maybe he is out for a run. Shane texts him, I'm back home, where are you? and turns his phone up to loud. Minutes go by and no response from Ilya. Shane can feel the walls closing in on him and walks to the door overlooking the lake and sees Ilya sitting on the dock.
Ilya doesn't remember how long he's been sitting out here, but he knows it's been a long time because the sun is setting. He's sitting with one leg dangling over the dock and the other hugging his chest. His AirPods are in and turned up too high to be good for his hearing. Ily'a eyes are glassy and he isn't focusing on anything on the lake. All he can focus on is the music in his ears. He just finished the song Flaws on this new album Bridges from an artist he has never heard of before. His usual taste of music is hip hop and r&b, but this album has him captivated.
He feels a vibration from behind him on the dock, quickly snapping out of the haze he was in, grabs his phone and pauses his music. "Hey" Shane says in a worried voice.
"Hey I didn't know you were home" Ilya says surprisingly steady as he stands from where he was sitting and quickly dries his eyes with his hands. He opens his arms and Shane walks into him closing his arms around Ilya's waist.
"Everything okay? I've been calling for you, texted you, and you didn't answer."
"Sorry I had headphones in and my phone is on do not disturb. I did not mean to worry you. Everything is okay, do you need help putting away the groceries?" Ilya releases his embrace with his husband and walks into to the cottage. Shane can't help but feel something is off with Ilya, but moves on because he seems okay.
A couple weeks go by and Ilya has been acting more and more secluded. Isn't talking much and seems to be unfocused in conversation. Shane knows that Ilya's depression can sometimes make him this way so he does what he normally does, he gets Ilya his favorite treats, wraps him in a blanket with cookies and cream ice cream, and loves him hard.
Later that night Shane is home alone because Ila and Svetlana wanted to go out to dinner to catch up after Svetlana has been in Russia for some time. Around midnight, Shane turns over in bed and notices that Ilya isn't in bed yet. He looks at his phone and sees many missed calls from Svetlana. He quickly hits call and sits straight up in bed, heart pounding.
"Shane thank god you answered." Svetlana says immediately after one ring, sounding panicked.
"What's going on? What happened?" Shane can't contain the terror in his voice.
"Ilya is safe and we're coming back to the cottage. But Shane, Ilya is not doing good." Svetlana pauses and Shane's heart drops.
Shane's breathing quickens and tears prickle his eyes. "Svetlana tell me what happened." he somehow manages to get out.
Shane can hear Svetlana take a deep breath. "He drank too much and began crying. I donāt know why, but this has never happened before.ā
A deep breath finally enters Shaneās body, but the panic is still there. āLet me know when youāre here and Iāll help you bring him in.ā
Twenty minutes later Shane is opening the door and sees Svetlana carrying a very drunk Ilya. āN-n-no put me down I have a husband!ā Ilya is saying a tad too loudly while trying to get out of Svetlanaās grip.
āIlya shut upā Shane says, not being able to contain a smile, and Ilya looks forward, eyes glazed.
āMy husbaaaaaaaaand!ā Ilya says sloppily and reaches forward, falling into Shane's arms.
Shane and Svetlana bring him inside and put him to bed.
āAre you sure thatās all it was?ā Shane asks her as theyāre standing at the bedroom door watching Ilya sleep with a pillow hugged to his chest.
āIām not sure. He seemed distracted all night. Iām sorry for letting him drink so much. Heās going to be insufferable tomorrow.ā
āWeāll deal with that when it happens. Do you want to stay the night? The guest room down the hall has been redone recently.ā
āYeah, that sounds good. Thanks Shane.ā Svetlana and Shane hug, say their good nights, and she goes off. Shane turns to look at his husband and sadness canāt help but creep into Shane.
Shane pulls into the driveway the next night after dropping Svetlana off at her AirBnB. He notices that no lights are on except for a small light coming from the living room. As he's walking up to the front door he hears the beat of a song. It's common for Ilya to blast music, but the beat of this feels different. Shane approaches the front door and can hear the tune now, it's a much slower song than Ilya normally listens to. He stands outside the cottage for a bit listening to the beginning of the song.
I waived the white flag, I gave all I had. I'd even given up on love itself. Soaked by my tears, I was choked by my fears.
He freezes before he can put the key in the door. His eyes start to water. Why is he listening to this?
Oh, I used to walk on bridges with one thing on my mind. Do I wanna live or do I wanna die? Staring at the waters trying to decide. Between the pain that I've been living with or the pain I'd leave behind.
He frantically unlocks the front door, "Ilya?" Shane yells into the house. He doesn't hear a response and he begins to tremble. He runs into the living room and sees Ilya curled up into a ball on the floor, back facing Shane. "Ilya." Shane says just above a whisper.
Ilya lifts his head and slightly turns it towards Shane. Tears are streaming down his face. He's crying. "I-I-" he can't finish before he begins sobbing again. Shane walks over to Ilya and sits behind him, placing a hand on his back.
"Hey, hey, hey." Shane says and lifts Ilya. He turns Ilya to face him and takes his face in his hands. "Talk to me." Shane pauses the music coming through the HomePod.
Ilya doesn't respond, just pulls Shane into a hug and breaks down on his shoulder. After sometime has passed...
"I'm sorry Shane. I'm not doing good. Bad. No. Horrible, probably. My mind can't stop. I can't stop." Ilya begins trembling. "I feel like shit. Worthless. Unlovable. I wish he knew me. I wish he accepted me. I wish she didn't die. I don't deserve any happiness. I don't deserve..." you, to live. He starts breathing heavy and uncontrollably sobs into his husband's shoulder.
Shane remains quiet. He embraces Ilya, rubbing his back and rocking him back and forth. They sit there, on the floor of their dimly lit living room. Half an hour later Ilya's breathing has calmed, his crying has subsided, and he feels numb.
Shane leans back to look at Ilya's face and grabs his face with both hands. He wipes Ilya's tears aways softly with his thumbs. "Ilya, my love. I've seen you withdraw these past few weeks from the moment I found you on the dock. You promised to tell me when your brain gets bad again, but I'm not mad at you at all. I know this is difficult." Shane takes a beat to let what he said soak in. "You were listening to Calum Scott again, weren't you?"
Ilya looks up, stunned. "How did you...?"
Shane gives him a small smile, "we share an Apple Music account, remember? You've been listening to Bridges for almost a month. He isn't an artist you listen to so I listened to the album." Ilya just stares at Shane, tears welling in his eyes again. "This is a deep album. The lyrics and songs are emotional. Especially the last two songs Boys In The Street and Bridges. Baby, I'm sorry you're feeling this way but always remember that you do deserve me and you deserve to live. I'm sorry your father did not get to know you, that your brother can't accept you." He places his hand on Ilya's chest, directly over the crucifix and ring necklace. "Your mother is always with you. She will forever be with you, and I will forever be with you."
Ilya's brain is so scrambled he can't understand how Shane knew what to say. Silent tears fall from Ilya's eyes and he leans in and lightly presses his lips against Shanes. Shane deepens the kiss slightly as if saying I am always here for you, my love. "Why don't I bust out the ice cream and we can sit here. Or we can watch a movie."
Ilya nods and hugs his husband. Tighter, like the first time they hugged all those years ago in the hotel room during the All-Star games.
When season 2 airs I am BEGGING you all to not be mean to the actors who will play Dallas Kent and Commissioner Crowell. Be mean to the characters all you want, but leave the actors separate! They know theyāre taking on roles that are disliked by the fans, so please go easy on them.
If Diamonds is going to be their wedding song, I need Jacob to use the most beautiful and heart wrenching slow version ever created. I will not be able to take that wedding seriously if itās the true song.
I also donāt think the true song would be used because that could be expensive af
I stan Hudson, Connor, Robbie, and Francois HARDDDD.
I am so excited to welcome the actors who will play Troy, Harries, Ryan, and Fabian into my stanhood.
*The Long Game spoilers ahead*
My predictions on season 2 areā¦
1. We get a full episode of Role Model because I did see Jacob talk about how you canāt have The Long Game without Role Model. Like how we canāt have Heated Rivalry without Game Changer.
2. We get the double date scene between Ryan, Fabian, Shane, and Ilya. I would love to see how Hudson portrays Shaneās internalized homophobia over seeing Fabian. Then we get the concert scene because that adds to the dialogue of Shaneās exploration and acceptance of other queer people.
3. Troyās Pride Night scene(s) are used as Scott & Kippās TV kiss from season 1. I think thatāll be so powerful.
4. The plane incident.
5. The proposal.
6. The wedding with the Pike kids (who BETTER NOT be invisible like season 1!).
7. The trophy room.
8. Ilya going to Harrisās familyās home
9. Ilya interacting with any dog. Ever.
10. Shaneās hair in a bun + glasses combo
11. The intimate scene in the hotel room of the All-Star game with players outside the door.
Thereās definitely more but my brain is scattered in thinking of what I want for this season. Regardless of what Jacob, Rachel, and the rest of the crew come up with I know Iām going to full enjoy season 2 and sob even harder than I did reading the book (twice).
I just finished Role Model and I can see why Troy and Harries are loved so much in the fandom. They are so sweet as individuals and together, their backgrounds are heartbreaking and makes so much sense as to who they are as adults. The love they have for each other and the build up to them becoming a couple was so sweet. Rachel wrote this book so well and did these characters so much justice. I cried so much.
They put drugs in this show, and this edit is the closest I've come to being able to snort it like cocaine. Excluding binging the entire show in 6 hours after first turning on episode one to see what all the fuss was about.
I mean I get that because since we were 17 the MLH has pinned us against each other since weāre the two most skilled and talented hockey players of our generation who have been put on teams that have a longstanding rivalry. I actually have so much respect for him as a hockey player and a person. Heās the best player in the league and is an amazing person to play against. He challenges me in every way possible and makes me be a better player.
You know this makes me realize how hungry I am for a proper exploration of this idea. I've only read Heated Rivalry (and dont wanna read The Long Game/Unrivaled until s2/s3? come out) and maybe my biggest gripe with the show/book is that the rivalry itself feels really underdeveloped to me. Like most of the show is characters being like "but they are rivals!" but we never really see them butt heads or get pinned against each other bc we never really see the hockey. So its a lot of telling and not showing so I dont really feel how they are supposed to hate each other.
So I'd love a fic that explores this part of the story more, that expands on the canon to show us them actually being rivals
I can see how the rivalry part feels underdeveloped, but I donāt think it is. To me, the lack of narration of the rivalry in Shaneās and Ilyaās povās makes sense. They donāt see each other as rivals in the sense that everyone else does. From what we see in the show and in the book (I also havenāt read The Long Game) itās mainly the commentators, MLH, and people surrounding them that move this rivalry narrative along. Shane and Ilya throughout the book talk up the rivalry in various ways but only through other people starting it (interviews, Shaneās parents, articles, the nurse in the hospital, their teammates, etc.). Shane and Ilya only joke about their rivalry (to each other, but still) and play it up to make their secret even more of a secret.
Their rivalry does pop up during their playing in the few instances we see: shit-talking at the center line and being shoved to the boards to name a few.
They see each other as rivals in the needing to be better than the other person in a friendly way. Theyāve never hated each other. From the beginning with the hotel gym to the end, theyāre rivals in a āweāre best friends but I have to be better hahaā kind of way. They run up the stairs to get to Shaneās apartment, who can go further on the stationary bike (or treadmill from the book), who can score more goals, and stuff like that.
It would be cool to see a fic where there is an actual rivalry between the two.
I hope this helps some with the nuance of the rivalry in the plot.
I mean I get that because since we were 17 the MLH has pinned us against each other since weāre the two most skilled and talented hockey players of our generation who have been put on teams that have a longstanding rivalry. I actually have so much respect for him as a hockey player and a person. Heās the best player in the league and is an amazing person to play against. He challenges me in every way possible and makes me be a better player.
Iām rewatching it again (duh) and itās occurred to me that there are so many chances for Shane and Ilya to turn this āthey hate each other rivalryā narrative into a friendly one. I just finished episode 1 and they could have used the All-Star skills as a starting point, the interview scene could have been a starting point, as well as the MLH awards party, and also the commercial they shoot together.
I know why they couldnāt, the MLH would have haaaated the fact that they spent so much time putting these two against each other just for them to be friends. Their coaches probably would have been pissed and especially Yuna! Obviously adds to the drama and storyline that they donāt do that, but they honestly add so much stress in their 10+ secret by just not changing the narrative sooner.
To be fair they are obsessed with each other from the beginning so maybe it would have been extra difficult to keep it a secret. Youāre telling me the foot taps in the interview were casual????? Okay dude.
